BOTA: When did you first start to record your music and have you always gone by the stage name of Mantra?
- I started recording in about 2002 (in a very humble fashion), under the name of Mantra. I did have another name very early on but I never released anything under that name. And I'm not telling you what it was!!
BOTA: Growing up who was your favorite artist and what sort of music did u listen to?
- There's no way I could pick a favourite. I've always listened to lots of different styles of music, but Hip-Hop was there from the start. I got my first Public Enemy tape when I was 7 and I never looked back. From there I got into heaps of different Hip-Hop artists and my tastes would constantly change.
BOPA: What inspired your first full length album, Power of the Spoken.
- I'd been working with groups for a long time so I just felt it was time to do a solo record. Peeps had been asking me about it for so long I didn't wanna wait any longer. I also tried to represent the full spectrum of my song writing style, so the album had lots of different themes and ideas lyrically.
BOTA: Your signed to Obese Records, how did you get noticed by obese.
- Pegz had been onto me for a while. He'd expressed interest in my first crew Equills, and Obese actually distributed Illzilla's first EP. He'd call me every now and then asking what I was up to, and if I'd ever consider doing a solo record with Obese. So when I finally had the album finished I hit him up and he was keen. It was great having a label be so supportive from the get go, it definitely took some of the pressure off me as an artist.
BOTA: What do you wish to achieve through your music, and what is your biggest goal for your music career?
- I'm gonna take my music as far as it will let me. All I want is for people to hear it. If they like it and can take something from it, thats brilliant. If not, thats ok too. Really for me music is the only thing I've ever been good at, so its all I want to do.
BOTA: Your music has a unique sound to it, how would you best describe your music?
- I hate this question, I find it really hard to sum up my own musical style. So all I will say is this: every artist should have a unique style. If people wanna check out mine, I'd love them to, so they can make up their own minds about what it sounds like.
BOTA: Your second full length album Spoken Volume dropped early last month, how was the response to the album?
- Its been unreal. All the feedback I've got so far has been amazing. It also feels like this album is appealing to more people than the last one did. I've always been good at talking to the Hip-Hop heads, but now I think some other crew are feeling it too which is cool.
BOTA: What was your inspiration for this latest body of work?
- This album came together much more easily than the first one. I was really motivated after we dropped Power of the Spoken so I was keen to get back in the lab as soon as possible. I had a much clearer idea of what I wanted the record to sound like and who I wanted to work with so I just wanted to get it cracking.
BOTA: I believe that there is a tour coming up for Speaking Volumes. Where will the tour take you and who's coming along for the ride?
- I'm gonna be joined on stage by Wasabi and Bam Bam. At selected shows we're gonna be supported by the incredible Tommy Illfigga, and at most of the VIC shows we'll be joined by In Good Company, who have just dropped their debut album. Its gonna be fun.
SPEAKING VOLUMES ALBUM LAUNCH TOUR DATES:
• SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER SPRUNG FESTIVAL @ RIVERSTAGE BRISBANE, QLD Tickets from www.ticketmaster.com.au
• THURSDAY 20 OCTOBER KAROVA LOUNGE BALLARAT, VIC Tickets from Oztix - 1300 762 545 www.oztix.com.au
• FRIDAY 21 OCTOBER HQ COMPLEX ADELAIDE, SA Tickets from www.venuetix.com.au or (08) 8225 8888
• SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER THE LOFT, WARRNAMBOOL, VIC
• FRIDAY 28 OCTOBER LEVEL ONE NEWCASTLE, NSW Tickets from venue (02) 4929 3067 or www.bigtix.com.au or Oztix - 1300 762 545 www.oztix.com.au
• SATURDAY 29 OCTOBER ANNANDALE HOTEL SYDNEY, NSW Tickets from www.annandalehotel.com or 02 9550 1078
• SATURDAY 5 NOVEMBER SURF COAST SPORT & REC CLUB TORQUAY, VIC Tickets available on the day
• FRIDAY 18 NOVEMBER STAR BAR BENDIGO, VIC Tickets from venue (03) 5441 8222
• SATURDAY 19 NOVEMBER EAST BRUNSWICK CLUB MELBOURNE, VIC Tickets from venue: 03 9388 9794 www.eastbrunswickclub.com, or via Corner Box Office 57 Swan Street, Richmond
• SATURDAY 10 DECEMBER JUMP OFF u/18 FESTIVAL BIRRARUNG MARR, VIC Tickets from www.thejumpoffu18.com
MANTRA
Speaking Volumes
Available: September 9th 2011
Obese Records | Premier Artists
facebook.com/mantrahiphop | myspace.com/mantrahiphop | twitter.com/mantra_mc
