Tell us about yourself and your music
I think about music as my first language. At it’s best it’s free expression beyond the limits of basic sentences and constructions. It’s the moods, motivations, and memory inviting the listener into another space. Whether I’m working on my own material or producing for others, this is always the aim. It’s powerful, beautiful and elusive.
Talk to us more about your latest release
My latest LP is The Memory Keys. The songs came to me in quick succession at a time when I wasn’t consciously thinking of a next album. Suddenly there was a bunch of material which I played to my production partners, Simon Segal & Wayne Rintoul and voila, it all started to make sense as possibly my most complete work.
What inspired you to write this release?
I’d been getting back into vinyl and revisiting the records that made a big impact on me in my formative years.
It got me thinking about why they were so important to me then and what it all means to me now. Songs that mean so much to you are like a friend which over time the relationship evolves and that’s what I was exploring at the center of The Memory Keys.
Describe the writing and recording process
Once I worked through the demos with Simon & Wayne we talked at length about the shape of sound we were going for and from that, it was pretty clear about who to invite in to play. As the themes revolve around relationships I very much wanted the best players that are close friends as well that connect through the music. (drums: Paul Richards / guitar: Matthew Shadwick / keys: Evan Englezos / musical trinkets: Brother To The Birds/guitar: Wally Hite Rankin) We wanted that connection to come across on record.
Any plans to release a video?
There are three singles on video & a two-part documentary.
– The Midnight Road
– Meet You Once Again
– 45 Revolutions
– The Memory Keys In-The-Making (Parts 1 & 2)
Any plans to hit the road?
This has been an internationally targeted release to indie radio with surprise pop-up shows.
As an indie artist, how do you brand yourself and your music to stand out from the rest of the artists out there?
I’ve played in numerous bands of the years which was amazing, getting close to all kinds of people, diving deep in the music world. Out of that, I formed Prototype Musique which is a production label for arranging, producing & releasing indie artists out of Australia along with my own work.
Who have you been listening to lately?
The new album from Sarah Blasko mixes some great sonic spaces with courageous songwriting. And I’m relistening to Harry Nilsson. Fantastic arrangements and his voice simply glide above it all.
Who are your biggest influences?
That is too big a question. Here are a few LP’s that sound as vital now as they did up to half a century ago. Highway 61 Revisited, Revolver, Pet Sounds, Tea For The Tillerman, Blue, Histoire de Melody Nelson, and Hunky Dory
Tell us about your passions
A new horizon.
What else is happening next in your world?
We just released a new single for Wally Hite Rankin (The River) which has received fantastic feedback from indie radio.
I’m producing a couple more artists planned for release later in the year. Also, I’m collaborating on an international writing project which should come out as an LP.
Thanks for an awesome interview, Dallas
Connect with Dallas Cosmas
Website: http://prototypemusique.com/Collaborators/dallas-cosmas/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PrototypeMusiqSoundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/prototype-musiqueYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCstDERm4GrYEQv_1mSVSyNw/about
