Project Description
Interview with
BONKA
Interviewer – Vicky Hebbs
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In Brief:
Amongst their relentless touring schedule across Australia and Asia, Australia’s favourite party boys ‘Bonka’ are back with their brand new single ‘Focus.’
Focus comes off the back of their chart topping single ‘Be Alive’ with international songstress Luciana, which was no stranger to Australian air waves. Along with their latest release on Laidback Luke’s imprint ‘Off The Set,’ which gained them support from major players around the world including: David Guetta, Timmy Trumpet, Morgan Page, Bingo Players and Laidback Luke himself.
‘Focus’ is nothing short of what we have come to expect from the dynamic Bonka pair. Instantly memorable melodies and a roaring top line from Bianca (who has put her flair on records for the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Will Sparks (Closure) and Tyron Happi & Joel Fletcher (Smooth Operator) ) creates a sing-a-long you can’t help but be a part of. On Remix duties, Sammy Boyle shifts ‘focus’ into the club realm with a catchy re-take for those on the dance floor.
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How did you first get into music? When did it become a serious concern?
Well I wouldn’t go as far as to say its ever been a concern! We got into music around about the same time we got into djing, when we were in highschool around the age of 15 and it’s been a passion for us ever since.
What kind of music did you grow up on?
Surprisingly, country music, I know it’s odd to imagine a DJ loving country music but I guess it just gives us a different sort of background to most DJs we know.
How did you meet and decide to start making music?
We actually met when Connor, hired me (Lachlan) to DJ at a house party in Brisbane. He came up at the end of the night and we got to talking, a few days later he messaged me to ask if I was interested in DJing in a duo, and if I would join him at another party the following weekend. Ever since then we have been playing shows and making music together!
How would you describe your sound?
The BONKA sound is all about energy and fun. The tracks we release whether they pop/radio records or more club-oriented tracks are all designed to get people jumping. Our “sound” basically stems from our shows, which are all about energy and enjoying yourself.
What have you got in store for 2019?
2019 so far has been wild, apart from our Australian and Asia tours (which we have just completed) we have already had a release on Laidback Luke’s MixMash Records imprint One’s to Watch, which has gathered support from a few industry heavyweights. When looking at it, it’s pretty humbling that artists like David Guetta, Timmy Trumpet and Laidback Luke himself are playing our songs. Looking at the rest of the year we have lots of music in the pipeline, first of which is the brand new single “Focus” with the lovely Bianca coming out on the 2nd of May. We are back on tour for that record starting mid May (the party never stops) and there are lots of interesting and exciting opportunities on the horizon, so keep an eye out for those announcements!
Have you got any live shows coming up?
We do have a few live shows planned actually; they will be falling under our Project BONKA brand which will be announced shortly on our socials.
What can people expect from a BONKA show?
Well two BONKA shows are never the same as our shows are constantly changing, in terms of the music we play, the interaction with the crowd and how we perform is constantly changing to best entertain the people in front of us. So to answer your question, I can’t really answer it in any other way than describing a one of a kind experience that you will not see anywhere else or ever again.
Who are your major music inspirations?
Musically lots of people inspire us, whether it be classical artists or people you listen to on a day to day on the radio or streaming. But the people we find inspire us are those who innovate and do things their own way. Peking Duk are a great example. Not only is the music they release amazing, but the way they went about it independently in the beginning and without following trends throughout their career has helped them transform into a different beast. I can’t see many artist either domestic or foreign matching them in terms of innovation and constant improvement.
If you could perform with anyone, Alive or Dead, who would you choose and why?
There are lots of people I would love to perform with but to keep it relevant to what we do, it would have to be AFROJACK or Hardwell. Since we first started these guys have been at the top of the industry and every time I have seen them play or watch a video of them, they absolutely smash it. Regardless of whether our musical taste aligns with them at all times, we could not deny that every time they take the stage they put on arguably some of the best DJ sets you will ever see. Ultimately we aspire to be like them so the opportunity to perform beside them would be something we would relish.
Do you have any longer-term goals or aspirations, musically?
Of course we do! Releasing music and touring those songs to every part of the world would be our ultimate goal.
Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVORITE:
Album – Graduation by Kanye West
Artist – Peking Duk
Movie – anything remotely related to our childhood (Shrek, Brave, Finding Nemo) the good stuff ;)
Place to visit – Koh Samui, Thailand. Couldn’t recommend any higher
Venue to play – in Australia, Eaton’s Hill. Overseas, Skygarden In Bali
Food – Can’t go past a good steak
Drink – Jager Bomb
Person in History – Freddie Mercury
Tattoo – (if you don’t have one, one you would get?) I always wanted to get all of my favorite Dr. Seuss characters in a sleeve on my arm, wether or not that ever happens, who knows :)
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The story of Bonka
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BONKA 2019 TOUR DATES
COMING SOON!
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Check out BONKA below
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