LOST DOGS OF ULTIMO – interview

Introduce your band, and describe your latest release:
Hi Lost Dogs Of Ultimo is the band and the latest release was Police and Thieves our version of an old reggae song

What’s the hardest part about being a band in this day and age?
I think the hardest thing is finding a way to connect with listeners in this expanding digital world of entertainment on all levels of streaming from music, art and film there is so much content now

When did you realise that your project had the potential to be much more than just a fun idea?
This project started as an audio visual art project in 2020 with me running around the back lanes of Melbourne with a camera and scurrying home to my studio to edit and make music for the soundtrack. Then in early 2021 I felt I wanted to make more music as the photography was incredibly time consuming for me as I was quite busy with two other music collaborations producing for Flip That Groove and The Crushed Puppets

Tell us about your latest release, why should we check it out?
Police and Thieves was a song I used to perform as a busker when I first started playing music I was influenced by punk and The Clash and that song was easy for me to play. Over the years my exposure to other music genres and styles was changing My style and technique so that I thought in 2023 I would record that song with a heavy Bass and Loops feel to it as I get more confident in the studio. It’s not quite a Reggae track but you can feel the groove of both Junior Murvin and the energy of The Clash

How does a song typically come together for you?
It’s a quick process starting with formulating drum beats and getting the tempo sorted I start the build of the Bass with usually 3 tracks for that then adding guitar and vocals if I’m collaborating we start to piece together the theme or topic that’s currently on our minds. We then spend a lot of time mixing getting volumes and effects sorted

How would you describe your sound to an unfamiliar reader?
Well I’m influenced by both punk and reggae and I like experimental sounds and merging a few different beats from a Middle Eastern perspective. I’m also pretty raw and edgy as I am self taught so I sometimes don’t to conform to usual patterns when I write songs. I could have a really long Intro or I can just have a couple of lines of lyrics that loop around not necessarily a Verse Chorus Verse structure

What do you want listeners to take away from listening to your band?
I think like most artists we want a connection or to resonate on a feel as to what we are trying to present in the music. I have used some pretty heavy topics like Mental Health and Death things that are in our community and usually not talked about but probably should have more discussion on

Where would you really like to tour that you haven’t done so yet, and why?
Well that changes like the seasons. I live in Australia and grew up in the UK so I would like to return and play over there at some point to take my music back to where it all started with me

How would you say that the sound of your band has progressed over the years?
It started with soundtracks and mainly instrumental surf punk rock now it has evolved with a lot more layers with instruments a bigger heavier bass sound with a mix of drum sounds using loops and beats and sampling so I guess it would be Experimental Electronic Punk Beats

How excited are you for 2023, and what can fans expect from you?
Well it’s turning into a very exciting year personally for me, writing and producing music for other bands. But with Lost Dogs Of Ultimo 2023 I want pay tribute to some of the bands and artist that inspired me to play music and be creative. We are set to release an experimental reggae version of Identity an X Ray Specs song that is still relevant today lyrically

We have deconstructed it musically and added layers of vocals collaborated with Madam Nightingale a Melbourne artist and brilliant vocalist she brings a lot of texture to the song which is a tribute to Polystyrene who was an incredible artist and performer. X Ray Specs was one of the bands that inspired me to make music.

https://lostdogsofultimo.bandcamp.com/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0XwoN8qkF3CNq5aQoYf3EC?si=CxPlxYfsTw6VBa_ZrLfUig

https://soundcloud.com/user-232228180

 

https://www.facebook.com/people/Lost-Dogs-of-Ultimo/100077331099830/