With a dedicated, loyal fan base, Horrorshow burst on the scene with their debut album ‘The Grey Space’.
They have supported some of Australia’s biggest artists including Bliss N Eso and Hilltop Hoods, and have just released one of the dopest new singles and announced a national tour to boot. Despite their current album, ‘Kings Amongst Many’, entering the ARIA charts at number two, the group's rapper Solo says for the next album they’ve taken a different approach.
They gave themselves more space to breathe, and got back to having fun making music. “Making 'Kings Amongst Many’ almost sent me crazy due to the pressure I put on myself. We set high goals for it and wanted to have a central theme across [the album]. So this time around, we just wanted to enjoy the art of making songs.”
The first single to be lifted from the new album features Solo bragging about his prowess on the mic, while humbly shouting out to some of his influences. One particular line stands out. “Turn off your Black Eyed Peas and put on some B.D.P.” He explains this tongue-in-cheek line is more of an effort to highlight some of the classic hip hop, rather than a diss. “For the kids who hang off my every word, the way I did my favourite rappers word, maybe at least one of them will go and look up B.D.P. and find out what that is.
"If they don't, I’ll try not to hold that against them. I'm just trying to spread the love by showing them the stuff that I've got a lot out of. By doing that hopefully it opens up some more people to that music as well.”
Part of the success of Horrorshow is their combined efforts as a duo. While Solo is the lyricist and Adit is the producer, the lines are somewhat blurred. “I'll have ideas about the beats and he'll try and incorporate them. He'll have suggestions about the songwriting or what sort of vibe he hears on a beat. It's always like a conversation. At the end of the day we respect each other’s talents.”
Solo says it’s much like a relationship, and they don’t always agree. “We find a way to work it out and compromise and find what's going to be best for the song.”
It certainly seems to be working, with 'If You Know What I Mean' bringing a mix of clever word play, a tightly-produced beat and a catchy hook that will have you singing along after your first listen. Horrorshow employ a mix of traditional sampling with an array of live instrumentation to create their trademark sound. Adit played bass and Solo played drums in high school, which is apparent in their music. They have a strong cohesion and solid rhythm.
After starting out with Cubase and Logic, the duo primarily uses Ableton (to produce) these days. Solo’s quick to mention he hasn’t really used much MPC, although they do have one in their studio. When approaching the new album, the process is one they’ve used for year. “Adit will come to me with a sketch of a beat [a basic version] and if I'm feeling it I'll write to it.”
Written by Wayde Richardson
Horrorshow Shows
Wed 12 Oct - Transit Bar (Canberra)Thu 13 Oct - University of Wollongong's Uni Bar
Fri 14 Oct - Cambridge Hotel (Newcastle)
Sat 15 Oct - The Factory Theatre (Sydney)
Thu 20 Oct - Republic Bar (Hobart)
Fri 21 Oct - Howler (Melbourne)
Sun 23 Oct - The Gov (Adelaide)
Thu 27 Oct - Mojos (Fremantle)
Fri 28 Oct - Amplifier (Perth)
Sat 29 Oct - The Zoo (Brisbane)
Sun 30 Oct - Solbar (Sunshine Coast)
