A Quick Chat With Powloh

CAN YOU TELL ME A BIT ABOUT YOUR INSPIRATION FOR EP ‘COLD SUMMER PARADISE’

I feel like I’m always searching and discovering myself through music. My curiosity and hunger to experiment, learn and do new things always drives me to want to create. There’s a big world out there of music and I’ve always gravitated towards experiencing as much of it as I can. While there is a uniform sound to the overall EP, the songs really differ from track to track and that’s my biggest inspiration, getting to explore different parts of myself through each song I make. 

WHAT ARE YOUR INFLUENCES AND HOW DO THEY AFFECT YOUR SONGWRITING? 

I’m currently living near the city in Naarm/Melbourne but I grew up in the outer suburbs and originally started off in the underground Hip Hop scene. I came up through DJing and from there found my way into production and electronic music. One of my favorite albums is ‘Random Access Memories’ by Daft Punk, for their humanized approach to electronic music on that record. I also listen to a lot of blues and guitar music in general, B.B King, SRV, Marcus King and funk guitarists like Nile Rogers, Eddie Hazel (Funkadelic) and Cory Wong (Vulfpeck). These different places and experiences along with my love for electronic music, vintage synth sounds, programmed drums but also live guitars and bass lines have been a big influence in how I currently write music. 

WHAT’S THE CREATIVE PROCESS LIKE FOR YOU?

I usually do everything in my home studio, it’s where I feel most comfortable. I’ll often start with a guitar or synth and get something nice going recording straight away. I’ll usually spend around 30 minutes or so on an idea and then decide if it’s something I want to pursue, if not I clear the slate and start again. I’ll do this on repeat until something feels right, testing it with rough vocal ideas. If vocal melodies, lyrics and ideas come easy I’ll know it’s what I want to lock in on and from there I’ll just go at it with everything I have. I never really got taught anything, most of what I do I’ve just learned while doing it and I continue to learn new things that way. I bought my first bass guitar during lockdown and I was learning to play while I was recording songs on the EP. My approach has always just been to figure out what I want in the song and then find a way to put it in there. 

IF YOU COULD CHANGE SOMETHING ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY, WHAT WOULD IT BE? 

More support and avenues for local independent artists along with more access to the industry, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Music tells stories and there are so many others that need to be heard. 

WHAT DO YOU THINK LIFE WOULD BE LIKE FOR YOU IF YOU DIDN’T HAVE MUSIC AS AN OUTLET? 

I’ve always felt like there’s something inside of me that needs to make music. A lot of how I process my thoughts, experiences and emotions, along with how I’ve grown to understand myself has been through writing songs. That said, if I didn’t have music I’m guessing I would have found another creative outlet out of necessity more than anything. Before I locked into music I was into art and painting and I’ve gone deep into a lot of different passions throughout my life and there’s a good chance I’ll dive into more. I naturally gravitate to things that give me a way to express myself but also that feeling of freedom or just flowing. Although I know I can access these things through different creative outlets, music has always been my most natural way.

IS THERE ANYONE YOU WOULD LIKE TO COLLABORATE WITH?  WHY?

To be honest I’m not like most artists who are hungry to collaborate. I’m naturally quite introverted and I fell in love with making music as I didn’t need anyone to be able to do it. I’m always so happy to sit by myself in my studio, although collaborating is something I’m hoping to do more of. I do enjoy seeing others' processes, and the different directions a session can go with a combination of minds guiding it. I’d like to collaborate with anyone I can feel comfortable around and share ideas with.

WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WANT TO MAKE A CAREER FOR THEMSELVES IN THE INDUSTRY? 

I don't know if I’m the one to be giving out advice on the music industry. I’m still baffled that I was somehow able to sneak myself in here. I guess I’ll just say, build a like minded community of people around you that share similar values and are heading in the direction you want to go. Find yourself mentors and people you can trust that can guide you. That and get ready to work hard.

WHO’S THE MOST INTERESTING PERSON YOU’VE WORKED WITH/MET? 

I’m blessed to have met a lot of people through music, but the person that stands out as the most interesting would have to be my late friend Peezo who sadly passed away in 2018. He was a rapper from Byron Bay that moved to Melbourne to chase his dreams and he hustled hard like rappers around here do. He was confident and extroverted and brought a lot of people together and had built an amazing community around him. I wish more people got to witness his genius. RIP Peezo. 

ANY UPCOMING SHOWS?

Yeppp, I’m currently working on locking in some shows for later in the year and have been pulling my band together. Stay tuned!