Strange Talk started out as a 4- piece electro- pop group and has whittled down to sonic duo Stephen Docker and Gerard Sidhu. Hailing from Melbourne, Australia the uplifting French disco/ electronic sounds of Strange Talk will fill your soul and flood your head. Intimate lyrics and striking synths flow throughout every track making it impossible not to groove in one way or another.
Interview by Ashley Zucker
photography by Lauren Engel
Tell us about your upbringing and how does it shape the music you make?
Gerard: I grew up in a family of 5 kids, two older brothers and two older sisters. Both my brothers played instruments all through school and I naturally followed there lead. I started with trumpet at school and then picked up the bass for a few years but as soon as I was exposed to dance music I fell in love!! From there I started Djing school formals and underage event and then found my way into a studio and never looked back. I became obsessed synths/studio equipment and learning how to produce and program. I surrounded myself with a lot of professional producers/musicians who ended up becoming good mates and absorbed as much info as I could. All of these influences are very evident in the way I make music today as its always very musical with a heavy focus on programming and outboard synths and always with strong dance elements.
Steven: Having learnt classical violin since the age of 7 I cant actually remember life without music in it. As the violin is an instrument which focuses strongly on melody, it has definitely helped create a subconscious focus around melody within the music we make today. As production and songwriting was something that only became a prominent focus later in life for me (around the age of 18) it was the ideals and the discipline of practice and repetition from the classical music upbringing which has helped shape the music made Today. Constantly trying to develop, grow and improve is something i’m always focused on and definitely the key ideals my parents taught me from the many early years spent sacrificing weekends with friends to stay home and practice. I believe that the artists who will stay around the longest are the one’s who can continuously re-invent themselves.
Which artists were you listening to when you were 15?
Michael Jackson, Tupac, Notorious B.I.G, Mase, Nelly, Eminem, Bone Thugz n Harmony, Daft Punk, Aphex Twin. I’ve no doubt there are so many more but these are some which spring to mind.
“When you start with nothing but silence in the studio and you slowly build on an idea and see it grow and develop into a finished song/composition, it really is a rewarding feeling, which is somewhat addictive!”
What series of events encouraged you start creating music?
violin lessons -> music theory -> bachelor of music studies -> club scene -> dance music -> DJ’ing -> music production -> songwriting. For me, there’s nothing more satisfying than playing your own music at a show or festival for example, and seeing the joy and happiness it can bring to people. My years of growing up playing music were definitely huge stepping stones leading to where I am today, however it’s hard to compare the feeling you get between playing other composers/artists music and performing you’re own. I find it hugely satisfying and motivating. When you start with nothing but silence in the studio and you slowly build on an idea and see it grow and develop into a finished song/composition, it really is a rewarding feeling, which is somewhat addictive!
Your recent EP is titled E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N Can you describe the transformation Strange Talk has gone through over the past couple years?
The main change has been going from a 4-piece live indie pop band outfit to an electronic duo. To reflect the change in live dynamic we had to transform our overall sound to make sense as a touring live act. For example, as we no longer tour with a drummer we felt the use of live drum sounds had to evolve into more electronic programmed drum sounds. We’ve also grown a few years older since the creation and release of the previous album, which for us has brought out a more mature aesthetic, The one thing that’s important to us with this transformation is to avoid anything that’s forced. We want everything from the music, to photo’s to video clips and all other things creative to be natural and a true representation of us and what we love.
Your track âWhen It Feels So Goodâ is quite the dance tune! What feels so good to you?
A hot summer’s day by the beach with a refreshing cocktail in one hand is something that first springs to mind. Or, perhaps we just really need a vacation!
What do you think you would be doing if you werenât creating/ performing music?
Steven: I have a huge passion for space, science and nature so definitely something within those fields. An astronaut or working for NASA would be pretty awesome! The best thing about creating music is that there are no boundaries or rules. If things were different and music wasnt a part of my life, the need for freedom, flexibility and discovery is what I would still chase.
Gerard: I would still definitely be in a creative field of some sort!! Before I decided to go full time with music I was doing my masters in graphic design which I really enjoyed, so I think I would be working in the design field. I also love music technology so I may have also gone down the tech side more and done electronics so I could build and mod synths…..who knows!
“True representation of us and what we love” – A talk with Strange Talk
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