INTERVIEW: MONTANA SHARP IS RADIATING ‘POWER’ WITH HER LATEST SINGLE + VIDEO
Our writer Tori chats with Montana Sharp following the release of her latest single & video, ‘Power’.
Tell me more about your new single, Power?
I wrote it at the tender age of 21, mainly because it was cathartic but also because my upcoming show’s set was one-song short and I was running out of time, so I had to whip something together very quickly. I was mid-break up and just feeling frustrated that I kept creating the same dynamics over and over, so I documented that feeling in the story.
Is this a taste for an upcoming EP or Album?
Upcoming EP at the end of the year! This is the second song on the track listing. The Ep kind of starts in more of an angsty angry place like this and then moves into more of an uplifting vibe.
What was it like filming the video for this? I love the Alice in Wonderland vibes – it also reminds me of parts of Taylor Swift Blank Space video.
Oh I love that! My roommate is a die-hard Swiftie so I wonder if she agrees. I shot this video and my last video (Greenhouse) with Majella Productions and I think they just really get my vibe and my music. They always make it as fantastical as possible and are so creative and imaginative. I was so nervous the first time I shot a music video, but this time round I just had fun and enjoyed getting to know everyone on set. In reality, the artist has the easiest job on the day - just gotta stand on your mark and lipsync like you’re on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
What was the production process for this single? Did you record in a formal studio or home setup?
I record in a formal studio - Soggy Dog Studio in Melbourne. I also work there as a session musician. Steve (my producer) has been doing this for 35 years and has such a wealth of knowledge. We started laying down the track in early 2019, and continued working on it together till earlier this year - partly due to Corona and also partly due to me being a maximalist who wants to keep adding parts in.
You had a recent show at Wesley Anne? How did it go! Any favourite moments?
It was honestly one of my favourite performances to date. The audience rapport was so fun and I felt very comfortable. It was my first gig back since Covid and it made me remember how much I love performing. My favourite moment was me walking around in disguise before the show because I really had to pee and didn’t want to reveal my outfit. The band was particularly amazing to work with as well - I had a little string trio and they just immensely elevated the sound. I also enjoyed chucking a bouquet of faux-roses to the audience as I walked off stage.
I am curious to know more about how you blend your classical training with the pop influences?
My vocals are pure pop - no classical influences there. However, I did the whole classical piano route through childhood and I think that has really influenced my songwriting in terms of chords. I like to go for harmonic progressions that are atypical and may seem a little bit ‘extra’ for modern pop.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
Alanis Morissette. Barbra Streisand. Judy Garland. Beyonce. ACDC. Sia. Queen - weird mix of artists really.
What songs are in your ‘On Repeat’ playlist at the moment?
The High Road - Joss Stone, Dancing With The Devil - Demi Lovato, Stars - Grace Potter and The Nocturnals, You Oughta Know - Alanis Morissette.
What can fans expect to see next from you?
More shows, more songs, more merch, more memes - more Montana :)
Montana Sharp - ‘Power’
Out May 7
INTERVIEW: BEKS ON HER NEW SINGLE AND PROJECT
Alt-pop queen, Beks (FKA RACKETT) chats to the BackBeat about her latest single and video ‘Stars In My Eyes’.
Alt-pop queen, Beks (FKA RACKETT) chats to the BackBeat about her latest single and video ‘Stars In My Eyes’.
Can you give us an outline of your transition from ‘RACKETT’ to ‘Beks’? What were your intentions behind the new name and project?
Beks is an extension of myself personally. I changed my name to strip back the layers and to better represent my solo work moving forward. I’ve been on a journey of self-discovery through music, writing with producers and artists from all around the world. I’ve been writing so much music that has informed me more about who I am as an independent songwriter and what I can create with confidence in myself. I’ve chosen to adopt my new artist name Beks to signify a new era for me as a songwriter. A new beginning, one that will carry my new work cohesively into the future. Since September 2020, I’ve been working daily with songwriters and producers in studios within Sydney and also in the UK via zoom. I’ve set out to create a mixtape which features co-writes and production by Taka Perry, Jim Eliot (Ladyhawke, EAST), Xira, Cam Nacson, Tasker, Lucy Neville, Nina Jirachi, Kim Moyes (The Presets), Airports and more. This mixtape has developed my sound, leaning further into pop than ever before
You’ve recently released your single ‘Stars In My Eyes’ alongside a music video which features you portraying three different characters. I’m assuming these characters are representations of yourself, could you tell me a little bit about each of them?
Yes, these are the different parts of my personality. The light, ethereal type angel is the naive dreamer, the glamorous mermaid is the sensual part of my personality expressing my sexuality and the fearless daredevil represents the risk-taker and the showwoman inside me. The angel is set in a rundown fairgrounds ride yard amongst dandelions, the mermaid sits on a led lit coral sprout and the daredevil rises on a forklift, balancing on the beams 3 meters in the air without a harness in heels.
As a songwriter, you seem to pull a lot of inspiration from your personal experiences as well as your development as an artist and a person. What else inspires your writing?
Yes, that's true, most of what I write is directly based on my experiences and the emotions I need to express. But since I've been co-writing so much, I haven't had a lot of time for socialising and dating so I've drawn from my co-writers' experience. I recently wrote two new songs with Clara Fable for my mixtape and these stories were based on her personal experience, I'd kinda run all the option out of my own heartbreak by then. I also wrote a song with Korkey Buchek for my mixtape called 'Fermented Mandarin' which is about my fancy friends' obsession with skin contact wine and another one with Taka Perry and Luke McChesney called 'Reject Party' about getting kicked out of my house recently. It's refreshing to find new topics that aren't always about a singular romantic fail.
What has been your COVID-19 experience? Did you find it a time for rest and reflection or an opportunity to crack down on songwriting and creating?
Covid was a really busy time for me actually. In April 2020, I conceptualised, produced and directed 'Loud n Queer TV' with Heaps Gay and Create or Die. It was an idea I had for a live stream show from my room which I pitched to Heaps Gay and Create or Die who jumped onboard. We co-created three seasons which aired on Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gray, focused on delivering an hour-long variety show with performances by artists from the LGBTQIA+ community. We've been nominated for an FBI SMAC Award which is pretty cool. After we completed three seasons, I jumped back into my music full time, writing with producers and artists in Australia and in the UK via zoom to create my debut mixtape. I got a publishing deal with Wise Music as well, during COVID so writing K-POP and really embracing what my life would look like as a full-time songwriter.
With restrictions in all states easing, gigs and tours are finally back! Do you have any gigs lined up? And anything you’re looking forward to?
I'm working on my mixtape which is now 15 tracks long and unlike my old music, I didn't use any guitars or live drums, all beats and synth so I'm excited to reinterpret that, live. I don't have any shows at this stage, I'm entering a whole new market of pop so I'm spending some time learning about that scene.
Speaking of gigs, what would be your dream festival line up for you to play alongside?
Oh yes, I love this question. My favourite artist is Charli XCX so I'd be stoked to play anywhere with her, added bonus A$AP Rocky and Solange.
Top 3 artists you’ve been listening to recently and why?
I just got my Spotify summary back for 2020 and my top 3 artists I listen to the most are me (lamo), Dante Knows and Charli XCX. Atm I'm listening to Muki, Clara Fable, Caroline Polachek, Ash Nikko, Dorian Electra and Nikki Fresh! If you don't know Nikki Fresh, it's Nicol Richie's environmental rap project produced by Joel Madden and my favourite discovery of 2020. It's all on my POP AF playlist.
Finally, what’s next for Beks?
So I've just dropped the first song off my mixtape 'Stars in My Eyes' and the second single 'The Thing About Us' is out on Friday, Dec 11th. It's an absolute dance floor banger I wrote with Cam Nacson(Sad Boi) and Tamika Nacson (Xira) and just found out it's been added to Nova Coles radio so listen out when you're doing your Christmas shopping (haha). In 2021 I'll be dropping new music I made with Taka Perry, Kim Moyes (The Presets), Jim Eliot (Ella Goulding), Korkey Buchek, Lucy Neville, Clara Fable, Airports and more. BTS I'll be continuing to co-write and try to have somewhat of a personal lifeto draw from.
‘Stars In My Eyes’ is out now! Stream HERE
