Perth-based producer TWERL has quickly become a FUXWITHIT favourite in the past few months. We had the pleasure of premiering his Quality Goods debut ‘Follow Me’ back in October, and just wrote up his incredible mega-collab ‘INFERNO‘ a few days ago. Prior to the recent releases TWERL made waves with an EP on Elysian, official remixes for L D R U and Diplo, and a ton of fire originals and flips. With his momentum at an all time high and an EP on the way, we had to connect with the TWERL for an exclusive guest and interview. The mix features a wide-array of heaters; jumping between genres and even teasing a few IDs. In the interview we discuss his upcoming project, ghost producing, having his music used in an NBA promo video and more.
Tell us a bit about what to expect from the mix. If it was a movie, what would the tagline be?
It’s a bit of a roller-coaster, not gonna lie. Expect a bunch of ID’s from myself and friends, and a lot of genre switching. “An epic mix of epic epicness”
You can kind of just zone out and do your own thing, but if you need anything there is such a great creative scene over here.
How do you like Perth? What’s your favorite thing about where you live?
I love Perth. Obviously we are so isolated from everyone but I love that, you aren’t pressured by what everyone else is doing which would normally impact your work. You can kind of just zone out and do your own thing, but if you need anything there is such a great creative scene over here. Something for everyone.
Have you been personally affected by the wildfires at all? What’s it like being so close to this disaster?
I am on the other side of the country but a lot of my friends on the East Coast have been heavily impacted which is terrible to see. At the same time though it’s so amazing to see everyone around the world trying to pitch in and do their bit to get our country back on their feet.
You recently had the chance to get in the studio with some of Perth’s finest for a mega-collab. How did this come together? What was the experience like? All the proceeds are going to charity right?
Correct! It was really an amazing experience. A bunch of friends getting together to do our bit to help with what’s going on, also seeing how we all work creatively was great and very inspiring. All proceeds will be going to Red Cross Australia which is a charity. We also have a shirt available for purchase too so keep an eye out for that if you haven’t already seen it on the link!
The EP is very diverse… No specific genre, all experimental stuff. There might even be some in the mix ;)
Your style has varied a fair bit over the years, from hard and filthy, to upbeat and vibey. What direction are you headed with the upcoming EP?
As you know I hate sticking to one style, and I’m thankful my fans allow me to do that. The EP is very diverse… No specific genre, all experimental stuff. There might even be some in the mix ;)
What else can you tell us about the project? Do you have a release date or label locked in?
I can’t say too much but we are just finalising everything, labels take a long time unfortunately. If it were up to me I would’ve had it out in December along with more content. But trust me when I say there is a lot of music coming this year.
I know you’re a big hip-hop fan, who are your favourite rappers right now and why?
Have you been stalking me??? I’m really digging KEY, Gunna, Denzel Curry, Slowthai and Shadow at the moment.
switch out the time you take to watch Netflix or porn and you’ll see how much you can actually get done. No excuses, if you want it then you’ll get it.
Do you currently do music full time? What ways can recommend to artists to make money outside of the obvious (streaming, shows, etc.)? Do you have any advice for balancing a music career and a 9 to 5?
I do, but I also teach Ableton and other music stuff online. Mix/master stuff, some ghost writing for people etc. It is really hard to make a living off music and it’s taken me years to get to the point where I can do it and even still I have a long way to go. The best advice I can give for someone trying to find that balance is to find a job where you can have enough time to come home and still do your daily tasks and have enough time to sit down and do music. Or if you can’t switch jobs, switch out the time you take to watch Netflix or porn and you’ll see how much you can actually get done. No excuses, if you want it then you’ll get it.
…if someone wants to be in the industry I don’t have a problem with helping them reach their goal.
Have you ghost written a lot of tracks for other artists? This practice seems to be pretty controversial in the industry. I’m guessing you don’t have a problem with it though? What made you want to start ghost producing?
I have done a bit but more so just writing for pop or hip hop artists, nothing I’m allowed to talk about though haha. The stuff I have done for other producers is fine to me, if someone wants to be in the industry I don’t have a problem with helping them reach their goal. If someone asked you to write their articles for them in exchange for $$$ I’m sure you’d find it hard to say no :p
Last year the Cleveland Cavaliers used your song ‘Bound’ for their promo video. How did that come to be? What did it feel like to see your music leveraged in that way?
That was so wild! I randomly got tagged in the Cavs post one morning by the rapper on the song (Von Alexander – amazing rapper check him out). Honestly have no idea how they came across the song but it was a great feeling seeing that, especially considering that was the track off the EP that got the least amount of exposure.
There seems to be a constant stream of incredible talent coming out of Australia. Can you give us 5 Aussie artists that you think are next up?
There really is! My top 5 that will dominate the WORLD this year are Avance, Leotrix, Godlands, Aeterna and Badrapper.
What has you most excited for in 2020?
All the music I’ll be releasing and travel I’ll be doing. Finally heading over to the states in May so I get to meet a bunch of online friends and collaborators I’ve known for years, and get to jump into some big session too. Can’t wait!
Tracklist
- Skrillex – Fuji opener
- SLUMBERJACK & FOMO – Hades
- Quix – Huhh
- Voltra – Shader Unit
- Hairitage – THE MOVEMENT
- TWERL – ID
- Zeke Beats & TWERL – ID
- Dabow – Ole
- Effin – Partial
- ID – ID
- Leotrix – ID
- TWERL & AETERNA – ID
- G Jones – Immortal light
- AVANCE – ID
- TNGHT – Goooo
- Sam Gellaitry – KEED
- Sober Rob – RESET
- TNGHT – Dollaz
- Jon Casey x Fabian Mazur – The Bounce
- RL Grime – Valhalla (Reaper Flip)
- REZZ & 1788-L – Hex
- Reaper – Oblivion
- TWERL x SLUMBERJACK – Shockone – HWLS, Loston (australian fire benefit)
