For those readers that haven’t heard of you before could you tell a bit about yourself, your story?
Hi Mike, it’s great to be chatting to you today about ‘Sunday’.
I’m an Australian indie-pop artist, based in Brisbane and I’ve been writing and performing in various bands now for 7 years. I’ve been writing as my solo project Katanak for the past two years. I like to write music that I would like to listen to myself. So while I don’t stray too far from indie-pop, you’ll find that the music I haven’t released yet can be quite varied and run to indie rock.
I started writing because the high school I went to was putting on an artist showcase and I was told that I’d better finish that song I’d started and get up and perform. Looking back, while it wasn’t award-winning, I still think it’s a pretty good song for a first-time writer.
I also get to have music in my day every day at work. I’ve started a job as a music coordinator/child care worker and it’s challenging me to brush up on my repertoire of music, haha – Puff the Magic Dragon & Wheels on the Bus are big faves! It’s pretty awesome being able to go to work and sing with the kids. They are my biggest critics and my biggest fans (apart from my family of course).
How has the past year of lockdowns and restrictions affected you creatively?
It’s been tough in some ways and helpful in others. Not being able to play shows or have them restricted has been a blow to being able to meet and interact with all the awesome people that come to watch me play, however, it’s given me an opportunity to take the time to write music and really get a good catalogue to burst into 2022 with.
Who inspired you to get on stage and perform?
My Dad and my uncle are my biggest inspirations for wanting to be a musician. Ever since I was little I’ve seen and heard band practices at my parent’s place and music has been all around from such a young age. The radio was always on and someone was always humming or singing something so it was just ingrained. I won’t say that Keith Urban encouraged me to perform, but his was the first big-name concert I went to, and that wow factor certainly added to the ‘I think I can do this’.
I went to a high school called Music Industry College and there I was surrounded by some very talented people. My initial plans were always to be the Sound Engineer behind the desk, but that first gig with school made me see that maybe I could step out in front.
Are there any particular artists or albums that have inspired you and informed your sound?
From a musician’s standpoint, I have to say The 1975 have been massive inspirations lately for my direction in songwriting. Not only with my sound but just the general professionalism and incredible style they have has influenced me.
Do you have any songwriting rituals?
Honestly, songwriting for me is just one of those things where when I’m really, really inspired it just comes out in five minutes. I can tell pretty quickly if I’m just not into what I’m writing if It takes more than a couple of minutes for the next idea to pop into my head. As far as rituals go, I don’t have any and basically just write as I feel the inspiration to write.
Could you tell us a bit about the writing/recording of the Syncr Music competition-winning track “Sunday”?
Sunday is a song that I wrote with a good friend of mine called Joolz who performs under the name Koolz. We met via social media as I was a big fan of the band she was in and I made the suggestion that we should write together. This song actually just blossomed out of nothing on the first day we met and sat down to write. We just had this really great chemistry for songwriting and the song just flowed. Quite a few people have mentioned that our voices match really well and keep asking if we are writing anything else together. If anyone wants to know, yes, there’s a couple of tracks we are working on but nothing ready yet. We recorded at the Gold Coast over two days with engineer Jared Adlam who did an amazing job of recreating the sound and vibe we were searching for.
Are there any plans for an EP or an album coming up?
At this stage, I’m working towards it but I’m not there yet.
The advice I have received though is to concentrate on singles. As streaming has taken over and only one song can be promoted from an album on the streaming platforms, that’s what I’m doing. I’ll be honest and say it’s crazy expensive for each track, as I’m sure every muso is aware but there are plenty of singles coming your way as I bang them out towards the start of next year. So 2022 will be the year I think I’ll get an EP out.
Here at Artistic Echoes, we are always on the lookout for new artists do you have any to recommend?
I like to support local so I’m going to stick with some Brisbane bands. I’ve been a big fan of The Baby Breaks for a long while now and they have just released a new single called ‘Dopamine’ so make sure you check that out as it’s a new sound for them and I’m loving it. Tripsitta is another band with a big sound and Jack the songwriter is a very talented guy.
What plans do you have for the rest of the year?
Well, we’ve got a heap of shows coming up around Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast so keep an eye out for them. Also, go follow me on Bands In Town and you’ll be notified when I’m playing near you – https://bnds.us/mvtpl1
September 3 | QUT La Boite Theatre w/ Duck Egg Blue
October 30 | Lefty’s, BRISBANE w/ Dorah Jacson, Swimsuit Issue, Big Blue Eyes, Mon-sters Up North, Ben Tenison plus more
November 28 | Solbar, SUNSHINE COAST w/ Swimsuit Issue, Others TBA
Definitely, when the world opens up I want to get over the UK and play. That’s always been a goal of mine and I plan to make it happen!
