After the resounding success of his debut album “Good Gracious”, M-Phazes is super hot property and to coin a phrase “the man of the moment”. It seems like when ever you turn on the radio or open up a street press you are greeted by some fresh M-Phazes hype. Having débuted at # 20 on the ARIA charts, an accomplishment no other local producer has achieved, Phazes has also enjoyed mammoth radio success and rocked shows around the country. itsofficial caught up with the undisputed beat king of oz him self just before he embarks on a national tour to find out how he is coping with his recently found “new fame” and to try get to know the man behind the boards… Good gracious!
Firstly congratulations on the success of your début release “Good Gracious”.
You have worked with a “who’s who” of Australian hip-hop on this joint. Tell
us a little bit about the production process and how you hooked up all the
collabs:
It was a slow process at first, I sent a few beats out to some of the
artists but I really didn’t have a solid direction for the album, it wasn’t
until I got back from the USA that I dove right into the thick of it and had
an idea of the sound I wanted. Once that happened it was a smoother
process. I would send the artists 2-3 beats custom made for them. All the
people on the album are friends either through working together or just from
knowing the same people.
The album is called Good Gracious and I see you have this phrase tattooed
on your arm. What does this mean to you and why have you chosen this tag as
the title of your debut album release?:
It’s been a little tag line of mine for a long time now. It was first
mentioned by a guy called Median who opened up with the line on a song I did
with him and Kenn Starr way back. He said “M-phazes, Good Gracious” and the
moment I heard it, it just stuck out as something that could make a dope tag,
or like a motto or something like that. I also used it to tag beats so people
couldn’t use them without hitting me up first… and then it just stuck. I wanted
this album, as it’s my debut, to sort of mark a time in my career and naming
it Good Gracious sort of does that.
I was lucky enough to have beared witness to your album launch at he espy which
was easily the most ambitious local artist’s show I have ever seen. Tell me
how you reacted to the super-star response you received and if this is
something we can expect for the upcoming album tour you are about to kick off
next month:
It was overwhelming, to say the least, having that many people come to my
show (over 850 people in one room). Of course it wasn’t without the help
from all the artists and production crew involved. They made the night
special from the visuals, to the lighting, sound, stage hands and artists
everyone really gave it 110% and the night turned out to be amazing! The band was incredible also. I haven’t been a Melbournian for long, going on 4
years, but I think anyone who has moved here can attest, you feel at home
after 3 months. The city just engulfs you, so I wanted to put on the best
show possible for my new home!
The tour will be as exciting! It will be scaled down to size but still as entertaining
I believe. All the shows so far have been amazing!
So do me a favor tell us what we can expect from this upcoming tour and if
you have any surprises in store that we may not be expecting:
I have some special guests for all the shows, some different guests in
certain cities, but I have threatened them all with serious nipple cripples
if they don’t have spectacular performances! So they better deliver! Apart
from that I have some little treats in store, lots of crowd participation
and good music!
You are featuring different guest artist in most
states. How do you manage to rehears your show with artists who are from
interstate and that you may not have preformed with before?:
I don’t really, they all know the tracks, but in Sydney I have a full live
band run by my homie Sean Windsor (Sdub). He is on top of rehearsals with
the band and is keeping me updated on their progress. It’s more a case of making
do with what I have, but so far there hasn’t been many major stuff ups so
I’m happy!
I see that you have brought stable mate Mantra along for the entire tour.
Tell me about touring with Mr. Mantra and what you think of him as an emcee:
He is a great dude in general and an amazing performer. We get along, he
never fails to impress me with his performance, and we have worked together
a bit so it made sense to bring him along. Plus his album dropped not too
long ago so it’s great for him to be out on the road. The crowd loves him!
People were chanting for him before I even got on stage at the last show!
You are clearly a jew, so how much of a tight ass are you really?… just
kidding but tell us a little bit about your background and where you have come
from and the relocation from the Gold Coast to Melbourne:
I am Jewish by heritage, but I don’t practice, I wasn’t raised in a Jewish
household. I lived on the gold coast for 25 years. Probably the worst
mistake I have ever made was staying there so long, but no regrets. Moving
to Melbourne has been great, so much more to do here, opportunities are
greater, and the music scene is amazing. Best thing I have ever done!
Since you made the big move to the hip-hop capital of Australia,
Melbourne, I see that your boy Syntax has followed suit. Is there a plan to
get the whole Trace Elements crew back together down south?:
Not really, Tac tic one has settled down on the gold coast, he is getting
ready to have a kid so I doubt he will be leaving. I know Mules has talked
about moving to Melbourne but not sure if Haunts the god will. Guess we’ll see what happens! Those guys have their shit going on up there and it’s
going really well so it might not even be worth moving!
As busy as you are with Good Gracious, which seems to be your assault on the
local scene, you also seem to be pretty busy making hits for international
artists too. Who can you tell us you are working with at the moment and can
you give itsofficial an exclusive and announce any upcoming collabs:
I wouldn’t say hits, only had 1 single so far with Amerie and it was a bit
of a dud, but I’m grateful to get to work with all the artists I do. Right
now I’m working with Pharoahe Monch, Redman, Jean Grae, David Banner, 9th
Wonder’s new stable or artists, Slaughterhouse and a few others, no
complaints at all on that front.
It seems like you have achieved so much in such a short time since you came
to attention a few years back. What do you think is your greatest music
achievement to date and what accomplishment would you say you are most proud
of?:
I’ve been doing this for about 10 years now, it’s been a long road, as corny
as that sounds. Maybe I wasn’t so much in the spotlight but it hasn’t been a
short time by any means. So far, getting to work with some of my idols like
Masta ace, Monch, Redman and people like that. Also winning the One Stop
production comp with judges like Premo, Pete rock, No ID, 9th, Swizz beats
and heaps more showing me love was a definite career highlight
So let¹s get down to serious business Mr. Good Gracious. I understand that
you are single, so how much pussy are you actually getting off your Good
Gracious fame?:
I am not going to divulge such information. Let’s just say not as much as
Illy, and he doesn’t get that much. Haha!
I know you have already started doing a few shows of the tour, do you have
any “stay on tour” stories yet you are prepared to share with us?:
Nothing I can tell without permission from Phrase. I would say I am probably
the “old man” of the tour party. I’m the guy hitting the hotel first to
sleep. Sorry to be the boring fella!
Since you have been doing shows around the country, can you recommend any
dope food spots that we can look out for when off the beaten track?:
Coffee Club in Mackay does the illest breakfast! Probably the same
everywhere as it’s a chain. New Albury hotel in Albury for the best pub meal
around! Can’t remember anywhere else
You quit you day job earlier this year to concentrate on music and become a
full time producer. So what is an average day in the life of M Phazes?:
I actually quit last year, it’s been a while since I’ve worked a day job but
I love it! I try and be up by 8 or 7:30 when I can be arsed. Shower, coffee,
breaky, and in front of the computer by 10. Right now I’m on a pretty
strict gym regime so I go 5-6 times a week, usually around 12:30 – 1
depending and sometimes later in the arvo, I work all night up until 11 then
wind down with a movie or a TV show or whatever. That’s a very general run
down, day to day varies though depending on if I have a session with a
musician, meetings, kicking my managers ass and what have you…
What’s next for M-Phazes in terms of releases? Are you working on your next
project and what can we expect in the way of a follow up from Good Gracious?:
Right now I’m working on a bunch of things. Illy’s record is the main one
I’m working on though but we are trying to wrap that up in the next couple of
weeks. I will eventually do a follow up but no plans as of yet. I want to
do something different so I’m just waiting to find out what that is. I want
to travel a bit too!
Thanks for talking to itsofficial and giving us a bit of insight into your
world. Before you go is it true that you think www.itsofficial.com.au is the best website
on the worldwide web and is it in fact true that you think I am the most
handsome interviewer that you have ever had the pleasure of speaking with?:
It’s official is for sure the alpha and the omega of interweb sites in this
known universe! It pretty much wipes its ass with every other site,
including 2 girls 1 cub, and 3 guys 1 Drever. And yes Josh you are in fact
the most handsome interviewer I have had the pleasure of speaking with… now
can I have my $10? Cheers
Catch M Phazes’ on the GOOD GRACIOUS TOUR with dates around the country in August/September [INSERT LINK TO FLYER HERE]
Interview by Josh Drever.
Catch M Phazes’ on the GOOD GRACIOUS TOUR with dates around the country in August/September
