This Thursday sees the release of Boo Seeka’s highly anticipated second album and we are not sure who’s more excited, him or his fans. The ‘Between the Head and the Heart’ LP includes Boo’s singles ‘Next To Me’, ‘Real’ & ‘Dream’ which have been a great teaser for what else is to come. In between completing his album Boo also joined forces with local legend Hayden James, to produce ‘Free’ which the duo performed for the first time together at COACHELLA of all places. Before life gets crazy busy for him again, MFA had the absolute pleasure to ask Mr Seeka some questions about the new album, his crazy ideas that drive his management crazy and what it’s like to play at the world’s biggest festival.

Well Boo you have had a busy few months, so let's start off with the release of the single 'Next To Me' that was released on the 28th of April. What can you tell us about the song?

I’m just so happy to be busy again. Next To Me was the last song we wrote for the record. To be honest we already had too many songs and were trying to pick our favourite 12 tracks. Then Jay sent me the chorus loop on the phone and I was instantly calling everyone to tell them we have to record one more track. To be honest everyone wasn’t stoked about the idea until they heard it then they were all in. Jay and I wrote this in a day and it’s one of my favourites. Lyrically it means a lot to me and I think the message will resonate in so many ways to everyone differently, and the vibe of the track just makes Jay and I feel like listening to it at a festival. It will definitely be a celebration when we do.

What do you hope the listener takes away from listening to 'Next To Me'

Wooops kind of already gave this away but I really do think people will find different meanings of what I say in this track. Even though these lyrics have a very strong message to jay and myself, I always look at writing music like looking at an abstract painting. The message can be completely differ to the composer and the person that saw it before you. That's the most amazing thing about art. There is no right or wrong.

You co-wrote the song with Jay Bainbridge, does it make it easier to write being able to bounce ideas off someone?

Jay is such an incredible writer and is definitely a major part of some of the songs on this record. I’m so honoured to have him by my side on stage and to write music with him - he is like my brother, and we are often on the same wavelength when it comes to song creation, and that’s a really special thing to have when writing music. He’s also an insanely talented singer, so I want to try some things out on Album #3.

Will there be a video coming out for the song?

I’ve decided to only do short video teasers with this record & the songs that we release as singles. I have a few other things up my sleeve I can’t spill the beans on just yet but very excited to show everyone. Honestly, though you never know - I might just wake up one day and make a clip for these songs. I tend to come up with crazy ideas that drive my management team crazy.

It has been announced your new album 'Between The Head And The Heart' is set for release on the 30th of June. Are you excited for the drop, and to get the feedback from both the fans and the critics?

I’m so excited to release this record. It had honestly been a very rough 2 and a half years personally for me, and I’m honestly really happy with this record. I really like the diversity and taking the songs in the direction that they felt was needed. I didn’t push anything and did this from the heart. I hope the fans and the critics love it as much as I do, but to be honest I understand I can’t dwell on that. I have built these babies up the way I wanted to and on the 30th they will be released into the world, I don’t have any control on what happens after that. Everyone deserves their own opinions, and I totally respect that. Again this is art and there is no right or wrong

Are there any stand out tracks for you off the new album? Are any of the songs particularly special to you personally?

My 4 favourite tracks that people wouldn’t have heard before the record comes out are ‘I Like It Like’, ‘Nothing’, ‘Superstar’ and ‘Paralyzed’. These all have very personal messages for me and I find myself going back and listening to them when I’m feeling that I need to inspire myself, or if I’m feeling a bit down.

“Playing live means so much to me”

— Boo Seeka

When we last spoke in January you couldn't tell us too much, but now a few months down the track are there plans locked in to tour for the new album?

There sure is. First we go on the road with Hayden James followed by the album tour. I’m so stoked to be back on the road. I’ve missed it so much and can’t wait to celebrate this record with everyone. Playing live means so much to me. It’s the best way to connect with people in my opinion. The tour hasn’t been announced yet but will be touring in September October.

'Free' your collaboration with Hayden James has just been released as it's already doing massive things both here and overseas, how did this joining of forces come about?

Hayden and I just started talking online. He sent me a few instrumentals and I was instantly inspired. Originally I wrote a song for him called ‘Real’ which has ended up on my record and will be the fourth single. ‘Free’ was something that came after, as he lost all the music to real and we started again. I’m so honoured to have written ‘Free’ and ‘Lights go down’ on his record. He has inspired me alot for my own record and I was already a massive fan before we started collaborating.

Was the making of 'Free' a few days of hanging out together in a studio somewhere, or was this one of those utilising current technology occasions with the sharing of content and ideas back and forth?

It was a technology occasion. Hayden and I didn’t even personally meet until Boo and Hayden were on the same bill as each other on Beyond the City and played ‘Free’ for the first time together without any rehearsals. It was definitely the first time I’ve been nervous for a while but it was an incredible moment seeing people loving the track even though they had not heard it before.

“To see a packed tent at the biggest festival in the world in a different county singing all the words to ‘Free’ will be something I’ll never forget.”

— Boo Seeka

And that brings us to.....COACHELLA. Firstly what was your reaction when you initially got the invitation to play at the world's biggest festival?

To be honest I thought he may have had too many wines and was joking so I kind of laid it off and didn’t think that much of it. But when his management sent me the confirmation I think my eyes nearly popped out of my head. I will be forever grateful and so honoured to have been performing on that stage with him and to think that we wrote a song together that he wanted me to be there with him at Coachella really means a lot. To see a packed tent at the biggest festival in the world in a different county singing all the words to ‘Free’ will be something I’ll never forget.

What was the preparation like for this massive milestone?

Well to be honest there were no rehearsals, just a lot of passing, and a lot of wine to calm the nerves. But I really do feel that not only is Hayden such a professional at his craft, for him to have the confidence in me to just walk onto the stage of the biggest festival and just rip in was one of the biggest compliments anyone could give me

Were you nervous about performing at this extremely high profile event? especially given you were introducing Boo Seeka to millions of unsuspecting future fans for the first time?

Maybe it was just the wine, but to be honest I wasn’t. I think having done it at Beyond the city without rehearsals gave both of us a massive boost of confidence. It was amazing seeing everyone’s reaction when I came out. The power of the internet really shows when you haven’t toured America for the last 2 and a half years and people are there knowing who you are and show up to watch it and excited that Boo has done a track with Hayden. It’s also amazing talking to people after it who had know idea who I was and were blown away. The power of music is incredible.

“Backstage is a world in its own”

— Boo Seeka

Back stage at COACHELLA with Hayden James and Running Touch

Was it everything you thought it would be? Does COACHELLA live up to the hype and expectation?

100% it’s everything you would expect it to be. It's one of the biggest festivals in the world. Backstage is a world in its own. People watch, backstage is veeerrrrryy interesting.

Apart from your own performance, what were the highlights of COACHELLA for you?

Billie Eilish for sure. She is one of my biggest inspirations at the moment and did not disappoint . Life goals to collaborate with her one day.

With the massive success already from 'Free', will you be doing more collab stuff? Who's still on your wish list for collab Partners?

I’ve been doing a lot of collaborating lately and I’m loving it. I’m so honoured to be asked by so many amazing artists and can’t wait to show the world what we have come up with. Wish list would be Billie Eilish, Kevin Parker, Chris Martin, Glass Animals, Massive Attack, Arctic Monkeys and The Strokes.

Last time Cohen Chapman, Tom Caw, Daniel Sant, Matt Bartlem, Eamon Smith, Emily Cheung and Jay got the shout-out for the crew who never gets one. Is there anyone that you missed or needs to be added to the list?

Massive shout to all the Boo supporters that have been waiting for this album and I hope it doesn’t disappoint. I can’t wait to be back on the road partying with you all once again.

What's next for Boo Seeka? what's still in the pipeline for fans to look forward to?

The 3rd record will hopefully be out 12 months after between the head & the heart, lots of tours in Australia and overseas and lots of collaborating. A few other things up my sleeve but nothing I can spill the beans on yet. But I’ll give you a clue……. When I’m not playing it’s the other passion I’m devoted too

Stream: Next To Me

Presave: Between The Head And The Heart

UPCOMING BOO SEEKA SHOWS

Supporting Hayden James

Interview by Michelle Symes

June 2022

Boo Seeka living the Dream