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REMi tells Guestlist whats up
RnB/Hip Hop | Wednesday 12th October 2016 | bankymoon
Rising hip-hop act REMi just released their second album, Divas and Demons, to a growing plethora of prestige and accolades, including nods to Australian album of the year. Made up of drummer / producer Sensible J and vocalist Remi Kolawole, their base is a home studio in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. REMi, while standing on the foundations of a laid back soulful sound, are also known for their aggressive stance towards racial inequality.
Not afraid to say how they feel, they harbor a playful honesty, lounging effortlessly in the waters of a hip, underground purity. On the tip of their second album, Guestlist conversed with the boys about the new album Divas and Demons, and what's been happening past, present and future.
Prior to the second album, what was it like for you guys coming up in Melbourne, hanging around Brunswick and Fitzroy, launching mixtapes at revolver and dropping the first LP?
Melbourne is one of the most creative places I've ever been to, we're so lucky to have come up here. Prior to all this, it was kind of the same as it is now, heaps of fun making music with our friends. We were lucky enough to be supporting cat's like De La, Pharcyde, JoeyBada$$, Vic Mensa and the like, so it's been a pretty sweet run, with some bullshit scattered through, but what's life without bullshit?
Where did the inspiration and motivation for Divas and Demons come about?
Just where we were both at, at the time. I needed to write about the stuff that was on my mind and J rode with me, creating the perfect soundtrack, as I feel he always does.
Sensible J, prior to buying your first MPK you played drums in bands. What was the transition like and how has impacted your production methods and techniques?
I bought my MPC in 2007 I think, and I took a break from playing in bands for a year and a bit. Basically every night after work, I'd come home, eat, then try and learn how to make beats till 1AM. Did that for about a year and a half until I kinda didn't mind the beats I was making. I think being a drummer definitely makes my program drums how a drummer would play them live. I live in lil "technical mistakes", cos my own drumming can be horribly imperfect, but I kinda dig the human element.
Remi, you've noted growing up in a somewhat matriarchal family with your mum as the breadwinner and your father dealing with racial oppression. What was the family like growing up and how has that impacted your perception of music and your place within it?
My family is the whole reason I am the way I am, my pops instilled me with pride and drive, my mum was the support and the ear/perspective I needed. They still are.
The song Substance Therapy talks of addiction and inner conflict. Is it related to personal challenges with mental health, addiction, and substance abuse?
It's crazy because it definitely is everything that I have experienced, but I actually wrote it about a close friend a few years back for our last album Raw x Infinity. The song didn't make the cut as it didn't fit sonically and in between that album and this one I experienced my own challenges and the song reflected many of them. I guess it just goes to show how rampant depression truly is.
You guys have noted the studio set up in a spare room at J's place. Do you have any rituals for recording and do you see the studio moving to a bigger space anytime soon?
Hahaha the only rituals we've ever had, have been a healthy amount of tea and conversation before we get into the studio. A lot of the time our conversations turn into the music we make. We've definitely been contemplating a bigger space, but there's no rush and the current method definitely isn't broken (just the aux out on the m-box is)
Sensible J, you grew up in a musically inclined home. What was that like and how did it shape your understanding of music?
There's was always music on in our house, as my parents, especially my father, played in a band up until the mid-90s. Our lounge room had guitars and a bass and a bongo in it, and I think the bongo attracted lil me the most. My folks saw that, and I was lucky enough to get a lil drum kit and bang away at that, without them complaining! (shout out to them for that). They were the most encouraging parents with music, I'm very lucky.
You guys run your own label, House of Beige. Where did the name originate and what artists and plans lay ahead?
My house and studio/bedroom are beige. That simple! Hehe. HOB is basically for our good friends who make music a lil left of centre. Hopefully, there will be a bunch of collaborative EPs and drum and beat based albums coming out in 2017.
Remi, you have publicly said several times For Good with Sampa the Great is about your own actions of infidelity. What really happened?
It's all in the music haha.
Racial oppression, vilification and discrimination are recurring themes for REMI. Considering the current political climate in Australia and the world, what thoughts do you guys have on the current state of racial inequality and the actions needed to bring about positive change?
To be honest man, I'm just an artist who talks about the things I have experienced, and who calls out injustices my friends and family are at the receiving end of. Basically, I just talk about the shit I know. The temperature of politics is not even close to my forte. I just hope we're making it a little harder to ignore things that have been happening for centuries before we touched this earth. But the world needs more empathy, compassion and love. No matter how cheesy that sounds.
You guys held a sold out album launch party at the workers club Saturday just past. How was the crowd and where did the after party take you?
The show was incredible, amazingly intimate and like you said sold out so you can't have a bad time. The after party took us to bed though hahaha.... Well in my case my little brothers couch.
Finally, do you guys have any plans to bounce over to London for some shows?
Hopefully we'll be round sometime next year, can't wait to get back that side of this earth. So many beautiful people.
REMi are touring nationally. Divas and Demons is out now, available on digital and vinyl. Facebook for the latest at , Twitter for the words and sounds at Soundcloud.
