The Art of DEAD with Angus McColl
Photo Credit David Collins
ANGUS MCCOLL has released his latest track, ‘DEAD’, a sonically dreamy, indie - electro soundscape your going to adore. The accompanying video for DEAD, directed by Jordy Simpson is a dark, cinematic masterpiece that the self taught musician is super proud of and he’s so happy to finally share it with the world. MFA asked Angus about the creation of DEAD, how he got his start in music and his dream to team up with A-Girl or 070 Shake for a hybrid collab.
Firstly Angus, congratulations on the release of the new single, what has been the reaction been to 'Dead'?
Its been great. I don't think people were expecting something so dark from me. Its a different note, feeling, energy and production. I love it. I love making art.
Tell us about your new song? What does the track mean to you?
Dead is about finding yourself as a person, after you lose something you love. You may think the world has ended but you're still here, still alive, not dead.
“The breakdown at the end is cinematic beauty”
Do you have a favourite part of the song or a lines that resonates with you the most?
The breakdown at the end is cinematic beauty, I get so pumped on it haha
When you started writing Dead, was the finished product how you invisaged the song originally?
The process was a few piano chords in a track we called “Dark Billy”. At the time, Dre (my producer) had it as an idea, he played it for me and I wrote 80 percent of the song there and then.
“I had my head in my hands overwhelmed at such a funny and simple thing to happen”
Dead has an accompanying music video, who came up with the concept? Any memorable moments during the making of it?
Dre and I had this idea of me being all fucked (sorry) up in a car crash. And then a storyline of a loving relationship to juxtapose the pain. Jordy Simpson (director), Tal Hymans (actress) and myself threw ourselves (literally) around a dark forrest, train station and cliff top at 3 in the morning.
The first night everything was prepped to shoot, we were all on set and ready to roll out to first location and the car wouldnt start. I had my head in my hands overwhelmed at such a funny and simple thing to happen. The whole thing got called off and we went to the pub up the road. The next night we shot it:)
I cried when it all came to life. Blood, sweat and tears in that music clip (Literally) haha I am a big fan of cinema and friendships. I think we all should be.
Can we expect a full length album or EP out soon?
EP coming very soon and it is magic.
Are there plans for any shows soon to showcase the song live?
In April I'll be supporting Jamyang in some live and intimate gigs.
“I’d make parody songs about my teammates”
How did you get your start in music?
Originally I used to be a football jock and secretly write and play piano haha. I’d make parody songs about my teammates, I enjoyed making them so much that it eventually took over.
Your from Byron Bay which has its own music culture & community, what was the driving force behind shifting your base to Sydney?
I moved down here with my ex partner, we parted ways and I thought why not give everything I have to something I love in a beautiful city.
Do you play a part in the production side of your music?
The musical masterminds that are Andre Keuneman and Fenix Martinez are the reason I am here today. They are the production brothers. They somehow, someway found me in my lowest point in life and together we forged something beautiful.
Who do you credit as your musical influences?
Gus Dapperton, Joji, Jeff Buckley and Dom Fike. All probably young men with hearts on their sleeves and broken souls, maybe I relate or maybe I don't but I appreciate the hell out of them.
“I’d love to tee up with a rapper. A dope song writer like A-girl or 070 Shake would be mental.”
Collabs are huge these days, is this a path you would be interested in taking? Who would be your ultimate Collab Partner be?
I'd love to tee up with a rapper. A dope song writer like A-girl or 070 Shake would be mental.
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is they do that keeps your world turning?
Fenix Martinez is the meanest keys player and the humblest dude I know. Mad props to that man. Dre (my producer) is one the hardest working guys behind the scenes. That's a level or work you can't teach, that's just passion. Passion is what keeps the world turning.
What can we look forward to for the rest of 2023 from you? What do you have in the pipeline?
Expect more Music videos, cinematic and powerful. Check out DEAD as a reference (Youtube) The EP will compliment themes of beauty, heart break, cinema and pretty strings.
Watch the DEAD video here : https://youtu.be/pt9PpPfyVr8
DEAD Cover Art
Interview by Michelle Symes
February 2023