1. Growing Up
I was always a music lover and performed in operas, musicals, theatre, TV commercials – you name it! Fully had a stage mum! I had some amazing experiences and met some very talented people that mentored me to be the musician I am today.
2. Inspirations
The first album I ever bought was on a hot date after the movies with some lucky babe in year 5 or 6. I hit up Nelly Furtado’s ‘I’m Like A Bird’ (#noregrets)! Creatively, the penny dropped when I started listening to Bon Iver, Jeff Buckley and Radiohead. That’s around the same time I started writing and producing at home, and started working in a recording studio. I was going through some tough times and music really was my outlet to express that. At the moment, I’m digging Jon Hopkins, Kendrick’s new album (on repeat), Tycho, Cactus Channel, and Mac Demarco 4 lyf!
3. Your Band
Mammals is the vibe that I’ve recorded and produced over the last four or more years. I usually start writing in the studio which is now at my place down in Mollymook. I mixed the first EP ANIMALIA with the help from my former band mate Nat Joyce. The most recent track ‘Chase Your Bliss’ was mixed by the wizard Matt Redlich and mastered by King Willy. Having your music mixed by someone else takes it to the next level. I would strongly recommend!
The live set up we play with are absolute legends: Henry Wells (Asian Jimmy Hendrix), Steve De Wilde (amazing facial hair), Charlie White (sexy Jesus) and myself (annoying drunk surfer bogan).
4. The Music You Make
When I’m writing and producing, I’m always searching for that lush, beautiful atmosphere. It’s the total vibe right there, in a synth or chord. That’s where the whole song builds from. Mollymook is the most beautiful place in the world! I am so inspired by the ocean and the coastline. I usually go for a surf and work on lyrics in the water, hit up some recording and repeat. Some of my top lines and lyrics on certain songs are also collaborations, which is so much fun to jam with good friends.
5. Music, Right Here, Right Now
We just finished up a tour with Vera Blue and Pilgrims, which was amazing. It was interesting to see the different crowds and music scenes all around Australia. Like all other Sydney musicians, I feel we are deprived of culture and nightlife, which takes a huge toll on the music scene. So many good venues have closed and if you look like you’re having fun, you don’t get let in, or you get kicked out. Let’s be real here: getting loose is the sickest!
Mammals play the Chippo Hotel on Saturday June 17; their EP Chase Your Bliss is out now.
