High energy hip hop duo CHOOSE MICS have struck the east coast of Australia with their astounding stage presence and musical talent. The release of their experimental LP The Pre Album mid-last year saw the Brissie boys touring intensely, the demand from fans rapidly building, soon to be followed by the boys isolating themselves in order to complete their second LP Beggars Can't Be Choosers.
The boys have spent the last gosh-knows-how-long in Mules' home studio, experimenting with b-sides from The Pre Album and tiding up and "making all of the tracks sharper." While doing a few gigs here and there to keep up their reputation and stage presence, Haunts and Mules have been slogging it out in the studio. Having basically finished the album now, the boys are about to send it off and will expect feedback soon on the record as well as the album artwork. It is unknown at this point whether the album will be an independent release or not.
Now, we all know artists have a tendency to voice their opinions rather loudly, even if they may be slightly ridiculous. Yes, I'm referring to Haunts' myspace blog about interspecies relationships. In the blog Haunts expresses his utter disgust with the promotion of interspecies relationships in children's films and television shows. "Haunts does have some pretty strong opinions on some things" and where there is a strong opinion, there is usually a song to express it - especially with hip hop being such a lyric-based genre. I ask whether there may be a song on this issue any time soon, to which Mules replies, "Ha! I hope not! But I guess you never know."
Hip hop has always been Mules' favourite genre. He has been listening to it since he was "knee high," and the release of Beggars Can't Be Choosers will have himself and Haunts touring Australia with nationally renowned hip hop group Bliss N Eso - who Mules says he and Haunts are "heaps pumped to tour with" - in September and October this year.
Being in the music industry has enabled Mules to work with artists and producers that he has been a fan of since childhood, he says. "It's strange but incredible to be able to talk to them and hang out and work with them."
Choose Mics have consistently delivered impressive and highly energetic shows all around Australia but the question is: which city delivers the most impressive crowd? "I'd have to say Byron Bay... they seem the most starved for it," Mules reveals. "A lot of people come from all the little towns surrounding the city and their energy is astounding."
The rapidly rising success of this hip hop duo has resulted in the planning of an international tour ("Hopefully end of this year, beginning of next," Mules says) in which the boys obviously want to hit the UK, as it is where Haunts is from, and are also hoping to head over to Europe and Asia. "It depends on who wants us and if we can manage it financially."
Be sure to catch Choose Mics before they head overseas at Transit Bar on Saturday July 11.
