No hiding for Boo Seeka in 2022
Boo Seeka, the man, the myth, the legend has a big year ahead of him with a string of festival performances to start it off, a new album and fingers crossed a tour. His new single ‘Dream’ is the first taste of what’s to come from Boo and it’s a song he is incredibly proud of, with it encompassing beautiful floaty lyrics paired with classic electronic production. We got the chance to talk to Boo Seeka about the writing of the new album, the essentials for touring and what fans can look forward to in 2022.
For those that haven’t heard BOO SEEKA before , how do you describe your music?
Hmmm, it is a tough one as the upcoming album is fairly diverse. If I had to use one word, I would have to say, Dreamtronica - Electronic beats with catchy melodies that I hope get stuck in your head. Think Rufus, Glass Animals, Chet Faker vibes, but at the end of the day the music always sounds like Boo Seeka.
Dream Cover Art
Tell us about your new song, Dream?
In 2020, I started having realisations that the world has probably never been as crazy as it is right now. I began indulging in the bitter-sweet aspects of the modern world, and with a lot of spare time during lockdown, I began thinking about the worlds I would make up through our imaginations and dream state - these ideas were what formed, Dream and was something that felt very easy to write down on paper.
I also don’t usually listen to a lot of music when I'm creating music myself, but for this song it was different. ‘Hide and Seek’ by Imogen Heap was playing when I first started writing lyrics and found myself putting the song on repeat while I wrote the whole track.
What does the song mean to you?
It’s the first release and the first taste of what’s to come for Boo Seeka in 2022, so it means a lot. It's the start of a new chapter. Covid-19 has been pretty devastating for the industry on a whole, but if I’m being honest, it has been very valuable for me and my creativity. I have learnt a lot about myself and songwriting over the time, and this record is a lot more mature than the first. Still very proud of the first one, but this one is just better, and it all starts with ‘Dream’.
Can you confirm, we can anticipate an album out next year?
I can confirm that Boo Seeka will be releasing a new record in 2022!!! Let’s go.
We have a few singles before the release, and there may even be a massive collaboration on its way too!
“This album is more diverse than anything I’ve released in the past”
What can fans expect from the new LP?
This album is more diverse than anything I’ve released in the past. It has songs that are slow & acoustic, it has big dance tracks, and everything in between. However, more than anything - I hope people listening can find meaning in the album. I hope it’s something that thousands of people can scream at a festival, but can also chuck it on next to a candle and a red wine.
Are there plans to hit the road for an album tour after its release?
I can’t really say a lot at the moment, but yes haha! It all starts with Beyond the City in Melbourne over New Years, and then to For The Love in February. We won’t be slowing down a whole heap, and I’m so stoked to get out on the road again!
“Touring is all about gathering inspiration from new places and people, and living in the now”
What’s the one essential you HAVE to take on the tour?
Hmmmm, other than the obvious - all the gear, and myself, and Jay Bainbridge (who plays alongside me), I would have to say bottles of Pinot Noir and an open mind. Touring is all about gathering inspiration from new places and people, and living in the now.
December sees you at 'Beyond The City', February and March see you as a major drawcard at the 'For The Love' Festival. Are you excited to be a part of this awesome lineup?
It will be my first time playing some new tracks and we can’t wait. I feel like there is a new wave of excitement when it comes to people who are either going to party, play or work at festivals at the moment. They have been taken away from us for so long and we have all realised just how much we need live music in our lives. I really can’t wait to play at these two festivals, they’re two of my favs brought to you by Untitled, the best in the business.
If you could collaborate with any artist from the 'For The Love' roster, who would it be and why?
Oooooo tough question, can I say all of them? haha. Some of my absolute favourite Australian artists are on this line up. If I had to choose a team up, I’d have to say Dom Dolla, Mallrat and Boo would be a good trio for a track. What do you think?
Do you enjoy playing festivals and will we see you participate in more in the future? compared to your solo tours there must be a lot less pressure and logistics to deal with?
Yes and no! Playing festivals is definitely different to playing your own shows. The best part of festivals are playing with the other bands, playing to new people that haven’t seen you before and seeing their freedom and smiles expressed in front of me when they feel like they have just discovered something new. With that though, I think there is a bit of pressure to perform to them, does that make sense? Whereas at a solo tour, that pressure is wiped away when most of the crowd is shouting lyrics back to me.
What are the best and worst parts of being on a multi artist bill? Do egos ever get in the way or does it just add to the party?
I honestly don’t think there are any negatives at all. I've never had any problems at all with a multi artist bill. We are all there for one reason, to do what we love to the people that love it. We have the best job in the world, and definitely nothing to complain about from my perspective.
Do you play a part in the production side of your music?
Yes and no. The sounds that you hear in a Boo Seeka song are all from my head. I then work really closely with the crazy talented Matt Bartlem who brings it all together - Matt’s one of my best mates, so he isn’t shy to tell me something doesn’t work, and I think that’s the key to making the music we have been whipping up
“As I got older, I started writing music, and now here we are. Thanks Mum & Dad. ”
How did you get your start in music?
My parents have a huge vinyl collection. Everyday there would be music getting played. It’s pretty hard to escape it when it’s streaming into your ears everyday.
I got a second hand guitar at the age of 8 and I would just sit in front of the speakers all day trying to copy what I was hearing. As I got older, I started writing music, and now here we are. Thanks Mum & Dad.
Where was your first gig? Was it a success or flop?
The first gig for Boo Seeka was supporting our great mate, Kim Churchill. At that point we only had one song and we were honestly making up songs in the green room before we got on stage so we could play a 30 min set… It was honestly one of the most nerve racking things I’ve ever done, but it got us ready for what was to come & I wouldn’t change it for the world.
What’s been the highlight in your career so far personally? And why?
Alright because it’s so damn hard to single out particular moments in my career (it’s mostly all been wonderful), I’m going to list some absolute favs below:
First song on the radio.
First hottest 100.
Playing Splendour In The Grass.
Playing at Red Rocks.
1st Album hitting #1 on the Australian Aria Charts
And probably the best thing - paying for rent with money I made from music (it still blows my mind).
“The people behind the scenes don’t get the credit they deserve! ”
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?
Honestly all of them. The people behind the scenes don’t get the credit they deserve!
My two managers Cohen Chapman and Tom Caw.
My booking agent, Daniel Sant
My producer, Matt Bartlem
Our PR agent, Emily Cheung.
Our live production manager, Eamon Smith.
Without these legends Jay and I wouldn’t be doing what we do.
Along with the new album and 'For The Love' what can fans look forward to from BOO SEEKA in 2022?
There’s a lot more but…. You’ll just have to wait and see!
Thanks heaps from having me!
‘Dream’ link SOUNDCLOUD
Interview by Michelle Symes
January 2022