Interview Slatz

In this exclusive interview with the innovative band Slatz, we delve deep into the origins of their genre-blending music, their unique approach to songwriting, and the impact of collaborations with notable artists. Discover how Slatz defies musical labels and draws inspiration from diverse influences, all while creating a compelling live experience and pushing the boundaries of music.

1. Can you tell us about the origins of Slatz and how you came to blend genres like Metalcore, Trap Metal, Metallic Hardcore, Hip-Hop, and Alternative Metal into your music?
I grew up playing punk & hardcore with some grunge thrown in the mix depending on what band I was in at the time. I had a mate who had a metal band that had just lost their singer/guitarist and he asked me if I’d like to jam, this is in my late teens. I always like a challenge so went and started to try play metal, which I knew nothing about. I loved Biohazard & Pantera but not so much Death Metal that they were playing. I started to play more metallic hardcore and started scream rapping. They loved it and we formed a new group with this new style. Fast forward many many years and I had inspiration to start writing again, but not in any one style. I just started writing in whatever style I felt at the time, be that Punk, Hardcore, Grindcore, Numetal, or Metalcore. The Trap came in at a later stage once I started adding Synth & 808’s.
I decided to write as a solo artist due to the complexities of having 4 other members of a band have input.

2. Your music has been described as defying labels. How do you navigate the challenge of maintaining a unique sound while drawing from such a wide range of influences?
I guess the “Defying labels” comes from my passion to just write the music that is flowing from me at that point. I see bands that have to stick to a certain style as that is what they are known for, but that is just boring to me. A Painters doesn’t just use a single colour or subject matter, they use every colour on the palette, and I have different moods just like anybody so I tend to write like I have the colour palette in front of me. Even though my music crosses many genres, my style, my guitar riffs & vocals all come from the same place so I think that shines through to be recognisable.

3. Collaboration seems to be a fundamental aspect of your creative process. Can you share some insights into how working with other artists has shaped your music and your approach to songwriting?
I write a lot of music, and some songs just flow from me as if the universe was writing it for me, whilst others I know that my limited talent won’t do the certain song justice. I must admit I do thrive on the art of collaboration which allows me the opportunity to break free from the confines of my own sound. Working alongside other artists allows me to experiment, push boundaries and guide the songs into uncharted territories that would have remained undiscovered if I were to embark on the creative journey alone. I spend a lot of time looking into what artist I believe would be perfect for the song, to bring that spark, that bolt of lightning that sends the song to the next level. It does help that I am not too precious about the song & love experimenting and seeing where it goes. It doesn’t always work, but at least we try.

4. You've had the opportunity to collaborate with notable artists like Tanner Wayne from In Flames, Adam Ramey from The Dropout Kings, and The Weight of Silence. How have these collaborations influenced your artistic growth?
If you want to progress, you learn from the best hahaha. I mean it’s pretty simple really. The people I have worked with are at the top of their game, so things like song structure, overlays of guitar or vocals, lyric ideas or how to progress lyrics, vocal range and vocal tricks, how to change up riffs to make the song more interesting, to more backend knowledge like Protools tips & file structure. I have learnt so much valuable knowledge from everyone I have worked with. I try implement what I can to each new song & grow as an artist.

5. Tell us about your experience being mentored by Billy Graziadei from Biohazard / Powerflo / Billy Bio. What valuable lessons have you learned from him?
Biohazard is my all time favourite band, & Billy is one of my favourite guitarist / songwriters so working with Billy is an absolute trip out. If you told my teenage self that I would be mates with Billy & writing songs with him I would have passed out with laughter. As I am in Australia & Billy in LA we catch up via Zoom and have writing & mentoring sessions where he explains every part of the song writing process, how to better your riff ideas or lyrics, how to expand on your ideas and constantly tweak to make a more interesting composition. His input has been invaluable to my song writing. However I joke that the most memorable thing Billy has taught me was to tune to the attack, & not the sustain – I can’t believe I was tuning my guitar wrong for 25 years.

6. Your music spans various sub-genres within the metal and hip-hop spheres. How do you decide which elements to emphasize in each track, and what inspires these decisions?
I usually have no idea what will come out when I pick up the guitar, and it depends what guitar & tuning I use. I might be in a heavy mood, or a hardcore mood or more synth inspired. I choose a BPM and hit record and just start playing. Once I get a few riffs or chord progressions that I like, I will put them together into more of a song structure. I then grab a mic & hit record and start to freestyle. This then sets the tone of the song & I go from there. Would synths suit this song? Would a lower or higher tuning be better?, Should I go more melodic or aggressive with the vocals? What kind of chorus do I envisage?
I allow the song to guide me more than forcing my ideas onto a song. It probably sounds counter-productive but I am a big believer in channelling the energy and going with the flow. It has worked so far.

7. Many of your tracks evoke the gritty essence of old-school NYHC. What draws you to this style, and how do you infuse it with a modern twist?
I love NYHC, from the 80’s & 90’s with bands such as Youth of Today, Shelter, Agnostic Front, Gorilla Biscuits, Judge, Sick of it all, Madball & of course Biohazard. The tempo, the real lyrics and raw sound all appealed to me. Bands not afraid to speak their mind and stand up for what they believed in whilst telling stories about their life. A lot of Hardcore actually has positive lyrics & I try fuse that into my music.

8. Could you share some details about your upcoming album and the collaborations and features fans can expect to hear on it?
I am concentrating on releasing singles at the moment, releasing a new song every 4-6 weeks. This gives the fans something new on a consistent basis & also allows for social media & promotion for each song. It also allows me to fully immerse myself in the current song without diluting my energy. With that said, I do have a full album worth of material completed with many more songs 50%-90% completed. Once I have released 10-12 songs, I will compile these into an album and re-release.
I grew up buying 1-2 albums a week and actually really love the physical aspect of buying music. You get to open the insert, look at all the band photos, read the lyrics, the shoutouts & thank you section & learn more about the band or artist. There is also something to be said about listening to an album from front to back. So I will be definitely be printing off CD’s once the album is compiled which should be mid 2024

9. In today's music landscape, where streaming platforms dominate, how do you view the importance of albums as a whole versus individual tracks?
I love albums, but unfortunately in this day & age of streamimg, albums just don’t make sense. The entire algorithm is set up for engagement. So if you dropped an album, you might get a bunch of people go check it out, stream a few songs if you are lucky & then move on. When you release a new song every month you get the best shot at it being successful. It allows concentrated promotions on a single song, and it also shows the streaming platforms that you are an active artist. But as I mentioned above, once I release 10-12 singles I will create an album so I get the best of both worlds.

10. How has your Australian background influenced your music, and do you think it sets you apart in the global music scene?
I was lucky enough to grow up back when music was thriving, I could go to a local pub and see 4 bands for $2 cover charge. We also had so many amazing bands from all over the world come and play in small local venues. I saw Blink 182 at a small pub in Sydney with maybe 100 people max, right when they had just released Cheshire Cat. Bands like Goldfinger, Millencollin, Lagwagon, Unwritten law and even the Offspring played tiny venues back in the day. We also had really good music programs that showcased Metal & Hardcore bands & record shops everywhere you looked that would recommend good new music to you based on your taste. Thinking back now, I actually really miss those times, but to answer your question, I think being in Australia actually allowed me to be more open to different styles without having to be insular to a particular genre, which can happen if a scene is strong in your city or town.

11. With your diverse range of influences, what message or emotions do you aim to convey through your music?
First & foremost I want to spread positivity. That’s not to say I don’t write sad or angry songs, but overall I am a very positive person who believes that what you surround yourself with is the energy you will end up with. Let’s build each other up, not tear each other down.

12. Are there any specific artists or bands that have had a profound impact on your musical journey and style?
One word, Biohazard. I could rattle off so many of my influences but really if I had to narrow it down, Biohazard would be the one. When I first heard & saw the Punishment Video on Rage (Australia’s version of MTV) I was absolutely floored. It had the perfect mix of Punk, Hardcore, Metal & Hiphop/Rap. I immediately went out & bought their first 2 albums and listened on repeat. By coincidence my voice lends perfectly to the Biohazard style of vocals and my guitar playing is definitely hugely influenced by Billy. I’m still a huge fan.

13. The combination of Metalcore and Trap Metal is a unique fusion. What challenges and rewards come with blending these two distinct genres?
It’s all about what sounds good, and mixing some metalcore style riffs with some Trap beats, 808’s & synths is a fun way to mix up a song. The song “Polarise” is a good example of going from aggressive vocals & metalcore riffs into a trap beat & rapping into a more 90’s inspired melodic chorus. I just like to mix things up to keep myself amused. I do have some darker Trap metal songs ready for release towards the end of the year.

14. Can you describe your live performances and how they translate your eclectic sound into a compelling stage experience?
I haven’t played a lot of the newer songs live yet as I am concentrating on writing and releasing. Once the album is complete, I will look to tour. The world of live music has definitely changed a lot though, we used to just plug in our amps and play, but now with Midi, backing tracks and click tracks, it is a double edged sword. You can have an amazing sound and play in perfect time, but it starts to sound exactly like the CD and can lose that rawness & looseness that I love.

15. As an artist who's constantly evolving and pushing boundaries, what do you hope to achieve with your music in the future?
I just want to continue to write, explore different cross genres & collaborate with everyone I can. I have so much music in me that I find it hard to get it all out before the next idea hits. I would also love to play a bunch of festivals & also tour with Biohazard of course J

16. Finally, where can fans and listeners stay updated on your latest releases and upcoming projects, and what message would you like to share with your audience?
Follow Slatz:

▶Facebook: www.facebook.com...Music/
▶ Instagram: www.instagram.co...music/
▶TIKTOK: www.tiktok.com/@..._music
▶Threads: www.threads.net/..._music
▶Twitter: twitter.com/slat...zmusic
▶Official Website: http://www.slatz...ic.com
▶Spotify: open.spotify.com...ymLI5w
▶Apple Music
music.apple.com/...175579