“Vanilla Skies” is some good old fashioned hip-hop. I was working with a producer exploring areas I hadn’t been for a while, and funnily enough, my mind had been in the electronic space for so long that it was refreshing to take it back to the essentials of the genre. Pretty introspective content with a sick guest verse from Sydney rapper Sage. I’m really keen to perform it live for the first time at Oxford Art Factory on Feb 5th.
How would you describe your sound in food form and why?
[pullquote]After the show on February 5th, I’ll be juggling three projects simultaneously. I’ve got some emo stuff to get out, so there’ll be an 808s and Heartbreak inspired mixtape, plus a second themed mixtape that I’m working on as a follow up.[/pullquote] A gin and tonic with pink grapefruit. A refreshing, tasty treat, incorporating an element you might not normally see, with a slight edge underneath the sweetness (you may be able to tell it’s a very hot day today)
Which of your songs resonate most strongly and why?
I don’t really perform it, but the first track I ever made/released, “All I Need”, really struck a chord with a lot of people. Beyond the fact that I was rapping like Nas, it has a simple, feel good chorus and clear narrative… It also won a radio competition so that helped as far as exposure goes! It’s the one people still ask me about today.
Tell us a quick, on the road, anecdote.
I like doing stupid stuff to amuse myself. Like, “damn, wouldn’t taking off my shirt mid set be a great idea?”. Or, “will anyone mention it if I just start a monologue about how much I love food?”. I love having dumb ideas and actually putting them into practice, and the joy of chuckling cheekily to myself in the lead up to it.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
I have great friends that send me a ton of new music. I can’t keep up with the genres – future bass? Jersey Club? Nu Synth Wave? I don’t know. It’s all sick. We just call it “is this trap?” (the eternal question). Regardless of what the genres are, seeing people pushing boundaries and wondering how to apply rap/spoken word plus the current mood I’m in to the wonderful soundscapes keeps me interested.
Which song do you wish you wrote?
It’s got to be “Renegade” by Eminem, because I delved so, so deep into the craft and technical nuance of the song trying to understand why it sounded so good to my ears. It was the genesis of me deciding to rap, and I still listen to it with the same reverence as I did 12 years ago.
What’s next for you?
After the show on February 5th, I’ll be juggling three projects simultaneously. I’ve got some emo stuff to get out, so there’ll be an 808s and Heartbreak inspired mixtape, plus a second themed mixtape that I’m working on as a follow up. Off the back of that, transitioning into the release of my first album later this year. I’m working with some really talented producers – Cam Bluff, PaperToy, MiniCoop and of course my little brother Young Dave, so it’s going to be out of control.
What’s your scene?
Give me good food, good (peated) whisky and good conversation and I’m the happiest guy in the city
About Joey Maker
Described by Austereo’s Hot30 countdown as “the next big thing”, Joey Maker’s first ever recorded track won an Australia-wide rap competition. The result: naBonal radio play and a trip to record two singles at Record Plant Studios in Los Angeles.
Since then, he has worked to build his profile in the Sydney scene, drawing on his experiences growing up in south-west Sydney, as well as inspiration from artists like Kanye West and 360. Making connections with local DJs and rappers saw him involved in projects such as the MusicNSW compilation “Bring It” (with SERECK, SKRYPTCHA). As well as proving his abiliBes on recorded tracks, he has built up a strong performance resume, playing a range of different venues (Qbar, Spectrum, Sandringham Hotel, Australia Day Stage at ParramaZa Park) supporting many Australian artists (Mailer Daemon, Joyride, M-Phazesand Spit Syndicate).
“Vanilla Skies” comes as the first release from a collaboraBon project with genre-bending producer Mailer Daemon. Recorded in Mailer Daemon’s lab in Newtown, “Vanilla Skies” showcases introspective lyrics over a hardhittng instrumental that combine New York hip-hop tradition with Mailer Daemon’s unique spin. Joey Maker’s laid-back delivery is contrasted with guest rapper Sage’s rapid-fire flow, with Julian Ramundi providing the chorus.
Speaking on the track, Joey Maker said: “Once I heard the beat, I couldn’t stop writing. I instantly knew where the track was going. We laid down my verses and some chorus ideas, but we knew we could elevate it even further… Mailer Daemon suggested we get Sage on the second verse, and as soon as I heard his energy it was clear we had something huge.”
Mandy is a music photographer & writer. She runs Mandy Hall Media, which includes Photography, Social Media marketing, PR & Graphic Design for the music industry. She is also a web developer - she created and supports this website.
