Sticks & Stones Shitty Interview No.129

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Following the release of his new single and video ‘What Should I Do?’ and highly anticipated second EP, ‘Conversations’, today we bring you Shitty Interview No.129 with Australian homegrown R&B artist Budjerah.

To celebrate the release, the 19-year-old wunderkind has announced a world tour. Starting in Australia, Budjerah will perform in Ireland, England, Germany, The Netherlands and France, before he travels to North America for shows in San Diego, Los Angeles and New York in May and June.

On ‘What Should I Do?’ Budjerah unites with producer Konstantin Kersting on a track that finds powerful tension in its clash of electro-R&B production and emotive lyricism. Kersting’s trademark synths, render with a warped, almost vaporwave-like patina, glide and glissando beneath. “The lyrics for What Should I Do? came really easily,” Budjerah says of the meaning behind the track. “The inspiration came a few weeks earlier – I noticed that my friends weren’t really texting me or calling me; they had sort of pushed me to the side. I was sad because I didn’t have any friends, and didn’t know what to do. But now it’s over: I got some new friends.” Fittingly, the song sparkles with the knowledge of hindsight.

Reunited with Mick Soiza who directed Budjerah’s ARIA nominated video ‘Higher’, the moody visual accompaniment for What Should I Do? was captured in the Byron hinterland. Soiza had this to say of the clip, “Apart from the track being a soulful undercover dance floor banger, I feel this song captures a lot of the social anxiety and disconnection so many people feel but are too afraid or embarrassed to voice. His ability to articulate how he was feeling in a genuinely exposed way and to back himself by not wanting to cave to peer pressure as a young man is well beyond his years. The aim was to tap into this and create something quite literal to the meaning of the song and dive into how confident Budjerah was in his vulnerability in this song.”

Sticks & Stones: What’s hot? Answer as if Paris Hilton is asking.
Budjerah: Tiny Sunglasses

Sticks & Stones: What’s not?
Budjerah: Poor hygiene.

Sticks & Stones: First thing you put in your mouth today?
Budjerah: Water.

Sticks & Stones: Last Google search? If you lie you’re only lying to yourself
Budjerah: I Googled “How did gold become valuable?” Very interesting I think.

Sticks & Stones: Last lie you told?
Budjerah: My last Google search.

Sticks & Stones: Would you rather be too wet or too dry?
Budjerah: Wet. Because I don’t like the tight feeling in my skin when it’s dry.

Sticks & Stones: What’s a weird food you like?
Budjerah: I like to put lemon juice on chicken flavoured chips. Everyone should try it.

Sticks & Stones: Last stupid thing you did?
Budjerah: Got lost at Westfield.

Sticks & Stones: What movie do you know all the lines to?
Budjerah: Mulan. My little sisters didn’t wanna watch anything else for a while & now it’s burned into my brain

Sticks & Stones: Give us some shitty advice.
Budjerah: Someone once told me to quit singing and get a real job. I didn’t listen, but I don’t think it would’ve turned out good if I did.