Interview: Innate Your

Photo credit: Tarynn Waters

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today? 

So many artists, from Tool, Sigur ros, Eminem, Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, Bon Iver, Post rock bands, Drum n bass, Jon Hopkins, Snarky Puppy. Let's just say a very eclectic mix of artists. As well as feeling it, understanding it and moving with it. It really was Innate, for me.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I have a daily meditation and yoga practice. I also enjoy being in nature and going for walks and doing photography in forests and nature around me. I draw inspiration from being around nature, friends and things that give me that sense of awe. I let that all into my subconscious and when it's time to create it's like opening the floodgates.

How long have you been making music? 

Under this name 1-2 years. As a musician about 10 years

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

Brisbane, Australia. I'm never too far away from a beach or forest to be immersed in. This is usually where I capture the raw essense of my ideas and later they form into a full piece

How did you come up with your artist name and what does it mean to you?

 Innate is a very pleasant word, originating in the mind. Innate your is a play on words (In-nat-ure) as a symbol to how and where my creativity comes from

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

 This project was born during the pandemic and I haven't made plans to play live gigs yet. As they are still being cancelled here in Australia. Although I'm very excited to make movements towards playing at festivals soon. There's a venue in Brisbane called the Tivoli which has an unusual dome shape (as this was once where they build aircrafts). This will be right up there on my list to play at as all of my favourite acts before me have played there.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the line up?

Illenium, Blanke, Mitis, Chainsmokers, Flume, Kiasmos. These are some producers I have a huge respect for and have influenced my own style immensely  

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

 This is such a great question. I'm currently writing a book called - The minefield that is our music industry. I feel like I've met every kind of scam artist, predator, executive producer, influencer and marketer that has tried to take advantage of me and my dream. I wish I knew what I did now, but this is a constantly evolving industry and the predators and scams are evolving with it. So out of these very negative experiences I hope that I can let artists and anyone close to artists understand the warning signs and different predators out there that want to take advantage of us.

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

 You'll get there kid, believe in yourself.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why? 

 I've written lots of songs, but when I wrote I Climb Mountains I started to realise my purpose here on this earth. During the process of writing this song Mercy’s mum lost her battle with cancer and the song then took a dramatic turn. It became the tool to help him grieve, and whilst he didn’t know it, it was the light in the darkest moment of his life. As you’d expect there’s a huge emotional impact he has to this song. Suddenly this became more than music to me. It was healing, it was a tool to make sense of life, a sense of purpose. I really wanted the best for this song, it didn’t just mean this could help me achieve my dream. It was about Mercy Vander, and his mum. Immortalising his message and her with it. This was about their story, and helping them achieve that is my purpose.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

 To be swept up in emotions, let it all go, then dance.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

I have a few singles that are almost finished. No official date, but watch this space and I'll have promo material coming out as soon as there's a date confirmed.

I'm planning to release 10 singles this year. As I'm constantly feeling happier and more confident with my writing process.

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