The concept behind the organization Playing For Change is a beautiful path to connect people around the world. The idea is to get musicians from around the world to pitch in and play a song together. The produced videos on their webpage take the viewer on a trip around the planet and its cultures through a rainbow of instruments and sounds while covering some classic tunes. Do check out their page, support the cause and, above all, listen to the music!
In November of last year an album was released filled with political hip hop and smooth jazz and soul driven tones. The artist, engineer and producer, Pataphysics, writes on his Bandcamp page that the album was recorded on the land of the Wurundjeri people in Australia. I contacted Pat to learn more about that statement, about this latest album of his, flow vs. content and his work with the refugee community in Melbourne.
For those not familiar with your work, who is Pataphysics?
I write lyrics, produce music, play trumpet as well, record, and mix a bunch.
How did you get into making music?
I always loved music, I used to rap in primary school, just making up lyrics about anything. Got more focused in high school.
You recently published a new album, Tip of the Spear (Nov. 2017). How was the process behind making that album?
On this record I try do dig deeper, engaging with content I had not previously wrote about. A lot of the songs and ideas presented on this record took a while to develop and articulate. I wrote a lot of songs and music until I achieved the sound/vision I had in my mind.
What are some of the greater developments since your debut album, Subversive (2012)?
I have enjoyed performing live and touring. Released an EP, then working on the new album while taking time to write and collaborate on other projects.
Has social consciousness or political messages always been a part of your music making or has it evolved gradually?
Ever since I started performing I enjoyed exploring these ideas. As I have grown as a person and thinker so has my content.
“If you are saying important things but have no flow, the listener might not feel it. I feel it’s like a poisoned tipped arrow. If one doesn’t get you, the other will.”
How important is it for you to write lyrics with the right political words versus less important words but that flow better for the rhythm of the song?
They are just as equal in my mind. Both need to be 100. If you are saying important things but have no flow, the listener might not feel it. I feel it’s like a poisoned tipped arrow. If one doesn’t get you, the other will.
You are the Music and Arts coordinator of R.I.S.E. (Refugees, Survivors, and Ex Detainees). Can you tell us more about that project and how you got to be a part of that?
R.I.S.E is the only organisation of its type run by refugees in this country. It does amazing work in the community. I often would work and mentor emerging artists in an informal capacity, when R.I.S.E began they asked me to help out and I was more than happy to help.
It is stated on your Bandcamp page that the album is recorded on the land of the Wurundjeri people. Can you tell us more about that?
They are the traditional owners of Narrm (Melbourne). The people who were here before invasion. Australia is one of the only countries that doesn’t have a treaty with its first nation peoples.
Refugees and the movement of people seems to be a topic you touch upon in more than one song. How important is the that issue for you? Is it close to you where you live?
In Australia we lock refugees indefinitely in “detention centres” prisons. This is against International conventions we have signed.
Who are your favorite political musicians out there, current or old?
Public Enemy were a HUGE influence on me. Chuck D is such an amazing human. Also love Rage against the Machine. These days ‘Bambu de Pistola’ is one of my favourites.
What’s on the horizon for you?
Bunch of live shows, finally getting out of the studio more now that the album is finished and out. But I am also writing more music, working on new material and producing for a number of artists in Melbourne.
Thank you so much for participating and for the work and music you make. Anything else you would like to shout from the rooftops?
If you wanna hear my album and my other music it’s available on spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5nIM4nB0A65tmrwoG1GH3w
Cover photo by Paul H.
From Belfast comes Andy White who has a love for music and strong opinions about the societies he lives in. We contacted Andy and learned more about his music and about his future plans of wearing sunglasses more often!
First off, for those not familiar with your work, who is Andy White?
He’s an Irish songwriter/troubadour from Belfast City. He writes words. A lot of words. Sings, plays the acoustic & electric in public. Bass, piano in private. Knocked on the door with ‘Religious Persuasion’ some years ago, and his new album is ‘The Guilty & The Innocent’.
“Growing up in Belfast it was obvious that someone had to say something. Making something beautiful out of chaos is what my Mum taught me.”
How did you get into making music and especially protest music?
My grandmother played the piano, taught the piano, loved the piano. I listened to The Beatles, T Rex and Bob Dylan on my Dad’s Pye Black Box record player. Scribbled poetry. Knew during punk that anyone could do it. Growing up in Belfast it was obvious that someone had to say something. Making something beautiful out of chaos is what my Mum taught me.
Are you a part of a strong, like-minded scene in Belfast? Or do you feel alone at times and that more people need to use their voices responsibly through their music?
I played at Tom Robinson’s Power In The Darkness 40th anniversary show last week. I had been at the first as a schoolboy. It was like when the Sex Pistols played Manchester – everyone at the gig went and formed a band, started to write music, or ended up in rock’n’roll.
There are no rules of art, and ‘responsible’ doesn’t feel right – though it should just ‘be’. Use your own instinct to select. Do what feels right and watch out for what’s not.
Can you share some of your favorite political/socially conscious/protest bands or musicians, current or not?
Kendrick Lamar, Courtney Barnett, Tom Waits, Sinead O’Connor (always). John Cooper Clarke, Billy Bragg and Tom Robinson. The Streets.
Do you partake in other activist activities outside the music?
Demonstrations.
What do you think you’d sing about if the world was all of a sudden kind and full of empathy between all people and animals?
Ha ha dream on!
How do you feel people are receiving political music these days?
With earbuds.
What is on the horizon for you?
Wearing sunglasses more often! Touring this album, I want people to hear the songs.
(insert from Shouts: Apparently when one writes ” 8) “, as in the question number, in the chat on Facebook it automatically changes it into a sunglasses wearing emoji.)
Thank you very much for participating and for the music you make!
Thank YOU!
