Interview by Hudson Reed.

Futuremag Music sat down with Squid the Kid, one of Melbourne’s hottest rising artists, at BIGSOUND to see how everything’s been going since he released his debut EP, KOZY TAPE, in August.

FMM: How has BIGSOUND been so far?

STK: It's crazy, but it's cool. It's nice how everything is so close by that you can bounce around. You know that every set is 30 minutes, and sometimes there's clashes with people you want to see, but everything’s so close. You just bounce around. I'll see ten minutes of this artist and see the next one for ten minutes.

FMM: Yeah, I was actually doing research before I even flew in. I've never been to Brisbane before. This is my first time here and I was just looking at all the venues working out how long it would take me to get to each venue and such. I looked at it on maps and it’s all within the same block. I thought that was easy because I was talking to someone about SXSW and they said it was too spread-out, whereas this year I think they’re going for little closer nick kind of thing, which is good.

In my recent Google of you…

STK: Hopefully you didn't find anything crazy.

FMM: No, no, no. It's just mainly your sound is R&B and hip hop blended together. Is there an inspiration for that sound or any artists you look up to?

STK: Definitely. Like, you know, I get compared to your Anderson .Paak. That’s an artist I grew up listening to and that’s who sort of pushed me and made me confident to make music in the first place, just because I had never heard a sound like that. When they came on the scene, it was something that I liked and enjoyed. Something that I see myself making.

FMM: Absolutely. I love that, and you just released your KOZY TAPE EP. I had a cheeky listen earlier as well because we got the ruling, and I’m in awe. It’s really fucking good, I enjoyed every second of it and I do have it on repeat at the moment. What was the process of making that and releasing it? And how has it been since it’s release in August?

STK: It’s been crazy. Up until this project, I was always like single, single, single. One thing at a time. Focus on that and just kind of spit things out. Obviously, after the run we had last year, the team was sent down and said it’s time for a project. As much as I was opposed to the idea, it turned out to be one of the best things. I’m not big at multitasking, so that was daunting at the start, but when you have a great producer in your corner, it makes things easier, and it gives you the confidence. But, it’s been good. It took us seven months to complete it and create it, but it’s been a great experience.

FMM: Well, it sounds amazing. I know you’re playing BIGSOUND, but have you done any local regional tours or anything yet?

STK: Well, technically, this is my first tour. So, the EP’s out and then we’re here at BIGSOUND, taking off Brisbane and then we go down to Sydney in two weeks, playing at Low 302.

FMM: Amazing, yeah, I did see that. I might swing by.

STK: Great, for sure. Let me know.

FMM: I’ll come through.

STK: I’ll put you on the door.

FMM: In saying that, is there anywhere that’s like a dream place to perform?

STK: Honestly, in terms of the dream, I don’t know. I’m a big fan of F1 lately, so anything in Europe would be cool, but I’ve got a taste of what it’s like to play a festival., so honestly, any festival. I think just playing to a crowd that may know you or may not, is always intriguing. It’s a place where you can win new fans. It’s about the culture of festivals, too. Just being around it and getting a little taste of it. Listen Out last year was unreal, so I want to go on a little festival run. That’s my goal. I’m gunning for Laneway next year.

FMM: Oh, let’s go! That would be great. We’ve seen incredible artists perform at Laneway. Always good stuff. Imagine you playing there with Fred Again.. on the lineup. So, you did just release KOZY TAPE, but are there any plans for the future in terms of releasing things or are you just relishing the moment?

STK: At the moment, yeah, I’m just letting it do its thing, but I’m already slowly starting to get back in the studio anyways. It’s just head down and take one step at a time and see what we create next. As artists, we just constantly make stuff.

FMM: Yeah, it’s always a good time. Is there any dream artists you would like to perform with, alongside or headline with?

STK: You know, you never meet your heroes. because it’s like you meet them and then you perform with them and then what’s next? I’ve really clocked the game.

FMM: Yeah, for sure. Absolutely. With BIGSOUND, has there been any artists you’ve seen or that you’re wanting to catch while you’re here?

STK: Yeah, I thought I wasn’t gonna catch Friday and Zion Garcia, because I was a big fan of them. Me and Zion did Listen Out last together last year, so it was cool to chop it up with him and talk a little bit about our experiences. I thought we were clashing, but it turns out I’m on at 10.30, so I’ll try my best to swing through. Friday’s at 9.30, Zion’s at 10pm.

FMM: So you’ll hit one or two hopefully?

STK: Yeah, hopefully. It’s a bit rough, but we’ll see. They’re good. Worth rushing into.

FMM: For sure. I know Friday and Zion personally as well. Great lads. They’re cool, man. They’re good vibes. I feel like you could all tour together.

STK: Yeah, I want to make a track with them.

FMM: Do it.

STK: You know who I’m a big fan of from Sydney?

FMM: Who?

STK: Sollyy and Isaac. That RIDDLE ME THIS song. That is serious nuts. That’s a serious jab. I can’t drive. When I drive back home, that’s the first song I put on lately.

FMM: It’s good. I throw on the Sollyy and Zion track.

STK: Yeah, I saw it the other day on Zion’s page. I need a new banger to drive to.

LISTEN TO KOZY TAPE BELOW