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music
BIG WORDS | AUSTRALIA'S MOST ADORED ALT R&B GROUP
![Alt Text](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c346b607eaa09d9189a870/1596573023793-RK76GDOQDR75779URDED/Big+Words+FLAUNT.png) Tipsy and quarantined in their loft, Will Scullin and Kieren Lee of Big Words, Melbourne’s own alt R&B group, decided one night over drinks that they would finish off some semi-formed tracks which were never otherwise going to see the light of day. Two weeks later...Cherry, their new mixtape out yesterday, was created. After taking a deep listen, it’s easy to say that these so-called ‘offcuts’ are actually their best body of work yet. Cherry offers us a little earcandy of hope, and is a sweet but simple reminder to keep hold of that relentless drive to create despite these troubled times. We caught up with Big Words to chat through the inspiration behind Cherry and how they got discovered by Wu-Tang Clan’s Ghostface Killah. Can you tell us about your backgrounds? And at what point did you both realize you wanted to start making music together? Will Scullin: As kids we both grew up listening to the classics, Kieren grew up on Sinatra and the crooners and I grew up on The Beatles and Ella Fitzgerald. As we went from children to teenagers we were both very active musicians in school, playing in bands and performing at assemblies and lunch times. We crossed paths by complete coincidence at a cafe when we were 16 years old and following a jam that day, we haven’t stopped creating together for 10 years. It was all in the stars! What do you two admire about each other while working together? WS: We basically operate as two sides of a brain, there’s certain things the other can’t do and then can do with the other. Kieren has an ability to pull incredible melodies out of thin air, while I construct and visualize the song ahead. We are both very different song writers and creatives, so it has always been a nice harmony of different skills. What have you been up to since your latest release? WS: We’ve just been going about life really. We’ve written our debut record which has been accumulated over the past 2-3 years. Nothing has been pushed or come out of songwriting sessions, just things we’ve written separately over the past few years. We’re not living off our career yet, so a lot of our time has been spent working outside of music, but we’ve found as hard as it can be it all the more leads to more inspiration. How does it feel to be releasing after 3 years? WS: A little scary, I mean the Mixtape was definitely a kind of COVID-19 accident. We had our grand album plans all rolling along until the virus hit, so we opted for working at home and came up with the mixtape. It’s definitely a totally different feel to our forthcoming debut album, which we’ve been working on so meticulously for these last few years, but it’s definitely a good insight into what’s to come. Can you tell us how you guys got connected with Ghostface Killah? Kieran Lee: I was busking in the city, rapping over beats I made on my phone when I looked up and saw Ghostface walking towards me holding two bags of Ugg boots and a $20 bill. He told me I had some fly shit and respected my hustle, then invited me to perform at the Wu- Tang Show that evening. After calling Will we linked up in a rush to be quickly ushered into the back of Margaret Court Arena. I wasn’t exactly sure of what he wanted me to do, so I waited on the side of the stage while they finished the show. Then he walked up to me and asked if I was ready, handed me the mic and I went on and freestyled to a beat I made on my phone (again) in front of 7000 people. What is the main message that you want fans to take away from the ‘Cherry’ mixtape? KL: To allow yourself to be yourself, not overthink too much and have a good time. We made the mixtape in my bedroom and moved quickly from song to song, to us that’s what gives it the charm. We can comfortably say that nothing was really over thought on this record, it was fun from start to finish and that’s how we want you to enjoy it. Who are some of your Australian artists you're listening to at the moment? WS: Most of our favourite Australian artists are our friends, Nasty Mars, Swell, Baro, are always on high rotation. Tkay Maidza is always putting out consistently good art too, we love her. Also special shout out to Convenience Store, a really dope local band out of Melbourne. How has quarantine been going? What’s the first thing you guys want to do after the pandemic? WS: Quarantine has been nice, we both had a big break from working and got to focus on making the mixtape. We really can’t wait to go on tour again, playing live we feel is our strongest point as a group. We can’t wait to put on some crazy shows as soon as it’s possible. Can you define what success is for you as an artist? WS: Success for us was perfectly described by a young Amy Winehouse; having the freedom to work with whoever you want to work with. Being able to access producers and people's creativity at our leisure, that’s success. Also connecting with people, I think you’re successful as an artist when people can feel what you feel, or at least their version of it. That’s what drives the artist to create more, it’s all about the fans. Do we see any singles or albums in the future? WS: Yes, both. Our debut album will be early next year, something we’ve been working on for a number of years now. Anything else that your fans should know about? WS and KL: If you could do us a favour, listen to the whole of Cherry in a quiet place with headphones or lie on the floor in front of good speakers.