A QUICK CHAT WITH CHAVEZ CARTEL

Can you tell me a bit about your inspiration for your single ‘Dead Weekend’?
I think I answer this question differently each time I’m asked but it sort of spawned from feeling like you’ve been kicked around by life. Collecting your scars and moving on wiser. It’s definitely a song about being beaten down but it’s also a song about getting back up. It’s got a lot of fighting spirit and that filters down from the lyrics to the music. 

 What are your influences and how do they affect your songwriting?
We’ve got loads of influences. This song in particular is inspired by two songs. ‘Colossus’ by IDLES and ‘In Every Dream Home A Heartache’ by Roxy Music. The long drawn out slow burns certainly had their effect on this song. 

What’s the creative process like for you?
Often different. Sometimes the lyrics are written first. Sometimes it’s a few notes or chords. Sometimes they’re jammed live and together as a full band. Sometimes there’s no creativity at all but that’s usually when we’re flat out with tours or promo. Regardless of how the creativity comes we have gotten better at collaborating between ourselves so the process is a lot smoother these days compared to earlier years. Way more efficient these days. As we should be 

If you could change something about the Australian music industry what would it be?
I feel like most of the industries problems are geographical. I’d just pick the country up and dump it right in the middle of Europe and America and everything would just sort itself out. Easy fix really I dunno why no one’s thought of doing it. 

 What do you think life would be like for you if you didn’t have music as an outlet?
I couldn’t say for certain there’d still be life. Grim but true 

Is there anyone you would like to collaborate with?  Why?
We’re working on a small collaboration at the moment with a Brisbane producer called Callan Holstein (aka Phasing). He had a hand in co producing our latest record and he’s a forward thinker, we really dig his modern style. So I’m doing a vocal on one of his own tracks. This particular track is in the same ball park as what we’re doing so it’s a really smooth and natural collaboration. So far anyway haha

What’s your advice to young people who want to make a career for themselves in the industry?

First of all I’d start by saying there’s people in the industry way more qualified to answer this question than me but my advice is keep chipping away at it and enjoy the process. The process of improvement is never ending so there’s an opportunity there for infinite enjoyment. Which is why we’re doing it anyway. Never forget that. 

Who’s the most interesting person you’ve worked with/met?

Govinda Doyle. He’s won ARIAS for his production but you’d never know with how he carries himself. So kooky and humble and helpful and respectful. He’s an absolute fountain of musical knowledge and you never leave his presence without some sort of quote or tip to take away with you. Great musician, great and now a great friend too. 

Any plans for a tour on the cards?

We’re organising our first international tour at the moment. We’re heading to the UK in May to promote the upcoming EP. We’ve got some festival slots which will be announced shortly and the side shows are to confirmed soon too. Exciting times!