Queensland DJ duo Bonka have teamed with singer-songwriter Bianca for their new dancefloor banger, 'Focus', which dropped at the beginning of May.
The follow-up single to 'Be Alive' featuring Luciana, 'Focus' presents a much more complex and sophisticated approach to composition and instrumentation. “I'd like to think every time we put out a record the standard improves, otherwise we'll become a bit stagnant,” one half of Bonka, Lachlan Norton says.
“There's a lot of different elements that have gone into this record in particular, but what we're trying to push toward into the future, especially with our more radio-friendly, poppy records, is to incorporate more live instruments.”
Lachlan goes on to praise the invaluable contributions of Bianca, who has previously leant her skills to Jennifer Lopez, Will Sparks (‘Closure’) and Tyron Happi & Joel Fletcher (‘Smooth Operator’).
“There was a lot of back and forth with Bianca herself because being the professional talent she is and such an incredible talent she is, she has such an insight into song composition and songwriting, which we hadn't had in the past dealing with lyricists and singers,” he says.
“I can't speak highly enough of Bianca and her talent because... she is the x-factor in this song. Her insight and ability to structure the way she sounds and the way she writes lyrics as well as the input she had into how the song came together was inevitably priceless. That would be her more complex, sophisticated thing you're hearing to be honest.”
Brimming with respect and admiration for Bianca, Lachlan and his partner-in-crime Connor O'Neill have paved a path of success for themselves that has led them out of their home town of Ipswich and onto the world stage in the space of five years.
“It started [in 2014] as just a hobby, and a way to have fun and earn a little money on the side when we were going to uni and having day jobs,” Lachlan explains.
“But to see something you love turn into a full-time job, and effectively more than a full-time job... it's been surreal. The fact you can make a very comfortable living and have the freedom to do what you like while doing something you're passionate about is more than anyone could ask for, especially us.”
From graduating Ipswich Grammar to setting international dancefloors alight, it's been no easy feat for Lachlan and Connor to establish themselves as an EDM act in a town more traditionally associated with rock and country music.
“Every now and then we have to pinch ourselves because the five-year milestone came up a coupe of weeks ago – we were sitting here looking back and were just gobsmacked by what has happened [in that time],” Lachlan says.
“We started playing house parties in Ipswich and now we've played some of the biggest clubs in the world. It's just unbelievable and it's a testament to our team and our fans and people who come and support us. Me and Con, we work hard and we love what we do but we'd be nothing without the support.”
