Project Description
Interview with
ARCHY STRANGER
Interviewer – Mirrin Gray
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Archy Stranger is a Melbourne based producer, songwriter and vocalist. Experimenting with a variety of styles, his production palette reflects influences from house, ambient electronic, hip hop and new wave to arrive at a unique brand of pop electronica.
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For any new fans, how did it all begin? When did you develop your love for making music?
I started making music when I was 15, it was just me messing around making weird beats on my laptop in my room. As my production skills developed I started doing some work for other artists and began to sing on my tracks for the first time after a couple of years. I was originally top-lining and doing vocals ideas for other artists but was encouraged to pursue singing myself after a few promising demos.
What kind of music did you grow up on? Which artists inspired you?
I grew up listening to lots of different artists and genres of music from hip-hop, folk, soul to electronica. I think all the music I’ve ever listened to has inspired me in some shape or form. But it’s the artists that push their creative limits that tend to inspire me the most. ANOHNI’s 2016 album Hopelessness I think is a good example of this and is a body of work that continues to inspire me.
What makes your sound unique? Why do you think people will resonate with your music?
I think what makes my sound unique is kind of what I was touching on before – the fact that I draw inspiration from many different places and genres. I guess my music is somewhat a reflection of that and not that easy to categorise into one particular genre.
Your debut EP, Place in Time, is coming out. Could you tell us about the process of creating it? What were the best and worst parts?
Place in Time is a collection of songs that I’ve been sitting on for a while now so it feels really nice for it to finally come out. All the songs were written and finished at different times in the last 3-4 years which is why they all tend to explore different themes and sounds. The one theme that ties the songs together and grounds the project is the fact that they were mostly written on a piano that I have in my family home.
You say this EP was created in the bedroom of your family home. Can you tell us about that room and how it helped you write these songs? What does this EP mean to you?
I don’t think there’s anything overly special about the room these songs were created in, however, being able to work from home and a place where I’m comfortable allows me to be more personal and vulnerable than I think I would be working out of some expensive studio. For me, the EP represents my first offering to the world as an artist. It’s really nice to be finally sharing these tracks and I’m looking forward to future releases beyond this as well.
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You’ve collaborated with some great musicians like Tkay Maidza, Tobiahs and Austen. What do you like about collaborating with others? How is it different to working solo?
I really enjoy collaborating and working with other people and it provides a nice break from working on my solo project as well. When you’re producing for other people you kind of have to get into their head and help them create their vision which is a challenge I enjoy. At the end of the day, it’s another artist who will have their name next to the song so you need to try and make something that they’re happy with.
What made you decide that now is the time to bring out a solo project?
I think I got the point where I’d figured out what I was trying to say as an artist and what I wanted that to sound like.
What song are you most excited for people to hear?
‘That’s It’. It’s the last track on the EP so if you make it there well done!
If you could pick absolutely anyone to tour with, whom would you pick and why? (Dead or Alive)
Lil Pump. Seriously. His Instagram makes me laugh so I know it’d a fun tour to be on.
What does the future hold for you? What are you hoping to achieve next?
I’ve got a whole bunch of production work that I’ve done on some other projects which should hopefully be out before the end of the year. I’m starting to put together a band to help me perform some of these songs from the EP live. I also got some new music that I’ve been working on that I’m hoping to share before the end of the year!
Finally, a few questions for some quick answers
FAVOURITE:
Album – Blonde by Frank Ocean
Artist – Kanye West
Movie – American Beauty
Place to visit – Philippines
Venue – The Forum, Melbourne
Food – Nachos
Drink – Beer
Person in History – Steve Jobs
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Check out ARCHY STRANGER below
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