Hiya Ms.D, What made you decide that music is a thing for you?
I didn’t grow up in a musical family so music and my interest in music was uniquely mine. I loved listening to music, finding new music and singing and dancing along whether it was Eminem, Fall Out Boy or Avril Lavigne. After playing a show and having my words sang with me, I knew I didn’t want to end up just singing in the shower.
Introduce us to you and your musical history.
I was given my first guitar when I was 7 years old. As soon as I learnt to read tabs I stopped lessons. I did singing lessons and performed but didn’t start creating my own music until high school. I moved to Newtown High School of Performing Arts in year 10 and met so many musicians where I was inspired to be become a better musician. I was lead singer in a Rock Reggae band, Delphine Geoff in 2014 until 2016 then created my solo project Ms.D. I started playing shows around Sydney at small venues such as wine bars and bowling clubs.
I always wished Delphine Geoff continued and wanted a band. I finally made an Instagram account and posted my first video then decided to record myself using Ableton. I concocted ‘Puppy’ my first solo track in my bedroom using splice drum loops and a bunch of guitar plugins. I met Daniel Natoli in 2019 and we worked on ‘Puppy’ together at Kiln Studios.
Dan is the best human being I have ever met. He inspired me to create more and quietened my self doubt. When I released ‘Puppy’ I chucked it up on Triple J unearthed and didn’t expect anyone to listen. I had 4 positive Triple J host reviews and was played on unearthed radio. When COVID hit some of my very talented mates became available and we started Ms.D as a band.
I had written all the songs and we rehearsed them every week. We recorded our first two singles ‘Soaked and Bound’ and ‘Howls’ which would then be apart of our debut EP ‘Flowers’ with Daniel Natoli at Asharp Recording studios. All the tracks are recorded live. We played shows around Sydney and had our EP launch at LazyBones Lounge in Marrickville.
The venue kept upping the capacity days before the show as restrictions eased and against all odds the show sold out. After COVID the boys had to return to their prior musical commitments so we recorded our final track together ‘You Annoy Me’. I’ve been writing new solo tracks and have 3 more ready to go to be released later this year and early next.
What was life like for you before music?
I’ve always had music in my life, couldn’t bear life without it.
What was the first song you heard that steered you into a music path?
It wasn’t one song or one band. It was an amalgam of Radiohead, Jaala, King Krule, Lucy Rose, Daughter and Hiatus Kaiyote that steered me in the direction I was heading. Learning and playing their songs steered my music path.
Where do you feel you currently sit within the music industry?
For now, I think I sit pretty low on the music hierarchy, others say otherwise. It’s not just the music, it’s the social media, the creating, the content, the self-funding.
I’m playing the long game. For me it’s not all about the numbers, it’s the people you meet, the people you’re lucky enough to create with and express yourself.
You have to play the game if you want to make music success a reality. If it’s 1 million streams or 10 streams, I do it all because of the passion I have to create. Music for me is an essential excretion.
What’s the biggest thing you have learned from someone else in the industry?
I’ll mention him again because he’s not only a top tier human being, sound engineer and musician, he’s a teacher. Daniel Natoli has taught me to create for myself and trust myself. To keep going and keep pushing because of the fulfilment music gives me.
Tell us two truths and a lie about you.
I skied down the Swisse Alps after severing my ACL at the top of a mountain
I sweet-talked my way from Europe back to Australia through 3 different countries without a passport
I hate butter and never use it in any of my cooking
If you could wish for one thing to aid your career what would it be?
The guitar-playing ability of Tim Henson
Do you ever worry about people taking things the wrong way or cancel culture? Discuss….
Personally, I don’t worry. I believe everyone should have the curiosity and empathy to learn and understand someone’s point of view. Whatever you say, whatever you do is open to someone’s interpretation. As long as you have good intentions and don’t hurt or discount someone or something in what you do or say, there shouldn’t be a problem.
Do you sign up to any conspiracy theories? If not why not?
Some, not all. 9/11, The death of Jeffery Epstein, subliminal advertising.
What was the worst experience on stage?
After a few too many schooners of wine (Yes, a venue served me beer-sized glasses of wine) I performed, not knowing that my boss and work colleagues were attending the show. I skulled a beer on stage, forgot I skulled a beer and abused the person who got me the beer for not getting me a beer. I don’t remember playing after the first song. My drummer found me asleep in the bathroom and took me home. Pretty embarrassing shift at work after that.
Tell us something about you that you think people would be surprised about.
One of my favourite genres is Prog Metal
What makes you stand out as an artist?
I’ve been told I have a unique sound that is difficult to pin to one genre or compare to one artist. I’d also like to think that I’m a pretty personable young lady who will give anyone the time of day.
I hear you have a new music, what can you tell us about it.
I have just released my latest single ‘You Annoy Me’. It’s a frustration-fueled alternative rock track with complex lyrics, a catchy chorus and an epic ending of siren-like menacing guitars. It’s my version of Taylor Swifting a boy. I have 3 more tracks ripe and ready to go. They are solo tracks. One of those tracks will be my first love song, written about a boy who stinks of diesel.
What was the recording process like?
We recorded at Asharp studios, live with the band and then added in the guitar overdubs and harmonies at the end.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tune?
This is our most produced track. Lots of little bits added in there. Cheeky little guitar riffs and harmonies. Learnt a lot about adding in those extra parts to capture the vibe and build the track.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
The only thing I would change is the length of the introduction. Could have shaved 5 seconds off the intro to make it hit earlier.
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