CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR INSPIRATION FOR ‘DON’T GO THRU MY PHONE’

DGTMP was inspired by receiving lots of lovely photos of eggplants!

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

My music influecnes are quite eclectic! When I grew up I listened exclusively to a lot of music from the 80s and was obsessed with Phil Collins, Janet Jackson, Madonna and Cydi Lauper. I’m into all of those vintage synth sounds!! More recently I’m super inspired by artists like Charli XCX, Yaeji and COBRAH.

Maybe I try to squash all of these influences together when I write my songs!

WHAT’S THE CREATIVE PROCESS LIKE FOR YOU?

At the moment it usually always starts with building the world of the song. When I sit down to write I try to allocate a lot of time to the process (maybe 6-9 hours without interruption) and I’ll zone in to the world I’m creating and focus on the feelings that the sounds I’m creating makes me feel. Usually a narrative kind of forms in my head and a concept or a story starts to emerge. I try to imagine the singer as the protagonist and based on how the music is making me feel I’ll just start singing random words and melodies until it kind of lands down as words in my phone.

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

More representation for POC, queer, non-binary and fem artists doing their thing! When I first started making music 15 years ago it was very music a “mans world” and I didn’t feel like I belonged or fit in. I think my journey as an artist has taken longer because all of the opportunities I’ve received I felt like I had to work extra hard to achieve them!

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

I’d probably channel all this entergy into painting. My other love is to paint and I used to do it all the time in high-school, but music is my bigger passion project!

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

I love collaborating with my friends when I write music and people that I can really trust and feel safe with. I only really work with people that I have a strong connection with.

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

DO UR THING! There’s enough room for everyone, I’m inspired by music that takes risks and is authentic to the artist. When I first started out, I looked around too much at what others where doing and thought that was what I should be doing. I was given this advice to just “be myself” early on as well, but it took me many many years to feel comfy to do that more. It’s a constant struggle though but I feel more comfortable now to just do my lane, and if people vibe with it then that’s amazing! If not, that’s fine too. ☺

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

I went to see Big Wett’s first show in Melbourne! And kind been obsessed with her ever since!!

FAVOURITE HANGOVER CURE?

Oh god, I need one! Someone give me some tips please! Maybe just SLEEEEP!

ANY UPCOMING SHOWS?

I’m going on tour!!

14 JUNE - BEARDED TIT - EORA / SYDNEY

17 JUNE - SCREAMIN GAY PRIDE PARTY MULUBINBA / NEWCASTLE

29 JUNE - THURSGAY - NAARM / MELBOURNE

A Quick Chat with Dirty Versachi