Dark-pop solo artist ALTERJOY has been making waves in his corner of the alternative music industry this year, releasing a collection of singles that see him explore societal norms, exploitation, existentialism and social media.
The latest being 'World So Loud', which recently premiered on the big screen in Sydney at Inner West Film Festival. Working with Chris Lalic of Windwaker on the production side of things, ALTERJOY borrows elements of EDM, metal, dark pop and hip hop, inspired by artists like Enter Shikari, Bilmuri and GHOSTEMANE, and sets out on a path of self-discovery and sonic exploration.ALTERJOY is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Ben Heidrich, predominantly known for his role as drummer in Adelaide alternative metal outfit The Daily Chase.
After relocating to the Gold Coast last year, Heidrich ignited his creativity in the form of ALTERJOY, a project free from genre restraint and restriction.
Here, Ben lists five of his favourite solo artists who also found their beginning playing in bands.
Bilmuri - 'myfeelingshavefeelings'
Discovering new inspirations, I first discovered Bilmuri during a punk-rock MBA podcast with Johnny Franck, former clean vocalist and guitarist for Attack Attack. I was a big fan of his band back in 2010, so I had to pause the podcast and look up his solo project once he mentioned it.He explained how he wrote all the music himself and just used midi drums plus an old sh.tty guitar to record. His songwriting and production skills were the real tools he used to create the magic. I was instantly hooked on Bilmuri after the first spin.
The music is so dynamic and always evolving with each release. He's the biggest reason I started ALTERJOY. 'myfeelingshavefeelings' was the first song I heard. Being such a pleasant surprise, it really stuck with me.
GHOSTEMANE - 'Vagabond'
I love GHOSTEMANE's confidence to be bold and evolve. His appearance and branding grabbed my attention before I connected with his music. The introduction of a more industrial-style edge into his music on the 'N/O/I/S/E' album sparked my interest.However, it was the 'ANTI-ICON' album that truly won me over. His background in hardcore punk and metal bands before transitioning to rap has motivated him to evolve from conventional trap into a wholly innovative entity. I feel 'Vagabond' captivates the energy and aggression in his modern industrial, trap-metal genre.
Gwen Stefani - 'Cool'
I love Gwen as she pushes the commercial boundaries of alternative music. It's not every day you see the lead singer of an alternative ska-punk band evolve into a pop sensation. I remember watching No Doubt music videos on 'Rage' during my teenage years, captivated by their bold visuals and infectious pop melodies.One song of theirs that stood out to me was 'Hella Good', especially the black and white contrasted music video. For me, this track bridged a gap between alternative rock and pop music at the time. I recently created my own version of the song because the chorus is just so fun to sing.
It was almost inevitable that Gwen would outgrow her band and achieve immense commercial success as a solo pop artist. She was the enigmatic force in No Doubt's sound and energy. Her songs evoke an instant sense of nostalgia, yet I still notice innovative production and songwriting elements in her music today. Gwen brought a fresh, edgy vibe to mainstream pop music.
'Cool' is a great pop song, I really enjoy it. Certainly not her most alternative track. I find 'Hollaback Girl' and 'What You Waiting For' to be more creative and unique, but 'Cool' embodies everything I love about 2000s pop music. I'm sure it was featured during an emotive montage in a movie scene somewhere.
Rob Zombie - 'Living Dead Girl'
Rob Zombie built an empire. On his debut solo album 'Hellbilly Deluxe', Rob is credited for vocals, lyrics, production, music, artwork and art direction. To see how hands-on he was with his first release as a solo artist is inspiring and motivating.His music and horror-inspired branding are legendary and have left a significant mark on the music industry. Rob collaborated with Charlie Clouser from Nine Inch Nails on some of the songs, incorporating more electronic sounds. This aspect particularly grabs my attention in the production, especially considering the album was created in 1998.
'Living Dead Girl' is a standout to me on Rob's debut solo album. The songwriting and overall production on the track is great. The chorus/ vocal hook became iconic due to the song's inclusion in 2000s horror films. The incorporation of vocal samples and lyrical lines from '60s and '70s horror films truly reinforces the Rob Zombie brand.
Skrillex - 'Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites'
Skrillex is innovation and I loved his creation of something new. Sonny Moore is living proof that anything is possible in the music industry. The lead vocalist from one of my favourite post-hardcore bands becoming the biggest DJ in the world was not on my bingo card.It's undeniable that Skrillex has been an innovator and pioneer in the realm of electronic music, catapulting dubstep onto the global stage with his intense interpretation of the genre.
'Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites' is self-produced by Sonny; this track is the perfect blend of jaw-dropping aggression and beautifully crafted lead melodies. I've always loved the use of the iconic Speedstackinggirl YouTube sample; that drop hits hard!
