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: THE SMITH STREET BAND ARE UNPLUGGED IN WOMBAT STATE FOREST
The Smith Street Band have announced their return to live music in 2021, with a series of full band, stripped back, semi-acoustic, seated shows in Victoria and New South Wales. Guest writer from Ambedo Magazine, Keely Millikin, had an e-chat with guitarist Lee Hartney to discuss all things tour, coffee beans, and what’s coming next!
Photo credit Ian Laidlaw
The Smith Street Band have announced their return to live music in 2021, with a series of full band, stripped back, semi acoustic, seated shows in Victoria and New South Wales. Guest writer from Ambedo Magazine, Keely Millikin, had an e-chat with guitarist Lee Hartney to discuss all things tour, coffee beans, and what’s coming next!
I wanted to start off with talking about your upcoming album, ‘Unplugged in the Wombat State Forest’ which is out on March 5th. What was the inspiration behind doing an ‘unplugged’ album per se?
During Melbourne's long lockdown we discussed the likelihood that if we were going to be allowed to play shows again they would most likely be seated... and none of us are keen on seated rock shows.
So we reimagined a set in a more acoustic stripped-back style that we think fits better for those shows and is something different and fun for us. Because this is so different and new for us we thought we should record and film it in the meantime and release it for this tour, especially for the people who can't make it to the shows or who we can't get to this time around.
I saw that you released coffee beans as a part of promotion for the new album, could you explain the motivation behind doing so? (I love the idea by the way, and had to pick up some up for myself.)
Thank you! I hope you liked it! Well, everyone's a coffee fiend in the band (except me! Ha ha), so just made sense! A few of the others knew Karon coffee as they are locals to the region where our studio is in Wombat State Forest and we wanted to support our local businesses.
You kick off the Unplugged tour in Bendigo, and all of the shows are seated, which is going to be a very different experience as a band. In what ways do you think that will change the dynamic of your shows, and how the audience reacts?
It will be a completely different experience to our normal loud, sweaty, rock shows.
We really hope people enjoy hearing the songs interpreted in a different way. It won't be for everyone, but we have enjoyed creating the set and hopefully that comes across.
What can we expect to see from your upcoming album release?
For the first time we're releasing a cassette tape & DVD. The CD comes with a DVD with a video of the whole album. Plus it's on black and coloured vinyl.
You recently announced some shows in Brisbane in May with the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra. Have you had the chance to rehearse with them yet and how has that changed your music?
We have just started discussions with them so far and organising a suitable setlist for the show. Once all the charts are written we shall be doing a few rehearsals I believe. It's all very unknown territory for us but super exciting! We are going to go in with open minds ready to do whatever we need to make it sound great!
How has the lockdown been for you all as a band? I saw you all spent a lot of time at your headquarters in the Wombat State Forest.
It's the most time we have spent apart from each other in 10 years! I think we have all enjoyed having a bit of self-imposed time off. It gave everyone a bit of time to work on other things and projects in their lives that usually get put on the backburner. And now it's just made everyone more excited to come back together and to get back to playing shows!
Unplugged in Wombat State Forest Out March 5th
on Pool House Records / Remote Control
Pre Order the album here
How has having your home base in the state forest affected your music and you all as a band?
It's great to have a place that we can all go to and just work on music with no other distractions. It allows us the freedom to record with no time constraints (which may not always be a good thing!) which hopefully means we can release better, more creative albums than we have in the past.
And lastly, what can we expect for the future of the Smith Street Band?
Hopefully lots of shows! We are gonna do as much as we are physically allowed to do. Hopefully we can record some new music as well real soon!
Follow The Smith Street Band on the rest of their tour and for our fellow local Bendigonians, be sure to check out the interview as part of the upcoming Ambedo Magazine issue! This interview was done as part of the upcoming magazine release, written by Keely Millikin.
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
Introductions
The BackBeat Podcast.
Monthly episode updates on the Australian Music Industry, direct to your ears. Featuring interviews and performances with guest artists and industry pro's, letting you know what really goes on behind the scenes.
Photo Credit: Bree Wallace
The BackBeat Podcast.
Monthly episode updates on the Australian Music Industry, direct to your ears. Featuring interviews and performances with guest artists and industry pro's, letting you know what really goes on behind the scenes.
BackBeat Podcast aims to bring the behind-the-scenes of the Australian Music industry to the audience, with an entertaining yet honest, transparent look into all facets of the industry, all while bringing new local music to new ears.
We’re working out the kinks here, but we hope you’ll stick around - we promise we’ve got a great playlist for the ride.
