To kick off the new year we caught up with Coptic Soldier of the independent Sydney label, I Forget Sorry to talk about his new mix tape and his upcoming residency at Sydney's Local Taphouse. Make sure that you check out his mixtape along with the other I Forget Sorry mix tapes that were all released on Christmas Eve.
BOTA:You have just released a mix tape entitled "Their Sound, Our Wings" along side fellow I Forget Sorry Artists; Johnny Utar, Phatchance, Smiles Agin and Mind Over Matter. Can you explain the title and where the main concepts for your mix tape came from?
Coptic Soldier:Well Smiles came up with the idea to do the mixtapes, so we just went for it. To explain the title of my mixtape it basically came from the fact that I am using other people's beats/ music I.e. "their sound" and am using it for our experience/journey I.e. "our wings".
I guess that some would say that for a label to release a mix tape for each of their artist's at the same time could be risky and seen as flooding people with new music. When making this decision did this ever come across as an issue of concern for yourself or any of the other artist's in I Forget Sorry.
It was something we raised but we basically went "stuff it", let's drop all mixtapes as a big Christmas present and flood people!!! Haha. Based on the reactions from our facebook fans/twitter followers/hard copy sales I think the risk payed off, people really responded well.
BOTA:One of my favourite tracks from all of the I Forget Sorry mix tapes has to be Lordy May. Yours said this in a press release following the release of the mix tape, " Is all music spiritual? Regardless of your religious beliefs I believe that it is, and as I wrote this song I guess I came to the realisation that if music is only used as a tool for selfish needs, i.e. gaining fame – then it is the true abuse of one of the greatest gifts mankind has been given." I and many others would have to strongly agree whit this statement however I also believe that for musical to truly be spiritual it must be shared with others. So i guess that there must be some sort of trade off when it comes to someone like your self, you must want to succeed in your profession but at the same time keep it real and alive, How do you achieve this balance?
Coptic Soldier:I guess quality and reach are the two key factors for me. We want to get our music out to as many people as possible and try to achieve the highest quality music we can. Without charging for our music there is no way we would be able to achieve this initially let alone make it sustainable. Ideally yes, I think music/art should be free, but capitalism doesn't allow us too. Haha
BOTA:The track "On Edge, Ft Koolta" from your latest mix tape sees you reminisce about the mistakes you made when you first started out in the scene, signing to a small record label (Nurcha Records). What advice could you give to aspiring artist out their who are looking to break into the scene?
Coptic Soldier:Don't release music until you have mastered your craft, and don't sign to the first label that gives you half a look.
BOTA:In late 2011 you released a film clip for the track "Liquid Company" which was filmed at NIDA after winning the Triple J Unearthed & NIDA's Video Clip competition. What was it like to work with the team at NIDA what were the ideas behind the film clip. Secondly, the first lines of this track really sums up what its about. "Feed me more booze before the room evacuates cause i need this as an excuse to communicate." What inspired this track?
Coptic Soldier:I basically wrote the track when I was out one sat night pretty distant from the party around me. I simply wrote what I saw.
Working with the NIDA team was awesome, I thought they did a great job in capturing the story and feel of the song visually.
BOTA:I guess that its safe to say 2011 was a fairly successful year for yourself, with the release of Sound of Wings 2 (acoustic) and now Their Sound Our Wings mix tape along with a three week residence at Sydney venue, Oxford Art Factory. What can we expect from Coptic Soldier in 2012? (talk about the residency at The Local Tap house)
Coptic Soldier:First week of Feb I will start a 3 month residency at Sydney's Local Taphouse every sat night. I'll be playing with a 3 piece band this time (really stripped back), I can't wait!!!!
