Photos by James Simpson
Paces
Branchez
Dillon Francis
He’s been described as “the human equivalent of summer”, and we couldn’t agree more. Gold Coast producer Paces (aka Mikey Perry) has certainly enjoyed his fair share of success lately, and that is only expected to rise as he continues pumping out tracks probably made of pure sunshine. His latest single Hold It Down featuring the vocals of Reija Lee is no exception, and is the reason he is about to embark on his second national tour of the year come August and September.
It’s good vibes and carefree attitudes rolled into a track, tied together by kalimbas and breakdowns PC Music would be jealous of. It’s no surprise that there is an insatiable urge around the country to see the man himself play this to a heaving dancefloor, and considering he’s such a nice guy, he is happily obliging.From just sneaking into triple J‘s Hottest 100 earlier this year with the track he produced for Tkay Maidza (Switch Lanes), to becoming a club and festival favourite, Perry has become one of the more prominent names in the electronic scene, and his next tour looks set to only reaffirm this fact.
There are undoubtedly huge things still to come from the producer, and his infectious tracks and outwardly positive nature are the keys to his success. Not one to sit still for very long, we nabbed some time with Paces ahead of the 10 date tour to chat all things the internet, that time he remixed Tinashe and what the hell “swagwave” means.
I feel like I should congratulate you – it’s been a pretty big few months for you!
Oh thanks, it’s been good times lately!
Has there been any major highlights for you?
Oh yeah! Switch Lanes getting in the Hottest 100 was a big highlight for sure. That was one of the most surreal days I’ve had in music so far. I had no idea, I was at the beach with my dog and my girlfriend and I came back and my phone was just blowing up!
Well then from there, you’ve been pretty busy as well. A few singles under your belt and now your second tour of the year?
Yeah, I’m all about touring. I love it!
You’ve got a fair few dates on this one, and the same for the last one too – does that take it’s toll on you?
No, not really. I’m pretty at home with being out on the road and playing shows. I just love catching up with people, and I’ve got so many mates around the country from music so everywhere I go it’s like, “Oh yes! I get to catch up with this person!” It’s also really great just being able to connect with people who like my music as well. I love it!
Do you have any tips for being on the road so much? Making friends in different cities would be pretty good I’d say…
Yeah, that’s a really handy one because you’ve got people to hang out with and the occasional offer to crash at someone’s place if you need it. A good travel tip is to have a toiletries bag with a separate set of toiletries that you never unpack. Otherwise every week you have to come home, unpack, then repack it. You just have one that is already ready to go.
That’s pretty good!
It’s pretty handy!
So with this next tour, you’ll be hitting the road with Leon Osborn, right? How did that come about?
We’ve only met once, when we played a show together in Perth. I’ve just always thought his music was incredible and I think it’s a good match. I just want to see him play some sets! I’m a fan of him really!
It’s funny because I have heard of him a lot in the Perth scene, but it’s strange he’s never really cracked the national scene, in a way. This will probably be really good for him I would say!
Hopefully! Hopefully it’s good for both of us. If people are into my music, we might share a bit of demographic. There is a good chance people will be into both of our shows.
Are there any shows you’re particularly looking forward to? Any places you can’t wait to go back to?
I always love playing in Perth. It’s incredible. On the last tour as well, the Sydney and Melbourne shows were the biggest, so I’m interested to get back there.
I saw videos of you getting everyone up on stage during the last tour! Will that be happening again?
Most definitely!
I saw in one video, there were some girls actually fanning you with palm fronds?
*laughs* That was hilarious! I think there was an actual, real palm tree on stage and I had everyone up and then all of a sudden I was being fanned by this big palm leaf!
That is so good!
I couldn’t have planned it better!
Now, with Hold It Down – it’s such a rad song. I especially love the vocals on that track, from Reija Lee. How did that come about?
A few years ago she had a big EP out with a producer called Kito. It was out on Mad Decent and I was a huge fan of it, so she’s always been in the back of my mind as someone I’d love to work with, but I have never really tried to make it happen. Then, pretty recently I was having a chat with her brother who is actually Shockone. It just popped into my head so I mentioned it to him, and he was like, “Oh yeah! I’ll introduce you!” So a very short time later, we were making music!
That’s awesome! And it worked so well!
Totally. She’s a legend. She lives in London so we couldn’t get into the studio, but we Skyped a bit and it was really easy to communicate with so it all came together really easily.
That’s interesting that you say that. You also hadn’t met KUCKA, but you made Nothing’s Forever with her just through the internet as well.
Yeah! It’s funny, a lot of the time these days that’s just how it goes. It’s pretty rare that I’ve ever been in the studio, actually recording the vocalist. For me at least, I guess because I live on the Gold Coast too, there aren’t many touring artists that come through here in my area of music. It’s just easier to reach people long distance over email I think. But there are ways you can do it and still have input with it. You could send a reference track or show them some other song you think might push them in the right direction. But I just really like to let the singer come up with whatever is in there mind.
Oh okay, so they have the freedom over that part then?
Yeah exactly. They’re always going to get the best results if they have freedom I think, so it’s pretty important to do that. With Reija, I actually started that song with chopped up samples of someone else and it was just going to be like that. But then I thought that could work, so I removed the vocals and sent it to her, and that was the starting point for it.
Man, what a time to be alive! The internet!
*laughs* Isn’t it just?!
I find it so interesting. Some bands don’t even live in the same city as each other and they just work via the internet now! Is it weird to actually meet them in person after the song has been made?
It’s the coolest thing ever. The first time I met KUCKA was in Perth for our show there, when I was touring our song. She was going to come along and sing at the show. So the song was out, and it was getting lots of airplay and everything, but we still had never met. She rocked up to the venue and it was just like, “Hey, I’m Mikey! Hey, I’m Laura!” And we did the soundcheck and the track – it was almost like a celebration, like all the work was done now so let’s do the fun thing! *laughs*
That’s awesome! I have a question for you now: you describe your music as “future beat” or even “swagwave” – what does that mean? What is swagwave? I saw you use it and now it’s actually becoming a thing!
*laughs* That is so funny. I just started tagging swagwave as a joke on my SoundCloud, as a running joke. I just think it’s hilarious when people say things are “swag”. I just started calling it swagwave as a silly thing, but yeah it’s totally catching on now! I have seen it on blog features and stuff and people are actually taking it seriously. It’s like, “Paces’ latest swagwave release” *laughs* It’s out of my hands now!
No one realises it was a joke!
I want to see it become a thing.
Maybe you can combine future beat and swagwave as your next step?
Maybe! Future beat is a real genre. People recognise that as a real thing. But if we can get swagwave popping, I’ll feel like i’ve contributed something to popular culture.
In 20 years, we’ll be looking back and saying, “Mike Perry, where swagwave all started.”
Yeah!
With future beat though, I see that everywhere as well now, but how soon until we are IN the future that everyone is actually making music for? Will it just be beat?
That’s the million dollar question, really. We’ve sort of been there for like 5 years now, but because it’s called future, that’s the beauty of it. It’s always that new thing. It’ll still be the new thing in 50 years hopefully.
It’s so funny. Because of SoundClound and the internet, everything is blended and combined. I think I saw a track recently that was described as “aquatic future RnB” or something…
Wow… How bizarre!
It kind of worked, it was all arpeggios but I’m still unsure about it.
That sounds kind of cool, I’d like to hear some of that! Any aquatic future RnB artists, send me your tracks!
Shout out to the aquatic frontier! Now, I also wanted to talk to you about your Hermitude remix – that’s obviously huge. Hermitude are amazing!
Yeah, those guys are my heroes for sure. I’ve been a huge fan of them for a long time.
You’ve also remixed for Years & Years and Tinashe as well… What goes through your mind with that? Tinashe is like a proper pop star!
I know, hectic right? *laughs* The Tinashe one just sort of fell in my lap so I didn’t really have time to panic about it or anything. This opportunity just popped up with a really short deadline and I was just like, “Yeah that sounds great, let’s do this!” So I turned it out without really having to fret about it. But with the Hermitude one, I had enough time to have the existential crisis where you’re like, “Oh I could never do this song justice, but you know, anything you do in your own style is what they want so just do your thing – but I can’t do it!”
So a bit tougher with that one?
A lot tougher, because I had the time to worry about it.
Well I definitely think you did it justice. It must be such a trip though!
Yeah, it was pretty dreamy for sure. I was super psyched!
Looking forward now, what else are we talking for the rest of the year?
As we speak, I’m looking at eight instrumentals that I’ve got that are possible contenders for our next single. I’m about to have a phone meetng with my manager to see where we will go with those and get his vibe on them. From there, we’ll just start planning what’s next!
Straight back into it!
Yeah, totally. These things take a bit of time because it takes time to get organised with a singer and get the track made, then get it mastered, then scheduled with the label. There are a few months between making it and when it actually comes out.
So that’s your break time there?
If I’m not planning for the next thing now, the tour will end and I’ll have nothing going on.
You want to have something to come home to work on!
You’ve got to keep your momentum up. I’m always writing music so I may as well be putting it to good use!
Paces Hold It Down tour dates:
Fri 7 Aug – Flyrite, Perth WA
Sat 8 Aug – Beats In The Heat, Karratha WA
Fri 14 Aug – Shebeen, Melbourne VIC
Sat 15 Aug – Snowtunes Festival, Jindabyne NSW
Fri 21 Aug – The Brightside, Brisbane QLD
Sat 22 Aug – The Helm, Sunshine Coast QLD
Fri 28 Aug – Newtown Social Club, Sydney NSW
Sat 29 Aug – The Grand, Wollongong NSW
Fri 4 Sept – Cats @ Rocket Bar, Adelaide SA
Sat 5 Sept – Rattlesnake Motel, Gold Coast QLD
All tickets available here
Friday, as usual, brings with it good vibes that just can’t be beaten by any other day in the week. Add to that the fact that each Friday also brings with it our playlist made up of the best songs of that week, and you can understand why this day is such a great day in H&E land. This week we are serving up a electronica-heavy mix, with gems from local talents Golden Vessel, Oisima, Charles Murdoch and more. There is also a stellar new track from Jouk Mistrow, new stuff from MT Warning, a banger from Paces, an amazing collab by Alice Ivy and Chloe Beckwith and an very interesting number from LA Priest. Also joining the ranks is the new song by RW Grace (formerly Grace) and newcomers Noire, so you can rest assured your weekend listening is absolutely sorted. Enjoy!
Golden Vessel Ft. Tiana Khasi – Borrowed Time
Two Brisbane newcomers teaming up on this one. The silky smooth vocals of Khasi soar over Golden Vessel’s heavenly arrangements to create a powerful and intimate track showcasing just how much potential both of them are sitting on. Keep an ear out for the narrow end of the track where Golden Vessel takes over to show off his stellar production chops, and let Khasi’s serene singing wash over you like the beautiful cloud it is. Too much? Not enough.
RW Grace – Shell
Fun fact – this Perth artist was discovered by the late Heath Ledger when she was going under her full name of Grace Woodroofe. After that, she dropped the surname and stepped up her game, but it wasn’t until she changed her name one final time to RW Grace that she really stepped into her own. Shell is a badass, headstrong track that will make you strut down the street like you bloody well own the place. Huge rises and falls, soaring vocals and crashing percussion – Shell is heralding in a new era for the singer, and we can’t wait to see what comes next!
Luke Million Ft. Jesse Davidson – Fear The Night (Oisima Remix)
We featured the original version of this track a few weeks back, but never did we think we’d hear it like this! Oisima is having his biggest year yet, and it’s exciting to see what he can do with his remix hat on instead. Taking the disco floor filler into some sort of Middle Eastern jazz lounge (is there such a place?), the Adeladian breathes new life into the track, spinning it into something that would sit perfectly at home with his new album.
Paces Ft. Reija Lee – Hold It Down
This one’s a banger. There is something about Paces’ music that makes me feel like I’m on a deserted island somewhere. Reija Lee holds it down (pun intended) with her sassy lyrics, whilst Paces keeps it grooving with his hip hop laden, tropical beats. The pair are a match made in heaven, and I am hoping this is a sign of more new tracks to come from the Gold Coast producer.
Noire – Just Like Honey
Even though “dream pop” seems like the latest trend to emerge as of late, I don’t mind it one bit when it sounds like this. Sydney newcomers Noire have just released their debut single Just Like Honey – a crisp, gentle, but slightly melancholy track with emotion to spare. The high pitched guitar in the background drives the track as the drums pierce the wall of sound and the heavenly lead vocals. Totally sublime.
Jouk Mistrow – Oh Well
Brisbane band Jouk Mistrow dropped this bad boy just yesterday, but it’s already become one of my favourites for this week. The sound is huge, the band is tight and that lead guitar alone is enough for me. They’re celebrating the release tonight at The Milk Factory in Brisbane, and rightly so. I’m throwing caution to the wind and saying Oh Well is a turning point of sorts for this band. Keep your eyes peeled for more to come!
Alice Ivy Ft. Chloe Beckwith – Paint Me Blue
This is one of the more beautiful tracks I’ve heard in recent times. Starting off with delicate keys, a pounding bass drum and smoky, soulful vocals, Paint Me Blue had me hooked from about the first 10 seconds. Not that you should need anymore incentive to listen and purchase the track after hearing it, but Alice Ivy has decided to donate 80% of the proceeds to the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. A good song AND a good deed?! Click here to find out more!
MT Warning – When It All Bleeds Out
MT WARNING have been busy readying themselves and their fans for their new EP dropping next month on July 10, but this latest track is definitely my favourite by far. When It All Bleeds Out is unsuspecting and raw, whilst laid back and restrained. Going from a leisurely stroll to a full force sprint, the track gains momentum quickly, snowballing into a powerful, searing roar with delicate harmonies and beautiful lyrics. The band themselves said of the track, “Truth has no advisors, truth has no game plan. When it goes unobserved little pieces fall from you til there’s no pieces left. When It All Bleeds Out is an observation of that notion, waking up to what you really want and standing up for your truth, no matter the consequence.” Powerful words for a powerful song; we can’t wait for this EP!
LA Priest – Lady’s In Trouble With The Law
Former frontman of Late of The Pier Sam Dust has been hard at work with his solo project under the moniker LA Priest, with Lady’s In Trouble With The Law being his third and latest single for the project. Unsurprisngly, each release has been quite different from the rest, with this track being no exception to that. Continuing to reiterate that his forthcoming album Inji “is a record that has its own logic and exists in its own time zone,” this explains a lot about the tracks we’ve heard so far. Taking a step back from his usually frenetic tracks, this track has room for all the elements to breathe and move on their own, sounding slightly “pop-y” without sounding pop at all. Safe to say this is an album I can’t wait for, which drops next week on June 28!
Charles Murdoch – Straws
After keeping to himself for a while, there is no doubt that Charles Murdoch is definitely back with the release of his new track, Straws. Downtempo, deep and so damn groovy, Murdoch keeps it fresh yet dark with this new track – the first taste of his forthcoming debut LP, and his first original track since 2013. He’s clearly learnt a lot in this time, and it sounds to me like he’s ready finally show us all. Welcome back, Charles. Please never go away again.
Festival season may be winding down, but that doesn’t mean artists aren’t announcing more tours! here’s a few of the recently announced tours, complete with info, dates and where to buy those sweet sweet tickets.
Courtney Barnett
Miss the Melbourne songwriter at Laneway? Fear not. One of my new favourite artists, Courtney Barnett, has recently announced her upcoming full length album, alongside a new video and a complete set of Australian tour dates. Make sure to catch her while you can – having already played Glastonbury, Coachella, Bonnaroo and other major international festivals, I have no doubt it won’t be long before her Aussie appearances are fewer and farther between.
Barnett’s upcoming album, Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit, comes out on Marh 15 through Remote Control/Milk! Records.
Paces
Gold Coast producer Paces has been on up, up, up and up over the past year or so. Having produced for, collaborated with, or remixed pretty much everyone you can think of, proving himself time and time again to be one of the most hardworking people in the Aus music scene. Well on the way to developing a signature sound and style for himself with his bright, unique and catchy tunes, his latest single, Nothing’s Forever ft. Kucka is my personal favourite to date, showing off a darker side of his tone and style.
Now ready to take his show on the road, check out the dates below and get down to see him in Aus of New Zealand throughout March and April!
Gang of Youths
I discovered rock band Gang of Youths last year, and I haven’t turned back since. They’re bringing rock ‘n roll back to the Aus music scene in a way we’ve only seen in a handful of recent acts, and it’s refreshing as hell. Having spent time recording over in Nashville, Tennesee, they’ve developed a raw, growling sound that really sweeps you off your feet. As of this weekend, they’ll be on a short tour in support of their latest single Benevolence Riots. They’ll be releasing an album later this year, so get in while you can!
Carmada
Everyone’s favourite new electronic collaboration, Carmada, are heading out on tour in support of their recently released debut EP Realise. The brainchild of producers Yahtzel and L D R U, their mammoth hit single Maybe took us by storm last year, earning them heavy radio rotation and the 41st spot in the Hottest 100. Having already signed to Skrillex‘s imprint OWSLA, it’s clear that 2015 is going to be epic for them. As well as their own tour they’ll be appearing at Groovin’ the Moo and Mountain Sounds Festival, so you’ve got a tonne of chances to catch the boys in action!
- Sheep, Dog & Wolf, Egospect
I’m so utterly intrigued by this song. It’s the kind of tainted folk music that I really love – gorgeous melodies and acoustic guitars, but surrounded by unique instrumentation, fairly deep beats, and a generally compelling composition that keeps you wanting more. A seriously impressive new single from the 19-year-old New Zealander. - Monogem, Silhouette
I was recently introduced to Monogem and I”m so glad that I was. Deep bass and a crunchy synth complement the vocals perfectly. The melody is so catchy and bright, it’s the kind of song you could easily listen to a few times in a row. There’s a definite ’80s influence, but it manages to not be deemed a nostalgic track. I just love the overall vibe here, and I think you will too. - Genevieve, Human Again
Genevieve’s recent song Colours was by far my favourite for that whole week, and this one comes pretty close. Like Monogem, there’s a beautiful combination of synths and husky vocals. I love the airy soundscape and the breathy melody here, especially the chorus. Huge and sweeping, those lush notes are nothing short of breathtaking. - Paces, Nothing’s Forever (ft. Kučka)
Brisbane producer Paces has been popping up everywhere lately, really starting to craft a finely tunes sound and reputation. Featuring angel-voiced Kučka, this is bright and delicate, with a deeper beat than his last couple releases. The bass rounds out the helium high vocals really nicely, altogether creating a catchy, captivating musical atmosphere. - Medium Punch, Gone ft. Sibling
This track has a really lovely laid back beat, made up of a series of gorgeous, interesting beats and synths. The soulful melody is powerful and rich, with a velvety smoothness that perfectly contrasts with the slightly glitchy instrumental layers. - Babaganouj, Can’t Stop
Babaganouj are back, with a brand new single Can’t Stop. A feel-good indie tune with a bright melody, catchy guitars and huge distorted bridges, it’s the kind of track that’ll no doubt get crowds movin’ and swayin’. Catch them on their east coast tour in March! - Scholar, Daylight ft. Cypher
This is a really interesting song – it starts off really bright, with those plinky-plonky synths and upbeat rhythms, but they soon give way to a sultry, husky melody and a buzzing synth. Shuffling percussive layers come in, followed by snaps, an ambient soundscape and more. There’s so much going on in this soulful track, but it just works. - Bobby Gray, Alchemy
Sydney producer and DJ Bobby Gray has just dropped new single Alchemy, a breath of fresh air in the Aus electronic scene. It’s strange and funky, with a gorgeous melody atop semi-disjointed beats and rhythms – keep an ear out for the very cool percussive layers. A really interesting track, you can check out the wicked accompanying video clip here. - Collarbones, Emoticon
Sydney duo Collarbones have been going strong for a couple years now, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down. Their latest single is soulful and fun, with a shuffling percussive rhythm, ambient layers and an interesting melody. Showing yet another side of their diverse repertoire, catch the emotion-filled track on their tour, which starts today in Sydney. - Human Movement, Paradise
We’re ending on something a little dark and heavy today. Upcoming Sydney techno duo Human Movement have dropped new single Paradise, and I can safely say it’s a refreshingly deep new addition to the Sydney electronic scene. With a crunchy, driving bass and a swift beat, the track keeps progressing from one dark place to another.
It’s that time again! Here’s my favourite new tracks this week. Mostly down-tempo soulful electronic today. Enjoy 
- Milwaukee Banks x Andrei Eremin, Van Gogh
Melbourne producer Eremin’s new work with MB isn’t as deep and soulful as some of his other work, but there’s something so slick and catchy about it. Gorgeous rap-ish vocals with a flippantly electronic soundscape, this is a sweet collaboration. - Cln, Satisfy ft. Lou Millar
Another great collab to kick things off, cln has teamed up with Twin Caverns’ stunning vocalist Lou Millar for Satisfy, a husky blend of electro-beats with a trip hop vibe and a whole range of gorgeous, genuinely interesting layers and rhythms. - Ou Est Le Swimming Pool, Dance The Way I Feel (Paces Remix)
I’m SO digging Paces right now, and his blissful remix of Dance The Way I Feel is fucking excellent. It’s bright and plinky-plonky, contrasted perfectly with a heavy-ass bass and a heaving beat. It’s big, it’s fun, it’s bloody glorious. Love it. - Willow Beats, Chess
Another beautiful single from the uncle-niece duo, Chess combines a catchy beat with ethereal vocals and lush melodies, subtle synths and a couple big drops too. One of my top picks from their EP Water, strong on so many levels. - Lanks, Beach Houses
Mmmmmmm mmmmmm! This might be my favourite one this week. This dreamy blend of summer-vibes and hypnotic melodies, flute trills and a a whole lot of beautiful instrumental layers. What a smooth tune. I want so much more Lanks.
- Grace, Pluto (Basecamp remix)
Basecamp has done a fine job on remixing this new track, contrasting a deep, dark bass with those eerily husky, oddly toned vocals. It’s haunting and captivating from start to end. There’s a lot of variety with the beat and rhythm, overall, I dig. - Torfason, Feel Like Letting Go
Ooooh, this is a funky one. A great mix of electronic and instruments, I particularly love the bass work here. This track is hard to pin down, but it sure is interesting. A cool debut from the Brisbane group, I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next. - KUČKA, Divinity
This is an intriguing, hypnotic new single from the mysterious Perth artist. While the track doesn’t change or move a huge amount, there’s so much going on throughout this understated track that I can’t help but feel mesmerised. - Tobtok, Free ft. Hoodlem
I’ve been a little bit in love with Hoodlem for a while now, so any time I hear something new, I love it. This is a shiny electro- soul track with a solid beat and catchy hooks, topped by Hoodlem’s gorgeous vox. This track simply oozes cool. - The Occupants, Hindsight
Aaaaand now for something completely different. Ending a down-tempo playlist full of subtle electro beats with sensual female vocals with what I can only describe as indie-prog-rock might seem weird, but I was so taken by this track from The Occupants, featuring former members of none other than Cog! Not gonna write more about it, just give it a listen