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I grew up in Melbourne, Australia in an inner suburb where we had a fairly small but tight music community. All of my friends where musicians, artists or skaters so we spent a lot of time skating, getting into mischief or in garages playing rock n roll.
How long have you been making beats for?
I started making beats about 3 years ago while doing diss rap tracks against my friends. As time went on we started getting better and better and the production side until about 18 months ago I decided that I really liked this and I dropped all my other musical ambitions and decided to focus on making beats in every spare moment of time and create a brand.
Tell us about your creative process?
My production process is fairly quick because I know that I’m prone to procrastination and if I get bored with a beat then I’ll never finish it. I almost always refuse to get up or change tasks until a beat that I’ve started has been finished. I like to keep all of my focus on it. This means that I can make between 2-4 beats a day on average and I also do a live stream every day where I make a beat live from scratch to show the process.
Top 5 Albums/Artists or Producers?
My top 5 favourites changes all the time but I can tell you what I’m messing with right now. Producers: Kanye West, Dr Dre, LondonOnDaTrack, T-Minus Max Martin. Albums: 6lack – Free 6lack Kendrick Lamar – DAMN Amine – ONEPOINTFIVE Post Malone – Stoney YBN Cordae – The Lost Boy
Do you have any upcoming projects?
I have no upcoming projects that are out of the ordinary. I am really focused on just establishing my brand and creating as much music as possible. I don’t want to see anybody out there working harder than I am.
If you could collab with any producer dead or alive, Who would it be?
I would love to work with Kanye West. I’d love to experience the mind of someone who is just crazy enough to make themselves a billionaire despite what he’s been through.
Do you have anyone that you consider your mentor? How has their help or advice shaped you?
I don’t really have any mentors yet. Most of the best advice has come in from the many books that I read. Some of the best lessons I’ve come across are:
Aim 10 times higher than what most people think is reasonable.
Problems are the best opportunity to create valuable solutions.
Know what your brand value is.
I’d love to get a high-level mentor. I feel like I would learn so much from them.
Advice for the upcoming Artist/Beatmaker?
My advice for any upcoming musician would be to create insane amounts of music. Get good at being able to pump out good music quickly and don’t be afraid to release everything you make. I know a lot of people who are scared to drop a beat or a track until it’s perfect but they never get anywhere because they’ve only come up with one idea.
Do you have one you want to recognize or shout out?
Shoutouts to my morning Instagram live crew who come on every day and share their music and bring a positive attitude. You guys get me up every morning in a good mood and with good music.
Message to the Youth?
My message to the youth would be to start now and work hard. Figure out all the smart stuff later.
Make sure you jump on and support this Legend and Run his numbers all the way up!!!
I was born in Homerton East London. Then moved to Herne Bayl in Kent when I was quite young, it was a pretty small town of about 40,000. Pretty alright place to grow up had good mates there and that but not where I was going to remain forever.
How long have you been Rapping/Performing for?
I been really putting the effort in for maybe 6 or 7 years but was fucking around since I was about 17. I’m 31.
Tell us about your creative process?
I usually find a beat that hits the spot either from producers I know or YouTube, try flows out for the hook and verses, then start building from there on lyrics energy and projection etc.
like to be in a room with a few other people writing or making music but alone is good for the emo stuff.
Top 5 Albums/Artists or Producers?
My top 5 Albums are in no order
Boogie – Everything’s for sale Blu & Exile – Below The Heavens Amy Winehouse – Frank Joey Badass – All Amerikkkan Badass Seaside Sloths – Fear And Slothing In Sloth Vegas
If you could collab with any artist dead or alive who would it be?
Amy Winehouse
Do you have anyone that you consider your mentor? How has their help or advice shaped you?
I don’t really have a mentor at the moment. I have had people in the past give me heavy guidance but I truly believe for the most part I’m best without it for the minute.
Guidance and mentoring helped me get to a certain level due to being kind of accountable to those people to show up and try my best. Now I’m trying to do that for myself.
You have a Podcast and a new line of Merch tell us a bit about that?
The podcast is called The Moss-Cast out on all major platforms. Bit of a side thing but my most enjoyable creative thing to do. Very easy and very fulfilling. I talk mostly about my day to day and life experiences then do some headlines and try to showcase some music at the beginning.
The clothing brand is still in its early stages, but the site is fully operational. I wanted to make clothes for myself to be honest and hoped other people would like them too.
I’m definitely still up and coming myself but my advice is to be self-critical, work with people whom you feel comfortable experimenting around, be humble and take it seriously but not too seriously. It’s not the be-all, it’s the go-to.
Do you have one you want to recognize or shout out?
Shout out my Seaside Sloths Shout out mum, my missus and shout out psilocybin
Message to the Youth?
Well, I guess I’d say if you’re not academically smart don’t worry you can be successful in the trades or be an internet entrepreneur or do odd jobs or loads of other stuff. I’m fine I got no grades. Probably not great advice but that’s all I got. I don’t have kids so not my field of expertise.
Born and raised in the Perth WA , But Holds down Melbourne and is one of the best over there in my opinion.
Super talented and tells a story with each track he releases, Each track laced with wordplay and vibes that make you feel like you are a part of it, His new Track “Wake up” is a masterpiece Beatwise and flow wise, Jack Vie also has 2 other Albums Rap House and Start Again, I recommend you give them a listen they are both great and I guarantee you will find some fire for your playlists.
Make sure you check out Subverse Records as they have big things coming so Follow them and show them some love.
Subverse was started between me, Phoenix and Illusive. The idea behind it was mainly to create a team behind the music. To create structure and a family to build off.
Describe your Creative Process?
My creative process is super hard to put into words and it isn’t really an exact science. It’s not really like I do things a certain way but I find inspiration in a lot of different things. Sometimes the beat comes first, other times it’s the opposite. Often I find myself jotting down lines on sticky notes at work and then later it all comes together.
Top 5 Albums/Artists or Producers?
NF – Perception Witt Lowry – Dreaming With Our Eyes Open Bliss n ESO – Circus in the Sky Linkin Park – Meteora Spit Syndicate – Sunday Gentlemen
What was the first-ever album you bought?
Can’t remember exactly but it was super early EMINEM!
What are the best bars/Lyrics you have written or heard?
An idle mind is where the demons roam. Last night I met fear, doubt, hurt, hate, pain. Told me, “If you don’t change, then we don’t go”. They’ll give us life, and then we don’t grow (Witt Lowry)
Do you have anyone that you consider your mentor? How has their help or advice shaped you?
My manager (Phoenix) has probably shaped me most musically, and also on a very personal level. We found each other when I was in a very dark place and for that I’m thankful.
Advice for the upcoming artist?
DO NOT COMPARE YOURSELF TO ANYONE ELSE. BE YOURSELF!!!
Do you have one you want to recognize or shout out?
WITT LOWRY (Go check him out)
Message to the Youth?
What happens in high school doesn’t mean shit the second you leave! Don’t get trapped in the dark.
Make sure you jump on and support this Legend and Run his numbers all the way up!!!
He is a truly gifted rapper that spits out heavy hits and is a Legend in his own right.
Epifane is a big name amongst the talent coming out of Queensland and is one you should look out for with his Oldschool flow and throwback vibe that reminisces the greats and makes you vibe out.
Make sure you check out his New track “Ladi Dadi” and Run up his numbers and truly support this Legend.
The name Epifane came to me like a fuckin bang 😂 I thought for ages for a name that would catch n have people think n then I had an epiphany lol
Where did you grow up?
I grew up on the gold coast till I was in 7th grade, then moved to logan n lived out my teens in the playground known as Woodridge 😂 now I’m back on the goldy soaking in that sun!
Describe your Sound/Style?
My sound/style I guess I best described as Oldschool I mean I grew up on exactly that and I do still to this day.
How Long have you been Performing?
I’ve been actively making music and doing shows now for almost a solid 2 years.
What inspired your music?
The daily struggle not just for me but for humans as a race inspires me, amongst a lot of other things but mainly the struggle, I thrive on making people move to my music, so if I can help u thru ur struggle, I’ve done my job.
What are the best bars you have written or heard?
Best bars…wow, hard lol 2pac, Xzibit & Mc Eiht are defs up there for me but to pick a bar is so hard haha
Who is your top 5 Artists Or producers or Albums?
Top 5 artists are 2pac, The Wu-Tang clan, Xzibit, tech n9ne, Pharoahe Monch.
What would be your dream collaboration with any Artist of any Genre?
Dream collaboration would definitely be with the Wutang clan 💯 I mean if Pac was alive that’s me 10 times over but man, Wutang is for the children 💯🙌
Advice for the upcoming artist?
Advice for upcomers would be to not to rush, stay humble and enjoy the grind..it makes u not only a better person but a better artist. And don’t rap if u cant. It ain’t for everyone.
What are some current projects your working on?
I’m currently in the last stages of my Ep “Dopamine” waiting on the last 3 tracks to be mastered then a release date will be announced! There’s solo tracks as well as collaborations with a few hella dope artist in the Brisbane and gold coast scene. I also have a music video for my newest single “Ladi Dadi” being released on the 10th of this month!
Do you have one you want to recognize or shout out?
I want to shout out all my homies! Acizm, Butta , man there’s too many to go thru, You know who u are! Mad love for all the support Black ace studios, ask_em_interviews, 20large
Message to the Youth?
Message to the youth is to Stay educated, respect your mums and No kids gangs do not make u tough.
Make sure you jump on and support this Legend and Run his numbers all the way up!!!
Coming straight out of Sydney, He is a Local Poet 5 years deep in the Poetry World. His themes are a mix of the realities to daily life through to thought-provoking and inspirational.
We asked him some questions and here is his interview:
How long have you been writing poetry?
Since 2015, it’s been almost exactly 5 years.
What inspires your Poetry?
Daily life and daily thoughts. Interesting things people say, or uniquely poised typical sayings. Also, music, books, movies and games can get the gear churning too.
If you could Meet/Talk/Work with any poet dead or alive who would it be?
I’d probably have to say, Sylvia Plath. I studied her and her husband’s (Ted Hughes) poetry in high school. It was what really got me interested in poetry. The two of them have a very twisted and interconnected history/life. Not only was it a shocking thing to wade through but they got me thinking about words in ways I’d never considered before.
Where can people check out your Poetry/Works?
Medium @DaCapo. https://medium.com/@DaCapo I’ll be uploading many more poems over the next few months. I have a huge backlog that’s stuck in word documents on my computer.
Advice to any inspiring poets?
Write and show it off. Going to open mics was one of the best experiences for me. It completely rekindled my joy for the performance side of art and reminded me of how enjoyable it is to share poetry.
Here are some of the works he selected for us:
物質(Substance) I drink. I inhale. I inject… A lifeblood in my body. In my brain. Through my vein. Searching for the right substance, Of which I am lacking… It is purposeful thought. It is positivity fraught. I think only of myself, And my plans which are writhing… Lying decapitated on the ground. Motionless. Voiceless. Careless. Hoping for someone to pick me up, To take me away from my pain, my suffering… They say there’s a place for all on this earth. And my place, has not been found today. I belong to a place that will forever stay, In nothingness, in disarray… I belong to the hell in my life. Forever more, I belong to today.
Another one of his Poems
Ripples, Waves, Tsunami’s: Cascade The waters convergence; pool to pool. It waits for a filter – no man – to start its drool. It hops from one, to the other A never ending cycle at fault. With no clear path, or reason With absolutely no one to consult… Years pass and nothing at all changes From small pool to big pool, the water exchanges Every now and then a new member arrives And for whatever reason, to the rules, they do not abide. They enter the small pool and peer at the drop It’s where the water converges, right off the top Into the large pool, right there, can you see? It’s how things work, they quickly tell me. But I the ‘pioneer’ ignore them, and I tell them instead I can make a difference. I will make the system flip, on its head. I go to the edge; I push, splash, and even blow But my impressions fold into the water’s flow Before I even realise I’ve been dragged off the top. And all that remains of me is an indistinctive “plop”
Path of Poison: A Calf’s way They walk past, not even a glance. They walk past, pretend. Pretend. To not change your stance… They know, how could they not? One side – a barrier. The other – pain. The poison they pave, the toxic needles they lay in their wake, Something only an idiot – like you – would take. They churn the mix; a hint of lies, a touch of fake, sprinkles of irritation – Laying the foundations of a beautifully disguised unwelcoming destination. They walk, they lead. Blind and blind. You follow, a young calf oblivious to the air. Their paving of a path, which you cannot take. You follow strong minded. Blind – to your mistake. Many days pass, the poison seems to dissipate. The path becomes clearer, torture no more. Then you realise, callouses on your feet. No emotion left. Sublime no more. You’re a dumb calf, on a poisoned path. With nothing more. Than those common, whom are up for slaughter.
My Nickname mack6ix my last name McNamara and I was born in 96 so I put to together mack6ix.
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Brisbane didn’t grow up there I grew up in Seymour and Shepparton 8 years in Seymour and the rest is Shepparton.
What was the first-ever album you bought?
My first album I got my Aunty I think to buy for me cause I was to young it was the 50 Cent get rich or die trying album.
Top 5 Albums/Artists or Producers?
Top 5 artist shit that’s a hard one:
Eminem would have to be on there just for the lyrical factor he a good when it comes bars.
Lil Wayne because once you get past the voice his lyrics are some of the smartest lyrics he can make the same word rhyme in many different ways.
Bugzy Malone his power is his music is amazing and the way his music got me to interested in grime 5 years ago he has to be in my top 3.
Huskii I’m sure a lot of people feel the same way but his music makes you feel like he’s been in your shoes he speaks so many facts and his music is amazing.
Producer/ artist would have been Nerve he’s grime tracks and even his upbeat tracks are fire.
What are the best bars/Lyrics you have written or heard?
Best bars damn that’s another hard one There are heaps of bars I have heard that blew my mind even some I have written that aren’t in any of my songs I think are dope but I can’t really single out one set of bars or a paragraph because every day I hear bars that I love.
Do you have any upcoming Projects?
End of this month start of next month I’m back in the studio to work on a mixtape and a single with my producer my plans are to have music out within 2 months.
What would be your dream collaboration with any Artist of any Genre?
Dream collaboration I have a few Bugzy Malone FRAKSHA Scotty hinds Alex Jones HUSKii And well Eminem wouldn’t be bad too haha
Advice for the upcoming artist?
My advice would be to stay real to yourself.
Do you have one you want to recognize or shout out?
Big Strykah Promotions have been there since day one. Espy from Krayzie ent. Josh Jai from Bega got my very first interstate gig for me. Mc Pete at 30 record studios.
Message to the Youth?
Don’t spend your time trying to be something your not. Spend the time advancing the best in you, don’t be a follower be a leader.
The featured Poet of the Week is Diane Lowe-Breakfield.
Growing up in Houston, Texas and what a talent she is.
Dianne is an Extremely talented Poet, Her Poetry is full of thought-provoking and Raw emotions and draws you into a world of dark yet laced with truth and hope.
I love the dark edgy glimpse at reality and human reflection and I can see a similarity to Edgar Allen Poe, As she weaves a dark tapestry of feelings and edge of the seat reading.
Some of her Poetry is being published in an Anthology Titled “Person Suit” Published by DreamingBigPublications.com (DigitallyvAvailable on Amazon).
I will put some of her Masterpieces below:
Whispers the Ghosts A still voice whispers But no sound travels there. Ghosts of the past are remembered, Yet there is no one there to care. The destiny of the children turn, With a flicker of hate, Into pain that no one shares, Save for the mother, Fate. Memories pound on the door Like the reaper come to collect And the souls of the damned Stare into the blank face of regret. Dianne Lowe Breakfield
Natasha (Illuminating) As the black hands of hell encompass multitudes of children, their tiny hands stretch out to me, fingertips almost touching. As I reach them, the forces of hell reclaim them. As I stare into the darkness that surrounded the children an image appeared before me repeating my name. I awaken to the sound of my own voice yelling your name over again. There at the foot of my bed, bathed in luminescence is the essence of innocence. I beckon to you and you come to me and erase the lines on my face with your tender kisses.
Dianne Lowe Breakfield
Enough From me here is the Interview.
Where are you from?
I grew up in Houston Texas but in the summer between my eighth and ninth year of school, my parents bought a 150-acre farm in Mississippi and moved us here far from the bright lights and culture that I was used to. I left home at twenty-one and didn’t come back until I was in my Forties. My parents died and left my brother and me the farm and that was the end of my hobo life travelling all over and experiencing different cultures and ways of life. Now I spend my days writing and working on my art.
A lot of your Poems are published, How many have you got published and where can people find them?
Currently, there are ten of my poems published in an anthology titled Person Suit. It’s a collection of poems and short stories dealing with mental illness. Throughout the years I have been published in various newspapers and small magazines but it wasn’t until 2016 that I found a publisher that wanted to publish my work. Now I have a contract for several more books and poems. You can find Person Suit in several book stores but on Amazon, you can also get the digital version. Published by DreamingBigPublications.com
If you could meet any poet dead or alive who would it be?
Edgar Allen Poe! I have often dreamed of time travelling back to his day and just hanging out with him. He is a genius and a true wordsmith. Someone actually told me once that my poetry reminded them of his work. That was the best compliment I have ever had. It would be wrong to me not to give a shout out to my favourite living writer of fantasy, Piers Anthony. He’s old now but I have always wanted to meet him.
What is the best poetry you have heard or written?
The best poem ever is The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe. I read it several times a month and never get tired of it. It’s hard to choose a favourite of my own work but I would have to narrow it down between Night Terrors and Smudge and Shade which will be included in my next book.
How Long have you been writing/performing?
I started writing at around nine or ten years of age. The first poem I wrote that I liked was I Saw Me which is featured in Person Suit.
When I was fourteen I wrote The Faded Flower which is also featured in Person Suit as well as published in various newspapers and small magazines.
What is your creative process? How do you find the focus of your poem?
I have a muse that pops in and out of my life. When my muse arrives he pounds my brain non-stop until I sit down with pen and paper.
This can last from a few days at a time to several months, sometimes years at a time. When he leaves me I have usually created several publishable poems and short stories.
My inspiration is almost always related to my mental illness and the fantastic life I have lived despite and because of the bipolar type one that lives with me.
Are there any themes or motifs that you gravitate to?
I gravitate towards the dark side with the goal of making the reader FEEL. Rather they feel fear, hatred, love, disappointment or disgust it doesn’t matter to me as long as I can make them feel and my words come back to haunt them in a good or bad way.
Any tips for the upcoming Poet?
Tips? Write what you know but most of all write, write, write then when you think you have a winner get people to critique it for you with brutal honesty. Don’t let your feelings get hurt, just listen to the public and hone your craft.
Born and Raised in Newcastle in England and grew up in outskirts of London but now resides here in Melbourne.
Tim is a multi-talented Poet and Spoken Word Artist, He is thought-provoking, Raw and laces his poetry with real experiences and Emotions and hugely Cathartic.
Self-care and expressionism are inspirational and really hits the tone and also the humour relief really balances the deep thoughts and message.
You can catch Tim at multiple gigs all over Melbourne and he will blow your mind and inspire you. He has even performed at the National Poetry Slam in Chicago.
One of my Favourite Performances Would have to be “Poem, Interrupted” filmed at @Melbourne Spoken Word where he chats to the abyss of emotions and is confronting his issues I will link it below.
I was born in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne up in the North East of England, but I grew up down South just outside London. Then I moved to Melbourne about six years ago.
How Long have you been writing/performing?
I’ve been doing stuff on stage in front of the mic, in one form or another, for about five years. Before that, I was more behind the scenes organizing music events, DJing and putting out records by some amazing bands.
Performing at Slams must be amazing, what is it like?
Slams can be a great vessel for creating drama and energy around poetry and spoken word. I like the way they encourage the audience to play an active part in the event. That often injects a level of excitement and community when people maybe expect a poetry event to be very dry and dusty. This can raise the level of performances and the event as a whole.
The competitive element isn’t for everyone, which I understand, but I don’t take that side of slam too seriously. It’s often said ‘the points are not the point, the point is poetry’.
At its best, a slam creates an atmosphere where the organizers, the performers and the audience all feel like they’re bringing life into space together and it becomes a competition where somebody wins but nobody loses. If you think you don’t like poetry because you’ve only ever had the classics drilled into you at school, come to a slam or an open mic to find out how diverse and energetic the spoken word and poetry scene really is.
If you could meet any poet dead or alive who would it be?
I’d like to meet the person reading this who is a poet-who-doesn’t-think-they’re-a-poet. The person scribbling away in secret who has never shared their work. Come and find us. We can’t wait to welcome you.
What is your creative process? How do you find the focus of your poem?
I nearly always start putting things together in my head first. I might be inspired by an interesting line of conversation or a random thought or a specific event or something that keeps happening for me. I like starting in my head and mumbling lines under my breath because I think that’s where I get into the feel of the rhythm and the dynamics of a piece before I write anything down.
Sometimes the focus of the poem stays the same as the initial idea but sometimes it takes me off in a different direction and leads me to flip things around so something that starts off dark and troubling becomes processed and reclaimed, maybe even absurd and funny.
How has your life or environment inspired your poetry?
I think being from different parts of the UK, and then moving to Australia, got me interested in different accents and dialects and the huge variety in spoken language. I think there’s a big culture of joking and playing with language in both countries too, and the creativity of ordinary people just chatting between themselves is certainly a big inspiration.
Becoming unemployed a few years ago was when I started writing every day and finding the depth and wonder in the ordinary stuff of day to day life.
What is the best poetry you have heard or written?
There’s such variety in poetry and spoken word I don’t think I have a ‘best’. I see a new favourite piece being born every week. I’ll shout out a recent performance of ‘No Strings’ by Thabani Tshuma (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ylc9QZEopJo).
The writing is flawless with not a syllable wasted and every aspect of his performance from the changing qualities of his voice to the physicality of his whole body are absolute perfection. I think the best piece I’ve ever written is ‘Poem, interrupted’ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npYBYVqm6Uc&t=192s)
Are there any themes or motifs that you gravitate to?
Mental health is the subject I keep coming back to, dealing with my own depression and anxiety through recovery and relapse and better recovery. I started journaling as part of my treatment and some of those turned into poems. I’ve learnt from that how to write through the initial thoughts and fears that weigh you down to look at things through another lens and reframe things in a more constructive way.
While I started doing that for myself, I think it’s also part of what made my poems accessible and engaging and, in the end, funny. Without downplaying the very real struggles involved in living with mental health issues, I also reached a point where I could laugh at myself and find some of my thought patterns and coping behaviours absurd.
You do Comedy as well as Poetry is the creative process the same?
They are similar in terms of starting to work things out in my head for both. I think that helps me achieve a natural, conversational quality that is more relatable. For me, writing stand up is harder than writing poetry. I’m more concerned about audience expectation for ‘punchlines’ in comedy and feel like I have less freedom to go through sections of light and dark. People like Hannah Gadsby and Simon Amstel have been doing amazing things with comedy in the last few years, having the courage and vulnerability to say ‘this is a serious bit, this really happened to me and I’m not going to cheat myself or my audience by deflating it right now. There’s a big laugh coming up in five minutes’.
Any Upcoming Events?
I’ll just say check out melbournespokenword.com and their socials for all the amazing poetry and spoken word events going on the week in and week out. You’ll often find me at the open mics and slams or doing a longer feature performance now and again.
Then get out and take part in a local open mic or a slam. We need you and we need your work. You don’t have to memorize anything, many people read from paper or their phone. The scene is very welcoming of new people and new voices.
Try a few events and find your ‘home’ that suits you best. Take part in all of it and be present to take in as many of the other poets as you can. I know it’s hard for some people to get out for various reasons, so look after yourself and do what you are able to.
Learn from everyone but don’t try to be anyone but yourself. Try things out and don’t let the idea of ‘perfection’ stop you from getting involved.
Stick with your practice and your craft when it doesn’t feel like your work is going anywhere and your own unique voice and style will reveal itself to you when it’s ready. Come and say hello if you see me, bonus points if you can buy me a drink.
Born in Perth and raised in the Blue Mountains now residing in Melbourne.
She is a Poet, Spoken Word Artist and Midwife bringing a fresh straight up perspective giving us real raw insight and bringing to the forefront topics of Motherhood, Violence and dealing with the past traumatic experiences
Performing at events across Australia she has blessed many a stage with her raw confident talent.
Morgaine van was also a member of the only Australian team to compete in the National Poetry Slam in Chicago 2018.
If you want to catch some knowledge and feels and just be in awe or even inspired, I recommend checking her out and get familiar with her work.
I was born in Perth but raised in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales. I’ve been living in Melbourne for the past 3 years.
How Long have you been writing/performing?
I started writing on and off as a teenager, but only started taking it seriously and performing after I moved to Melbourne and was introduced to an open mic poetry night by a friend.
If you could meet any poet dead or alive who would it be?
I’d be frightened to meet them because I’m fairly certain I’d make a complete tit of myself, but probably Leonard Cohen or Maya Angelou.
You competed in the National Poetry Slam in 2018, What was that like?
Mostly that was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed collaborating on group pieces and it was with a bunch of great people. It was good to see what slam is like in the US and meet a lot of other performers. There were also a lot of themed open mics, like the women’s and the Indigenous writers’ that I found really inspiring to watch and be a part of. It was also a great opportunity for all of us to travel to New York and perform outside of the competition, where we featured at the Bowery and had a go competing at the Nuyorican.
What is your creative process?
I’ve found it varies depending on what I’m writing. I know after I performed for the first time I ended up awake until the odd hours of the morning manically writing my next poem. Most of my writing starts out with a vague theme or a line written down in my phone or some notebook. If I’m given a prompt I can usually write something I like pretty quickly, but coming up with themes can be a bit of a hurdle for me unless I hear or see something that strikes a raw nerve. If I see something that ‘triggers’ me in a way, it can lead to manic late-night writing, just so I can get it out and go to sleep. Once I have something that I want to perform or an idea that needs to be fleshed out, I say it to myself over and over until I’ve memorized it and can rework the bits that don’t sound right.
How do you find the focus of your poetry?
I don’t really. I’m horribly inconsistent. If I’ve found something I like to work on I obsess until I get it right, but I go months without writing anything. I have found if I’m working with a group of people or I’m doing something like the Dirty Thirty Challenge online, then I can prioritize writing, mainly because I have someone or something to answer to. Otherwise, I’m fairly useless.
How has your life or environment inspired your poetry?
Just about everything that I have performed is based on my life or my family. Growing up in the Blue Mountains and spending my early adult years in Sydney also heavily influenced the imagery and themes I tend to gravitate towards.
What is the best poetry you have heard or written?
I used Rilke’s Put Out My Eyes as my wedding vows, so I kind of dig that piece. Also, Leonard can always break my heart. Seeing him perform A Thousand Kisses Deep live without any backing music was like a punch in the chest.
Are there any themes or motifs that you gravitate to?
Most of what I write is heavily autobiographical, drawing from my experiences in childhood, and the family history that has been passed down. I also write a lot about relationships, mental illness and experiences around gendered violence. There’s a lot of heavy stuff in there, but I do try to add at least a little bit of humour here and there.
Any Upcoming Events?
I think the next gig I have booked is not until November. I’ve just finished writing and illustrating a book of poetry called House of Broken Things, so I’m hoping to release that soon.
Any tips for the upcoming Poet?
The best piece of advice I got about writing was to ask yourself if it’s actually your story to tell. I think if you’re planning on performing your poetry, memorize it. It makes such a huge difference in the quality of the performance if you’re able to look up at your audience rather than relying on your phone or paper.
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Originally Pittsburgh PA…and I grew up in the Chicago suburbs…spent most of my life in Southern California…I lived in the So Cal mountains for 20 years!
How Long have you been writing/performing?
Been on stage since I was a kid…played in bands as a teenager…my writing (poetry/lyrics) caught up to my rock star ambitions lol!
If you could meet any poet dead or alive who would it be?
Hmmm, maybe Buchowsky…Shakespeare…Poe…Tesla…!?
What is your creative process? How do you find the focus of your poem?
Creative processes include ceremony…dreaming…vision space…astral projections…empathy…intuition…
I actually play with vision space putting some images relating to hermetic principles or metaphor from nature into my mind’s eye and following it…watching reporting stream of consciousness…poems are like children…at first, they are a thought…then a recurring thought…then they come out when they’re ready…and then they are performed…and have another life each time…
How has your life or environment inspired your poetry?
The So Cal mountains are inspirational for sure…but beauty and love are all around us…and authenticity is a profound teacher as well…
What is the best poetry you have heard or written?
Stream of consciousness…unfiltered…when meter and meaning have a psycho-emotional link to your experience and that transfers to an audience…
Are there any themes or motifs that you gravitate to?
For poetry readings…spoken word…my goal was to rip the audience’s heads off…to push the envelope emotionally visually symbolically…themes of nature…spirituality…even socio-political commentary…morality…the human condition…
You have a band project, Tell us a bit about it?
O.N.E. (Our New Earth) has been an ongoing musical project with various member line ups over the last 20 years…there were a release and re-release of the ONE Spirit album in the late 2007 and various single since…with a new album in the works now with a new Scandinavian label and what should work out to be a three-album deal over the next few years. http://www.reverbnation.com/ONESpiritMusic
Any Upcoming Events?
Currently relocating o Norway…
Any tips for the upcoming Poet?
Live the life that you want to write about…authentic is the only way an audience will feel you…
Show this Legend Some Love!!!!!!
Comment below or let me know who we should interview next!!!
As always any Poets/Artists/Groups/DJs/producers hit us up for an interview or Tag your Favorite Artists!!!!
Hustlers Handbook Music Revolution 