How many beats do you listen to before you end up using one? Tell us a few things about your creative process.
I listen to about 15 beats before using one. My process begins with purpose, to communicate a message or emotion. I disect, contemplate, and develop that idea into a story. Next, I find a beat that matches the mood and further excites me. Finally, I convert all that preperation into music.
Which song of the EP reflects you the most?
She Kept It Real. It is the longest of the three tracks. It features my rapping and singing and explores diverse parts of my psyche.
Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?
Favourite rapper and lyricits is Drake. Favourite producer is Boi-1da.
What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?
To me hip hop symolizes a cool spirit and provokative authenticy.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
Motivated and inspired for Wholehearted. Sad and contemplative for Frank’s Crib and She Kept It Real.
What is the most useless talent you have?
I can crack my ankles an infinite amount of times.
Low Ambition Day is the fourth in a series of clubby, lounge Jazz albums I wrote and recorded at my small studio in Sydney. I try and give the feel of a late night bar or jazz club, with a bit of a retro vibe. Its kind of old fashioned but I hope it works. We are still in lockdown here, so it’s the closest I get to going out
Which song of the album reflects you the most?
Low Ambition Day. It’s written tongue in cheek, and originally about politics, but became an ironic lament- haha
Favourite album of the past decade?
I don’t know if it was released in the last ten years, but I have been enjoying Combo 66 by John Scofield, really nice, timeless stuff. I love the St Germain album, Tourist, as well- I find myself listening to that quite often.
What would be your dream performance venue?
Ronnie Scott’s in London. But I just dream at home in the studio!
When not writing music, how do you spend your time?
Well, we are in lockdown still, so I do a lot of home schooling with my youngest daughter-that keeps me very busy.
One last thing we should know about you?
I am currently putting the finishing touches on the next album, that will be released in the coming months. It is a pretty cool, bluesy jazz piece that’s coming together quite nicely, I think. I’ll keep you posted:))
Our sound can be best describes ad Electro, Soul, Pop.
Your music has an experimental tone. Should music as a form of art always challenge the listener?
Yes its been a long time coming but I always believe it should challenge the listeners but also give them something new and unexpected that way their go on a journey of discovery as you tell the story in song form of sound and words.
What is the main topic of your lyrics?
The main topic is about love and friendship.
Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?
Amber Oliver I absolutely love her voice.
What would you change in the music industry?
I wouldn’t change anything about it, I would just stay away from it looool
What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?
thats a hard one I love movies, but I would say it has to be the Disney animation movie soul.
Future plans?
im writing more music and will be putting a mixtape and an ep out soon, and hopefully a few gigs in the pipeline.
Tell us a few things about your new song. What is the story behind it?
“We Both Know” is written about friendship that has all the signs of developing into something more, but being afraid to take things to the next level, for whatever reason. It’s an honest conversation from the perspective of the person who wants to explore what things could be.
Do you like the idea of collaborating? Is songwriting a lonely process?
Collaborating can be fun! I used to be part of a band, and I found that we would often get the best ideas out of each other, and it helps to have someone there to immediately bounce off what sounds good and what doesn’t. I also featured an amazing guitarist named Uli Vinckers on my second single.
Right now, though, the songs I’m writing are contemplative and personal, and I like to get into a headspace where I’m digging deep to try and channel the raw emotion into a song. So, that often requires some alone time.
Favourite album of the past year?
Nectar by Joji. I feel like he somehow manages to weave in a sense of optimism amidst the melancholic impression that you might initially get from his music. The way he uses vocals to add different textures and non-traditional sounds – harnessing the instrumental power of the voice. I also enjoy albums where it feels like there was thoughtful intention behind how the songs flow from one song to the next.
Can you share something funny that happened during one of your gigs? And what would be your dream performance venue?
One time, we were playing at a venue in Cape Town, and a fan that had had a little too much to drink, climbed up on to the stage and started “twerking” on me, I guess – while my girlfriend was in the front row! I kept trying to move out of the way, but she was very persistent and even grabbed the mic to try and sing with me at one point.
Wembley Stadium! It’s on my vision board, and I will sell out my own show there one day.
When not writing music, how do you spend your time?
Producing music for other artists. I’m in love with music production, and when I’m not working on my own music, I take on projects with talented artists that want me to help them bring their sound to life.
As far as hobbies outside of music, I’m a sucker for a good series. Recently. binged all three seasons of Stranger Things.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
Try to create a life that you look forward to when you wake up everyday
Your sound has a nostalgic touch. What is your creative process like? And what is the main idea behind your last single?
My creative process usually involves me sitting at the piano and improvising until I come up with something that catches my ear. Once I’ve found that golden progression or melody I can start to build up the essence of the song.
Lyrically ‘Sun Affair’ is a summer song through and through. It’s ultimately about heading down to your favourite spot with your mates and having some beers. It’s those times when you put everything in your life aside to enjoy those golden afternoons under the sun.
What comes first in your music? Lyrics or music?
When I write it’s usually the music first but for this track I actually had the chorus lyrics down before I went near a piano.
Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?
Tatsuro Yamashita, the king of City Pop! He’s not a hidden gem in certain circles (especially in Japan) but not as known as he should be. Tyler the Creator even sampled him recently so he is out there but is definitely worth a deep dive.
What would you change in the music industry?
I’d love to see more focus put on intricate songwriting and arranging rather than image and spectacle.
What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?
Well I definitely watched a lot of average movies during quarantine and they have their place but the best movie I watched was ‘Midsommar’. Super unsettling and creepy but in a real slow-burn kind of way. Don’t watch with dinner!
One last thing we should know about you?
I also compose contemporary classical music under my actual name Wesley Stormer. It’s pretty different from my Sun Affair stuff but feel free to check it out.
Is Nightmare On Elm Street based on real life experiences?
Yea definitely. I have some ex’s that I never want to see again because they took a toll on my mental health and my heart. Then I also here stories from people I know that went through the same things. So it’s a mixture of my experiences and others around me.
What is your creative process like?
Well I love finding the right beat first. It has to speak to me and tap into an emotion or memory of mine. Once that happens I just let my soul speak through my pen and create from there. I let the rawness come out and I tweak what needs to be tweaked. But I try to keep it as raw as possible.
What first got you into music?
My older sister actually. I used to see her battle guys she knew around the neighborhood and I was so impressed by the way the crowd reacted and the trance music can put people in. She had everyone’s full attention. I loved that. I fell in love with the whole art form after that.
What do you enjoy most? Writing music or performing your music live?
I love both. The writing process is like therapy for me and it’s a rare time I get to spend time with myself. It’s like medicine for the soul when that happens. Performing live is a drug that breathes new life in the songs I make. Feeding off the energy of the crowd is special too. There is nothing like it in the world.
Is Spotify the music industry’s new Gatekeepers?
I think Spotify plays a part but the true Gatekeepers will always be your fans. If people really love your music they can be more powerful than any streaming company. They will find your songs by any means necessary and spread the word about it.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
When they are ready to love themselves. Not just the good parts. The flaws too. When they are ready to completely become vulnerable and not be afraid to feel something. Thats when my music fits right in.
What would you say is your biggest vice?
I fall in love with the art too much. When you do that you start to lose track of time and lose valuable moments in life. Finding that balance is hard to do.
Basically, the work is divided into three days. On the first day, we set up a simple beat and then record as many ideas as we can think of to create a prototype for the song. The second day is spent stripping away the unnecessary sounds from the first day’s recordings. Once the song is finished, we take a walk and listen to it over and over again. This makes it easier to find areas for improvement. The third day is for fine-tuning the arrangement and mixing. Too much attention to detail often makes things worse, so I finish the work in moderation. I leave the mastering to AI, so it’s very easy.
How difficult is it to promote instrumental music nowadays?
I don’t think so. Without a doubt, instrumental music is being heard more than ever before. And for someone like me, who lives in a non-English speaking country and can only speak my native language, instrumental music is an important way to cross borders.
Your music has very sweet grooves. Tell us a song with a groove you wish you have composed yourself
The Pharcyde – Runnin’
Favourite album of the past decade?
This is a very difficult question. The one I can think of right now is Malibu by Anderson .Paak.
Favorite music related film?
I’m not much of a movie watcher, but Sister Act is one of my favorite movies.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
No matter what path you take, it all leads to one.
Tell us a few things about INJURY NOGRACE and your creative process in general.
INJURY NOGRACE is really just a collection of songs that i’ve made from the past year and half or so. Matter of fact, the lyrics on second part of ‘pretty like my dior’ dates back as far as december of 2019. My creative process really aint nothing special, i dont think. I’m just going through my day to day and if i feel like i have a melody or some lyrics in my head, i’ll jot it down on my phone. But nothing really materializes out of that right away. I’m always just thinking of concepts, there’s so much happening in my life that might not always be huge but it’s enough to over-analyze and make a song out of. I over-analyze everything and that doesn’t help my well-being. But hey, INJURY NOGRACE is a product of those unhealthy circumstances. Basically what i’m saying is is that if i ever fuck up in my life and i’m just going through it, at least i’ll know a great project will come out of it.
Well done for releasing a full album. But do people listen to full albums nowadays?
I don’t know. I know I do. If I have 1 or 2 dope songs on my album that someone is fucking with heavy, then i know they’ll be like “alright, lemme run through this whole thing real quick”. That’s why I like to switch up the styles on my project, so there’s something in there for anyone and everyone. I think that’s what’s key about making a full-length project; making sure you have enough interesting things to offer the listener so they don’t get bored. If you don’t think you have enough things to say that will keep the listener captivated then don’t release an album. It’s like when I see an anime that has like 70 seasons, I’m like ‘what the fuck’. How can this show have that much of a great story to tell? It’s crazy. But all in all, if people can’t keep up with the full album, then they won’t, but there’s people that can and fuck with it, so it is what it is. Maybe it’s an attention-span thing. That’s actually why I made sure the first half of the album was filled with the hype shit, the bangers.
Freedom, reflection, hype or chilling. How do all these fit together in your music?
i explore all those avenues and styles in my music, especially in INJURY NOGRACE. And I love to just reflect on my own shit that i got going on in my life through my music. And the songs that I make when I’m in that reflective headspace are usually my favorite because that’s like the only way I can express unfiltered emotions and shit. But I love just making songs that are hype and a chill vibe that my homies can just smoke to or something. Thats been like my main goal as of late.
Best rap album ever?
that’s a toss up between ‘Operation: Doomsday’ and ‘Acid Rap’
What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?
Lars and the Real Girl. Ryan gosling don’t miss.
One last thing we should know about you?
I dont know what’s worth knowing about me. INJURY NOGRACE out on all platforms tho.
Tell us a few things about your new song “I’m So Broke”. It certainly has a playful vibe. What is the story behind it?
The song originated from writing about my own mental health issues: depression and anxiety. I can sometimes feel up or down or round or backwards – anything goes! It’s about feeling a little ‘unhinged’ in your mind.
However, I didn’t want to write just another typical sad and woeful tune, so I made the music playful and cheeky instead, to lift the spirits of those who might relate to the sentiment behind the lyrics.
Do you like the idea of collaborating? Is songwriting a lonely process?
Only in the past 3 years have I begun collaborating – for me, songwriting is such an intimate, personal experience that it was hard to express such vulnerability with others at first. However, when I began expanding my bubble and collaborating with various songwriters and producers, it really helped to deepen my lyrical and production skills so now I love collaborating too. I don’t find songwriting is a lonely process at all. Very comforting, in fact.
Favourite album of the past decade?
Yikes, that is a tough one. It would have to either be Lana Del Rey’s ‘Born To Die’, or Vera Blue’s ‘Perennial’. Both struck a magical, positive chord with me and I’m obsessed with both artists!
Is Spotify the music industry’s new Gatekeepers?
I don’t think so. Although I do love Spotify, and I appreciate how it has established a different, accessible pathway for people to discover new indie artists, I do not agree with how it pays the artists. They need to improve their royalty payment system dramatically in order to be taken seriously and respected by all artists in this business.
What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?
Having not been someone who watched any streaming channels pre-COVID, I had A LOT of catching up to do on the streaming TV show front when Australia first went into lockdown in 2020. And I’d have to say ‘Schitt’s Creek’ and ‘Atypical’ helped to keep me sane and happy during that initial time. I highly recommend!
One last thing we should know about you?
Something that people might not know about me is that I’m actually passionate about wildlife and became a qualified zookeeper in 2017. Although music eventually called me back, and I’ve never actually been employed as a keeper, I’m still a huge supporter for wildlife conservation and will do whatever possible to improve the lives of endangered animals where I can.
This new EP was written mainly for myself, its about accepting past trauma, even if you’re not ready to move on. I gave myself a challenge to push my boundaries and write in a genre I love but never thought I could accomplish.
Which song of the EP reflects you the most?
Definitely ‘Lemon’, I overthink a lot and I’m a very emotional person, but I’m also very stubborn and don’t let people in easily! The song is just about this pattern of behaviour I’ve got myself into.
Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?
I’m always inspired by a lot of artists, but my biggest inspirations are Bjork, Kate Bush, Faye Wong, Leah Dou, Damon Albarn and Florence and the Machine. Although, for this EP I was particularly inspired by Miles Davis and Mavis Fan.
What would you change in the music industry?
The biggest thing I would change about the music industry is how difficult it is to get heard, I hope in the future streaming services do more for smaller artists.
If you were asked to rescore a film, which one would you choose?
Probably ‘House’ (1997), its my favourite horror movie of all time and theres a piano composition called “In The Evening Mist” in the movie that I absolutely adore. But the movie is so crazy and out there, I would love to see what I could do!
What is the one habit/thing you cannot live without?
The one thing I couldn’t live without would definitely be my laptop, it’s an extension of me at this point.
HipHop Paranoia 