With the likes of Mood Swing & Chevy Bass onboard, this year's Island Vibe is gonna need a bigger boat.
Lauded as the 'undisputed party-starters' of the festival and club scene, Mood Swing (David 'Dizzy' McEvoy) and Chevy Bass (Nick Economidis) combine slick samples, big beats and unbridled antics into one colourful, irresistible package.
From their podium the duo conduct their shows like ringmasters in a circus, encouraging you to surrender your inhibitions to the rhythm and let loose your inner party animal.
Ahead of a US tour, the release of their debut EP and their Island Vibe set (they've also been added to Earth Frequency Festival's 2020 line-up), we tracked down Mood Swing and Chevy Bass for a quick how-do-you-do and to find out why you shouldn't bother coming to see them live. Now that's confidence.
Who's who, and what do you do?
Dizzy: I'm Mood Swing. I DJ, produce, play percussion/ trigger samples and generally do a lot of finger-pointing and fist-pumping.
Nick: I’m Chevy Bass. I’m the resident keytar player, electronic percussionist, disco aerobics instructor and I also like to twist knobs in a manner that is similar to trying to unscrew a nut that’s been rusted onto a bolt for 40 years. The trick is to really let your bass face do the work.
What's been happening for Mood Swing & Chevy Bass this year?
MS: Heaps. We've been travelling the country playing a bunch of festivals and shows.
CB: We’re just about to release our debut EP with Brazilian label G-Mafia. MS: And tomorrow we're headed off to the states for three weeks.
That trip to the US; is that for pleasure or business?
MS&CB: A little from column A, a little from column B. Headed to a ranch in Massachusetts for our good friend's wedding, then off to New York for some inspiration and songwriting. Then it's out to get dusty in the Nevada desert to play three shows at Burning Man.
What do you have in-store for Island Vibe in October?
MS: Not entirely sure just yet; once we make it back alive from the desert we'll start planning and scheming.
CB: Either way you can guarantee it's going to be funky and/ or filthy.
Any artists on the Island Vibe line-up you're excited to see?
MS: It's always great to see Oscar (Opiuo) do his thing. We have seen him play a boat-load of times, but every show is an absolute monster.
CB: Also really keen to check out Havana Meets Kingston; have heard some amazing things about their live show and we’ve been following Mista Savona for a while now, so keen to see his creation in the flesh.
How do you guys like to psych yourselves up before a live show?
CB: For us, it's more about psyching ourselves down before a show. We know that as soon as that first note hits, it's time to start the party. Over the years we’ve learned that playing inebriated may be fun for us, but it’s not for the audience.
MS: So our pre-show routine usually involves a cup of Earl Grey, a Monte Carlo bikkie and some light tai chi.
Is there a method or process for organising a set list for the live show?
MS: Each show is specifically crafted to cater to the stage we are playing. Whether it be a main stage outdoor festival, or a more intimate club show. It also depends on which of our guest musicians we have for a particular show, which range from electric cello, to saxes/ trumpets and. . .
CB: And sometimes we put a bunch of tunes on a dartboard, put on a blindfold and throw frankfurts at it.
Who designs and makes the costumes you wear onstage?
CB: All of our costumes are custom made from various Australian designers. Quite a number of our jackets have been designed by our good friend Kaidee from Kulture Collective, who is based in Federal, NSW.
MS: We're always lucky that local designers approach us in our audience to help us whip up something fresh.
A song/ sample of a song that never fails to get the party started?
Both: Soul Makossa!
CB: No matter the stage, the crowd or the demographic, this song is impossible not to get down to.
MS: We have tried to retire it numerous time over the last four years, but it's always close by as our 'break glass in emergency' dance floor reviver banger.
For people who have never seen Mood Swing & Chevy Bass, convince them why they should come see you at Island Vibe/ Earth Frequency?
CB: The best way to answer this is to tell you reasons you shouldn't come to our show; like, if you’re looking for a really chilled-out, wholesome experience, don’t come see us.
MS: If you hate fist pumping, don’t come see us.
CB: Yep. If you’re not willing to get out of your comfort zone, be instructed to take part in crowd participation or synchronised dance, and you’re not willing to unleash your funky beast on the dance floor, it’s probably best you don’t come see us.
And will there be another riding-a-boat crowd surfing moment?
CB: Haha! Since the initial boat incident, every gig we turn up at the first thing the promoters asks is ‘Did you bring the boat?’. All I can say is that ship has sailed for now, however we have a crack team of scientists currently working on a new vessel we hope to unleash soon.
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
MS: We've got a pretty choc full schedule full of festivals and shows for the rest of the year, before we embark on a tour on NZ over Christmas and New Years, and if we can squeeze in some studio time before then we’d love to release some more music either at the end of this year or early next year.
