From the sunny beaches of northern NSW, Gratis Minds is comprised of Jon Do£ and Jay Orient.
They are two capable wordsmiths with a penchant for laidback, beach-driven hip hop who met in a coffee shop sparking up a conversation about a Joey Badass mixtape.
You’ve recently released your new single 'Up Again'. What has the reaction been like so far?
We have received a really warm response to 'Up Again', with reviews from multiple Triple J presenters and a feature in the Spotify playlist 'All Aussie Hip Hop'.
We thought the song was such a vibe [sic] from the start that we never really doubted if people would catch the vibe or not. It was more about making sure we could get it to the most ears as possible.
What’s the transition been like saying farewell to a long-standing member and adjusting as a two-piece?
At first it was very sombre and we were a little lost as to where to go from that point. This song was a vital part to helping us get through our situation and get moving again.
We officially announced JK-47 as the new, third member of Gratis Minds last month, so I guess we are back to being a three-piece again haha, but it's been great and we've been creating a heap of new music.
Collectively, what is your all-time favourite album and why is it so special to you both?
'I Don't Like Sh*t, I Don't Go Outside', an album by Earl Sweatshirt. We have both been heavily influenced by Earl for years and the production style on that album definitely seeped into Jay's production style. Earl's writing has always influenced Jon Do£ immensely.
If you could pick any artist dead or alive to work with, who would it be and why?
Jay Orient – lil bit cliche for me, but J Dilla. Dude's beats seriously opened my eyes. Jon Do£ – Earl Sweatshirt/ King Krule. Their music speaks to my soul.
What do you enjoy most, touring or recording and why?
Jon Do£ – I love creating the music but being on the road, eating shitty food, sleeping on friends' couches and getting up on stage is what its all about for me.
Jay Orient – For me it would have to be recording and writing beats. I live for the feeling I get when I know we've got one. For real.
Who would you love to support on tour and who would you love to support you on tour and why?
We have been massively inspired by Brockhampton and their movement lately, so it would be super cool to go on tour with them. As for someone to support us on tour it would only be right to be bring the crew Dead Caucus. DCDCDCDC.
What is the story behind the name Gratis Minds?
We where all pondering what we where going to call ourselves for a couple days and then Jon Do£ said in a session one day that 'Gratis' was Latin for free and we're free minds, let's be Gratis Minds. It kinda sounded cool and yeah that's how it happened.
Do you have a pre-show ritual before you go on stage?
That's a secret ;)
Where did you draw lyrical inspiration from for 'Up Again'?
Our current situation at the time. It's all very personal our music.
What’s on high rotation in your personal playlists right now?
Jay Orient – Slowthai's 'T N Biscuit'; Slum Village's 'Love Is'; Madlib's 'Beat Konducta Vol 1-2'; Z. Lewis' 'Pause'.
Jon Do£ - King Krule's '6 Feet Beneath The Moon'; Night Lovell's 'Boy Red'; XXXTentacion's '?'; Midas.Gold's 'Poppin'.
