Having written songs for Will Sparks, Young Franco and Nicky Romero, Genes has over 50 million global songwriting streams as well as 180k+ streams on her last single ‘Kind of Bi’ and 5.5k Tik Tok followers it’s not unreasonable to say Genes is the next wave of Aussie Pop. Her new song 'Crumble' is effervescent, fun and vibrant which Genes has been known to bring to each of her releases so far. Light-hearted pop, ‘Crumble’, was produced by regular collaborator Ben Oldland (KYE, Ula), and features a compelling retro-tinge of pulsing synths that will have you hitting repeat. MFA got the chance to chat to Genes, so we asked her about the new song, the difference in writing songs for herself instead of other people and the moment she “fangirled” over Guy Sebastian sharing one of her videos.

For those that haven’t heard your music before , how would you describe your sound?

Someone once described my music like this: “If Kylie Minogue, Carly Rae Jepsen and HAIM had a baby together with some added sparkle, it would be a Genes song” and I think that’s a pretty good description. My music is just fun.

Tell us about your new song 'Crumble'? What does the song mean to you?

‘Crumble’ is that feeling you get right before you fall in love - the build up of it, the overwhelming anxiety and excitement, the fear of the unknown, the rush. Crumble describes that moment, in particular the moment when you’re about to kiss someone for the very first time.

Will you be releasing a video to accompany 'Crumble'?

I hope so!

“I am so stoked NOVA is playing it because it means people that might not have necessarily heard the song otherwise will, and that’s pretty cool”

— Genes

Were you surprised by NOVA adding Crumble to their rotation straight after its release?

Whenever I’m writing a song with mates, I never really think about where it’s going to go - I’m just there to have fun and enjoy the process. So, any win we have after the song is out, big or small, is just an added bonus. I am so stoked NOVA is playing it because it means people that might not have necessarily heard the song otherwise will, and that’s pretty cool.

Can we expect an album or another EP out soon or will you be sticking to single releases for now?

I absolutely love the idea of an album and how you can really paint a picture and tell a story with them, so yes in the future an album is definitely on the cards!

You have written songs for Will Sparks, Young Franco and Nicky Romero, earning you over 50 million global songwriting streams, does it add an extra layer of pressure when you’re writing songs for yourself?

I think it’s easier to write a song with other people for their own projects because you get less in your head; being the songwriter feels way more care-free. When you’re writing for yourself though, it’s so easy to analyse every little bit and want to make it ‘perfect’.I’ve really had to teach myself the art of letting go when it comes to songs - I’ve done it 9 times with the singles I’ve put out so far so I think I’m doing ok but it’s always a process.

“2022 is the year of Genes”

— Genes

You’re supporting Client Liaison on the 27th of May in Brisbane and performing at the Broncos Half-time show, are you excited to be able to reach such a large audience with 'Crumble' so quickly after its release? especially to a lot of people who have never heard of Genes before?

Absolutely. What started as a fun side hobby in 2019 has turned into this much bigger beast. 2022 is the year of Genes I keep saying, I don’t know what that means yet but I’m just here for the ride. I love playing live shows with my friends Dylan and Adrian, and I love writing the music with the crew I have so as long as it’s fun, I’ll keep doing it. I’ve been writing and recording music for a while now so it’s nice to see the project really building into something beautiful this year.

How did you get your start in music?

I can’t remember the exact moment it started because I feel like music was always going to be the path for me, but I do remember a vivid moment where I was singing on the school oval and my friend Indi turned to me and said “wow, you should audition for the school band, you’re really good”. I think I was maybe 12 years old. After that, I started recording YouTube covers and originals. Guy Sebastian shared one of my videos once and I fan girled LOL. I had guitar and singing lessons through high school and then kind of built it from there.

If you couldn't be a musician, what job or employment would you have gone into? What else was on your wish list for occupations?

If I didn’t work in music, I’d be a radio announcer…..

How big is the part you play in the production side of your music?

I have a very strong idea of how I want my music to sound sonically, and I’m really lucky that I’ve been working with a producer named Ben Oldland from the very start of the project who just ‘gets it’. I’ll send him songwriting ideas and he’ll just whip up this instrumental idea that is so perfect because he just knows what I like. We use a “Genes” palette of sounds each time we write a song. I’m very involved in the songwriting process, from the vocal recording process, to the mixing and mastering too.

“Talent goes a long way when you work hard, and you’re a decent human being too”

— Genes

Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?

Ben Oldland, who has produced the majority of the Genes singles, is one of the best producers in the country and I’m just waiting for him to blow up. Talent goes a long way when you work hard, and you’re a decent human being too, and Ben is proof of that. Adrian Mauro and Dylan Stewart who play in the Genes band are incredible musicians who also release music as Machine Age. Check them out.

What can we look forward to from Genes in the second half of 2022?

More shows. More music. More fun.

Genes is playing at the Broncos halftime show at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane on Saturday June 11th

Interview by Michelle Symes

May 2022