REID, we usually start off with one of the hardest questions you’ll ever answer. How the bloody hell are you?
I’m bloody good thanks Jak! Excited to sit down with Nexus Magazine.
So you’re a Waikato success story, how’s Pōneke treating you? How do you find the difference in the music scene?
It’s great, I love the city. I love how vibrant and cultural it is here, just a completely different vibe to when I’m back home. There’s so much more happening here for bands and artists, with so many different venues to play multiple nights a week. There’s something for everyone here.
We’ve been listening to your single in the office, amazing stuff by the way, but we couldn’t help but get those hints of early 00’s post-punk pop. Where do you derive your sound? Who inspires you?
My three biggest musical influences are Sam Fender, John Mayer and The 1975, but all three make quite different music from the other, and I feel my sound is a combination of each of these. It’s funny you mentioned the hints of 00’s post-punk pop sound because when I was writing this song, I was listening to a lot of music from the early 2000’s trying to incorporate some different elements from the music back then, to create a somewhat nostalgic sound.
Obviously quite introspective, how did you find the process of producing the single? Was it cathartic in any way?
The process itself was a lot of fun, taking the demo that I made in my bedroom to Toby Lloyd (Tiny Triumph Recordings) and being able to bring it to life was very fulfilling. A lot of the emotion comes from the lyrics, but the drums provided the intensity to compliment the message I was trying to get across to listeners. I think the most cathartic thing about it was being able to heighten the emotional aspect in terms of being vulnerable and open about your struggles. When I wrote this, I was at a crossroads in life, reflecting on everything I had done up to that point and what I thought that meant was in store for me. Writing this song felt like I was having a conversation with my inner child and that’s kind of how the coming-of-age sound came to be. I’m sure a lot of people feel a little bit lost in their early 20s as they try and navigate their way through life while also trying to figure out who they are as a person.
As a multidisciplinary artist, do you find there’s more control over your sound? Not to detract from the talent of Jordan Gray on the drums, but the sound is so distinct that I’m curious how that plays into your movement into an EP and works moving forward.
Yes absolutely. Being able to play the majority of the parts in the song allowed me to dictate the overall sound. I knew though that the drums were going to be the most important element of the song, in order to bring the emotion to life. I knew that Jordan was going to be able to deliver what I wanted as he has an incredible understanding of what a song needs and knows how to execute it. I think being a multi-disciplinary artist is a great skill to have, but moving forward, I’m keen for more collaboration with other artists, producers and songwriters.
Where are you wanting to go with your music, are your releases all going to be self-actualising like ‘Wanna Be Someone’? What should we expect in the future, sorry we’re greedy for so much more from you.
I don’t think they will be as self-actualising as ‘Wanna Be Someone’ is, but they will definitely incorporate a lot of personal emotions that I’m feeling as I’m writing it. The sound will be similar for sure. Keep an eye out for my next single, it’s about the temptation to do things that you know aren’t right, but the thrill of doing it outweighs your judgement at the time.
Honestly bro, thank you for answering my questions but I have one final question. If you could give yourself some advice from 10 years ago, what would it be? Also what’s your subway order? Ya know, hard-hitting stuff mate.
I would say, keep doing exactly what you’re doing and back yourself even if people tell you differently. One thing I wish I had known back then was to be completely and utterly myself and not feel the pressure to follow the crowd, even though I know how hard that can be for young people. And lastly, understand that it’s going to require a lot of hard work and is a journey. Oh yes, this will be easy as I literally ate Subway for lunch. Footlong chicken classic on Italian herbs & cheese, toasted with cheddar cheese. Then I throw in some lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion and carrot. Salt and pepper always, and Chipotle Southwest sauce to top it off. Job well done.
Thanks for having me Jak and the rest of the team at Nexus! It’s great to work with some local Waikato people!
‘WANNA BE SOMEONE’ Comes out Friday, 26-05-23, make sure you check out his instagram for links and take a listen (shit is dope, trust me)
