Sure we’ve heard about you before, but we think it’s time for Tone Deaf to get to know you a little better. Slip in to something comfortable while we put on some music, pour us a couple of drinks and turn the lights down low. So, tell us about yourselves…Who are you – who who? We really wanna know….
Who are you and what do you do in your act?
We are POLAR NATION, consisting of 3 mc’s.. Matty Charles aka Machi, Samson And Aki Redbird, Aki wrote & produced all the music on the Album, & we all write and perform our own lyrics and vocals, sometimes Aki writes verses for whoever wants to use them.. our act is musically a bit of everything, Rock / hop / elctronik / native / funk / soul.
‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parents’ record collection and why?
hahah… probably the usual, the doors, Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, Miles Davis, Coltrane, recently though Gurrumul .. Deadly…
What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now?
Recently, i’ve been going back to the old school, De La, Tribe, Dj Quik, Gil Scott Heron, Raphael Saadiq.. And to tell the truth The Polar Nation Album… Those guys are siiicckk…!!
‘Home taping is killing the music business’ was the catch-cry of the record industry in the 1970s and 1980s, but it managed to survive until now. What do you think is the difference between mates taping copies of friend’s records back in the 80s and 90s and file sharing now?
Well obviously its easier to reach a bigger audience in a quicker time, which makes it easier for people to flood the system with Copied Product than before… but i guess if people are wanting your music so bad they gotta get a copied version, at least there still listening… i figure the people who it effects is the international artist, who has a bit of recognition & bank, still has anyone famous gone broke from some kids hustlin tapes…!? I haven’t heard of anyone… if so thats a lot of people that liked there music.
You must answer this question honestly or we steal your rider. What was the first gig you went to.?Where was it and what was the venue?
The first gig I went to was my Brother Cloudhunters band Real Time, I can’t remember the name of the venue, it was a pub in Newcastle, I was only 15 so I had to watch from the food section, but I still snuck through and got up to do a freestyle.. I remember it being a pretty ruff place.
What’s your favourite site to download music from and do you ever pay for it? Can we find any of your releases there?
i-Tunes…!? No need to rort.. I’m way too busy making my own music to download that much.. the last one was Lucy Pearl… yeh Polar Nation is on I-tunes.. go gitit… ;)
What artist made you want to pick up an instrument and/or sing?
Of course Michael Jackson & Curtis Blow, but music was just a part of family life, I started learning music and singing back in primary school, i just always loved it from then…
Have you ever been arrested?
Yeh for killing mics!!
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?
I’ve got a Redbird (Cardinal) Necklace I always like to wear… that’s my native medicine.. no real rituals.. though I get kind of wild like geed up and cheeky before a show.. but that’s unintentional I just need to get in the mode before we rock, I find humour keeps the mood up..
Supposing you were to be playing sold out stadiums on your next tour, what outrageous rider requests would you submit?
Hmmm, everything all the other bands asked for and a can of milo…
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?
Katie Noonan.. her voice is so beautiful… plus she looks like she gives good hugs…
Right, let’s get really intimate. Tell us what releases you have that we can listen to with the lights down low, or even better, where we can see you play in person next. Naturally, don’t forget to give us the link to your Facebook fan page too.
Sjunch and Rock would be good with the lights low… as long as your not Sleepin!?
but some of the more emotional tracks would be the Lonely or The Things..
We’re playing at the Oxford Art factory this Friday for the first show.. it’s gonna be a great night.. we have the rest of our dates up on our page…
http://www.facebook.com/PolarNation
PolarNation.com
Thanks A lot
Aki Redbird
