Musician, producer, writer and poet
Sydney
Please list the projects you have been involved with past & present
If we’re talking music Low Life & 3NDLES5. If we’re talking writing: Low Life Lyric book & Sydney Bass Lyric book. Currently working on a collaborative poetry book with Mahmood Fazal & DX 🙂
Please describe the genres in which you work within
Within music, I’d say punk & various elements of electronic music?
Predominantly I write poetry. But I’ve recently started writing a screenplay and experimenting with micro fiction & short stories.
In what ways do you feel you have evolved as a musician, how has it changed over time?
Oh geez, hmm? I think I’ve learnt some more technical stuff over the years. Particularly from working with some classical musicians. That definitely helped with improvisation. But I don’t think that much has changed really? Maybe I have a better understanding of different styles of music? I think as you get older, you learn to trust your intuition. I’m also a firm believer in not overthinking much. Just run with it and see what happens.
What inspires you and where do your interests derive from?
People on the train. People in the street. Friends. Pop culture. Poets I like. My peer group around me. Cindy Lauper had this lil idea about keeping the channel open. I totally agree with that when it comes to inspiration. The discipline of doing the thing daily and trying to improve, helps you capitalise when inspiration strikes. I’m no genius haha.
What instrument or hardware do you most like working with
I like piano the most. I’ve got an old 50’s stand up piano at my grandmas that I like to play. I love Fender Strat’s, Jazz & Jaguars l, which is very cliche’d. I also love playing bass. I use Abletone the most though. On my busted 2012 MacBook.
One day I’d like to have lots of hardware that would be cool. I’m a big believer in use or work with whatever is around you. You don’t need much to create something interesting these days!
As a modern poet, what poetry do you draw inspiration from?
Obviously, John Cooper Clarke. But I also love Sam Riviere. He’s incredible. I love the way he looks at the world. Got a gr8 combo of humour and cynicism. My favourite book of his is ‘Kim Kardashians Marriage’. Very bubblegum, very smart, very beautiful.
I do also love James Massiah. He’s music is mad. I think he’s brilliant and he’s got a lot of charisma. Also from England. A poet from south London I believe? I could have that wrong though? Big respect to Yuta for showing him to me ❤
Cristine Brache is very cool as well. Very minimal, kinda bleak and pretty at the same time. I think she’s from NYC? Very cool!
And of course, my peers like DX & Mahmood Fazal. Very excited to read Poetry from Elias (Ice Age) as well. He’s been pumping out poems in local libraries round Copenhagen way.
You’re fan of the arts, you represent fellow artists a lot so could you throw a couple of names down to keep an eye out for?
haha this is true! “well into the arts myself”. For sure! WRX & Yuta Matsumura everyone on the (China Heights) roster. Nashie Fergurson.
Everyone on the label AR53. Mahmood Fazal & DX. William Harden and of course my muse of going on 15 years now (Samoh) aka Sam Stephenson
Could you describe the challenges you face as an artist
The Lack of institutional support for the arts in Australia particularly in Sydney
Regarding performing, it’s very hard not to get rinsed when it comes to putting on a show by a monopoly of Sydney bookers.
There’s also a compete disregard for music in Sydney. It’s always been hard here, but atm it seems impossible to sustain.
The liberal government has demolished any sort of potential here via the lockout laws, which was really about generating revenue for what I believe is now an abandoned 2nd casino. Very Sydney haha.
Hopefully this will change though Sydney’s always had a way of producing weird and beautiful things. I think the biggest thing is sustainability though, when it comes to surviving as an artist. It’s almost impossible. So if you can pull it off, much respect and to the hustle and lemon lifestyle.
In your career what has been the most significant moment to date?
Hmmmm…playing at Irvine Welsh’s book launch, playing the opera house and collaborating with all the amazing people I’ve worked with.
What do you listen to at home, in the car or on public transport? You spend a lot of time on trains, what’s the vibe you go for, playlist?
I love Malibu. I listen to her NTS mixes allot. I listen to allot of ambient music I guess. It grounds me. I have a busy mind and self destructive tendencies haha. So that sort of stuff is very soothing. I also love Salem, I’ve been hammering them lately. Oh and anything from the labels A Colouful storm, AR53 or Boomkat. That’s just lately though.
Are there any current or future projects you’re able to discuss?
Yep! While we’re here lol. There’s a few little numbers that are still in the works.
Excited about a project called ‘YEP’ that’s been slowly chugging along since 2019 with YL Hooi & Tarquin Manek. Could even trace it back to an initial jam that i had with Valya in an Air bnb in Abbotsford. Very cool. One that I would like to finish one day. Those two are exceptionally talented.
There’s also a Sydney Bass remix LP that’s almost done. That’ll be featuring some of our favourite producers & artists. Soon to be out on our label in Melbourne AR53.
There’s also a poetry book I’m working on atm called ‘Suburban Fantasia’. All about fantasy and Sydney suburbs. Very pedestrian haha.
I’ve also just finished doing a mix for Jordan Dallah’s opening show for Fashion Week which has been quite the ride. Barry Lyndon-esq.
I think the people who know you personally or know you publicly are aware you’ve been a bit into debauchery in the past but you’ve been living in the light of sobriety for some time now. Can you discuss the importance this has on you and how has this changed your perspective on life?
The thing is. Ordinarily…I’m very private about this sorta stuff. However. For you Sig, a fellow punk. I’ll divulge a little “Let’s just say”
It’s true. At heart, I am quite the enthusiast. In the past, I have been guilty of perpetrating ‘the pig champion philosophy’. I do have moorish tendencies and I have lived a few “alternative lifestyles” over the years. I was a big fan of the nihilistic teachings of the stooges. Not so much in an ashram. My temple was that of an alleged Chippendale squat. I’ve been very lucky to find a new perspective. It’s a daily thing. A survival thing.One that will never change haha. It’s the madness. The agony and ecstasy and I love it. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Would you be interested in collaboration in the future and if so who would be on your radar?
Oh course! That’s my whole life, no complaints! WRX, NERVE, Crazymike, Purient look likely :)))
What are you hoping to achieve in the next 5 years?
Oh geez… maybe??? stay alive?? and try to live a happy and healthy life/ I’ll try Keep it simple I reckon.
Do you care to share any particular anecdotes?
In the words of Mike Leigh or maybe Sam Stephenson “You can’t miss what you never had”
Much love ❤
I’ll conclude this interview with a clip from Mitch’s favourite movie and a link to his 3NDLES5 SoundCloud
Verna Bloom Electronics 