Hailing from the land down under, Camikaze is Australia’s newest indie/dance artist who’s leaving an imprint on the pop world. His music takes you on a trip through his imagination. His newest single, “The Wasted One” featuring Mack Moses, takes an unorthodox approach at music with its haunting melodies and unique production style.
Expect music and collaborations in the near future as Camikaze continues to develop his already unique sound and check out our exclusive GroundSounds interview with him below!
Thanks for chatting with us Camikaze! For those just discovering your music, can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you got started?
My pleasure, thank you for having me! My musical background extends all the way to childhood. I played the drums & a touch of piano growing up. Rock and Roll & Hip Hop sort of influenced that. I stopped playing anything for a few years but dabbled lightly in a few looping software programs like garage band and acid making some whack hip hop. I was mainly tinkering around with making short movies on Sony Vegas until I was about 14 when I discovered Logic studio. Oooh boy did that take away all my time. Electronic music was just starting to really skyrocket at that time. I started listening to a lot of Skrillex and Porter Robinson and studied the hell out of the crazy sounds hey were making. Within 2 years I was putting up house music & hip hop under another alias. A year later when I was 17 scored my first record deal as Camikaze & I haven’t looked back.
What was the writing and creative process involved with your track “The Wasted One” featuring Mack Moses?
It’s quite hard to answer that, it’s almost just an explosion of craziness in my brain, It feels like a twitch that I need to get out. I think Mack understood me extremely well. He took what I wrote and turned it into what it is now. All the verses were his talent alone.
What has led you to develop this unique, personal sound?
I’m very prone to nostalgia and feelings alike. I love imagining childish and free scenarios in my head and trying to create what it would sound like. I love the really comforting sound of dusty old analog synths as they give that almost haunted vibrato to my sound.
What genre would you categorize yourself as? What draws you to this type of music?
It’s hard to say, I produce way too many different genres to settle down and marry one. I’m drawn to spreading my sound throughout all music, no boundaries.
What is your favorite thing about Australia?
Australia is my home. I come from the second most Isolated capital city on Earth. It’s spacey down under. I like that about Australia, but I also dislike it. WA also has the best beaches I’ve ever seen in my life. Despite being home to the deadliest animals on the planet it is a gorgeous place.
What was the inspiration for the name, “Camikaze?”
It was actually my Mum who came up with the name. She was reminding me of a story about how I was a bit of a troublemaker when I was younger. I was a “Kamikaze” running into things and because my irl name is Cameron.. yeah haha!
How does music make you feel? Why is it important for you to pursue this passion?
They say actions speak louder than words. I say music speaks louder than actions. It’s an addiction, it keeps me out of an asylum. I wouldn’t be here without it.
What bands/musicians are you currently listening to?
I’m really loving XXXtentacion’s trippy stuff & the new Gorillaz album mostly. Down for some Kendrick’s DAMN also. I really like Lil Yachty & the positive message he sends. I’ve always got time for Justin Timberlake. There’s so much more I could list, I’m always listening!
What’s next for Camikaze? What can fans look forward to?
Right now I am producing a bucket load of music. A bit of Hip-hop for other artists but I have a lot more experimental electro-pop music. Most of it kind of feels like 12 year old you & your mates riding push bikes at night through your local suburb to get to a slumber party old mate is having. Also, more haunting music is on the cards as well. I just don’t want to feel like this forever so I try to write all kinds of things. I hope to start working with some bigger acts in the near future too 🙂
Stay in touch with Camikaze: FACEBOOK | SOUNDCLOUD
