Straight from a stint working with producers in LA and chipping away at his debut album, Melbourne emcee Grey Ghost is playing a series of launch shows for his new Mixtape, Ghost In The Machine – a collection of bangers. The Mixtape features Grey Ghost twisting his rhythmic magic into the music of The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Chemist, Lykke Li, The Beach Boys and The Black Keys.
You’re launching the brand new mix tape during a July residency at the Workers Club. What can people expect to hear on the mix tape?
It’s basically a collection of tunes I put together with DJ Matik sampling from a whole bunch of different artists outside of the hip-hop realm. Which isn’t exactly a crazy idea considering hip-hop is majoritively a sample based artform – borrowing from the music of jazz, rock, blues, country… pretty much anything. I guess one of the differences though, is that I’m often just rapping on loops from songs rather than adding in ‘hip-hop drums’ if that makes sense.
Was there a reason for making the mix tape a free download?
Yeah, it’s a traditional thing to do, plus – I want everyone to have it. They can buy my EP and my album down the track. I’ll keep doing Free Mixtapes among the releases I sell.
What have been your greatest influences when making music?
Everything; any knowledge or experience acquired is ammunition for creating art.
You’ve also been announced for the BigSound line up, a great opportunity! Are you hoping to come away from the event with anything in particular?
Yeah Big Sound should be dope! I played it a few years back when my band The Melodics we’re on the bill, it was mad fun. I wouldn’t say I’m really hoping for any thing specific from the event, just want everyone in the industry to see the show.
Is there anyone else on the line-up you’re looking forward to seeing?
I haven’t checked yet… haha. I know my friends Claire Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes are playing, I’d like to boogie to them.
Do you prefer to play at intimate venues or at festivals?
It depends on what you’re playing, if I was doing an acoustic set, definitely intimate, but the usual Grey Ghost set I prefer at a festival. There’s so much energy there with all the different types of people and bands and it’s just that collective consciousness thing; it rubs off on everyone.
What has been the stand out gig the band has played so far?
Hmmm, I loved the first ever gig I did (supporting Jackson Jackson). It was nerve racking cos there we’re lots of people there to see me and it was the first show I’d ever done as Grey Ghost and I was still remembering lyrics and so on. I try to remember the energy of that show cos it was very fun and fresh & it’s important not to loose those elements.
Fess up… What/where was the first gig you went to?
Geez, I’m not sure I remember…Oh yes – I got it. It was Prince on his Diamonds & Pearls Tour at The Entertainment Centre and I was about 9 years old. I loved Prince but when me and my cousin stood on our seats to see, the people behind us told us to sit down – so we couldn’t see a thing. We rested our heads on each others shoulders and fell asleep! One of my biggest regrets. Ha
How do you like your music? On digital, CD, or vinyl or maybe even cassette?
CDs are done, cassette’s are fun in the car, vinyl is the shit! But I mainly listen to tunes on Spotify now.
Any plans for new music coming our way after your mixtape?
Album is coming sometime this year. I’m really pumped about it. I’m working with some amazing producers & I really feel proud of what we’ve been creating. It feels new and exciting – something no ones done before.
Any more gigs coming up in 2012 that we should know about?
WEDNESDAY 11 JULY – WORKERS CLUB, MELBOURNE – With support from Kryptic and All Day
WEDNESDAY 18 JULY – WORKERS CLUB, MELBOURNE – With support from MC Tys and Client Liaison
WEDNESDAY 25 JULY – WORKERS CLUB, MELBOURNE – With support from Rapaport (SYD) and secret special guest
SATURDAY 28 JULY – GALLERY BAR @ OXFORD ART FACTORY, SYDNEY – With support from Rapaport
Download the Grey Ghost mixtape for FREE from www.greyghost.com.au
