Words: Dylan Marriott
Speaking via video chat from somewhere within Brisbane (Meanjin)’s mountain range, Fatshaudi excitedly shows me the view from their window. The tranquility of these surroundings seem to have inevitably found their way into Fatshaudi’s latest release, a two track EP with an appearance from Organ Tapes. Both tracks are driven by acoustic guitar and soft vocals, a tender and personal theme running throughout the project.
“I feel like it’s about trying to make music that’s for me – music I’d listen to and enjoy. This feels like the most ‘me’ music I’ve ever made.”
The artist says, their voice occasionally interrupted by native birds.
The EP is smooth and melancholy, looking inward unto itself. The second track’s ballad feels almost like a lullaby as the two artist’s voices intertwine. When asked about the sound they have been exploring recently, Fatshaudi responded:
<FATSHAUDI>
I don’t know, I feel like I first started making music in a weird way. I was into black metal and droney stuff and just used hardware, It was kinda dark and angry. Then I think when I started making electronic music on my computer I tried to carry that over but it doesn’t really feel like me anymore.
<CO>
Are these two conflicting styles a reflection of how you are feeling at the moment compared to back then?
<FATSHAUDI>
I feel like at the time, it was a reflection of my taste. Soundcloud and new friends exposed me to a happier kind of electronic music, and I feel like now I’ve kind of found a bit of an intermediate between my older stuff, all of my influences and all the stuff that I like.
I’m still figuring things out. I’m still a baby with this, so I feel like it’s just taken me a bit to land on the style that feels really comfortable and really me, and I think this is it for now. Shout out archer for showing me all the beautiful guitar music that inspired this EP.
Stream the EP:
