When we decided to spend a day with Chris ‘Emoh’ Emerson aka What So Not, we knew that there was only one man for the job. Honourary Team LWA member Jack ‘The Menace’ Bennett has known Emoh for a couple of years, even shooting their first ever gigs with his mother’s camera back in 2012 (cute) and forming a friendship ever since.
With Jack taking the reigns on this project, we followed Emoh as he played two sold out shows in Sydney alongside undisputed nice fellow Charlie Chux, including all the backstage action and a little fun in between. Check it out below:
#WSN4EVA #WSN4EVA #WSN4EVA
We arrive at Max Watt’s for soundcheck, where we are greeted by fans who aren’t old enough to get into tonight’s show, but want a photo anyway. Emoh obliges and gets on one sturdy knee. He also gives them some free merchandise and invites them to watch soundcheck, solidifying his spot as the biggest sickunt in electronic music. #CELEBSTATUS
George Maple is already inside and looking very sassy in some flared pantaloons, deciding when she’ll come onstage during the What So Not set. She’s planning on belting out some live vocals during ‘Gemini’, which will be very pleasant on the earholes.
Emoh staring into the comforting glow of a laptop screen, making some last minute touch-ups on the Mac before showtime.
We head upstairs to find Triple J lady KLP, who will also be performing some live vocals for the WSN banger ‘Jaguar’. Emoh is pulling out all the big surprises on this tour, what will he do next? Only time will tell. Shouts to the hybrid emoji on the laptop, stay shinin’.
If you’re not wearing a bomber jacket while holding a tray of triangular sandwiches in 2015, you fucking fell off. #SANDWICHSWAG
We head into the crowd to meet up with some old mates, but as soon as Emoh opens the door from backstage he is bombarded with fans wanting photos and telling him “I’ve loved you the longest since you played that Major Lazer remix like 2 years ago.” We can’t really blame them, that remix is pretty huge. Salute to Jillionaire’s hairdo and Major Lazer.
After spending a solid 45 minutes with fans, it’s time to get in the zone before the show – which means laying on a couch with shoes on. This is what freedom feels like.
Emoh with the new visuals he debuted at this semi-important festival called Coachella, including a backdrop that looks like the artwork from that last Jamie XX album which had the really cool Young Thug & Popcaan song on it. These visuals will make you feel like you’ve done a bunch of high-quality psychedelics that you haven’t paid for with a gypsy you met on the way to Splendour In The Grass. P.S. Drugs are bad.
KLP getting the crowd super turnt up during the finale. It’s pretty crazy to think that we’ll be doing this all again tomorrow night, but hey, you’ve got to please the fans.
“One high-five for you!”
The next morning, we pick up Emoh from Bondi to go and find some waves. He has a quick look at the photos from the night before, and posts one on his Instagram. He makes sure to tag the photographer (@jackbennett92 @lifewithoutandy), which he has always done so therefore we still like him (@whatsonot_certified).
Tamarama is looking so fucking beautiful that we’re almost shedding tears. It’s time to get changed and get our toes wet.
Wetsuit Emoh posing with the world famous, highly coveted Life Without Andy cap. Grab yourself one right here for the unbelievably low price of $10. What a bargain! #SUBTLEPLUG
#BAYWATCHSTYLES
Shortly after this photo was taken, Emoh did a backflip. No bullshit.
HOW INCREDIBLY EXCITED CAN YOU GET ABOUT A LOW CARB SUPER BUN? DO YOU SEE HOW BIG EMOH’S GRIN IS RIGHT NOW? SHOUTOUT TO GRILL’D FOR BEING DELICIOUS AND ALSO LOOKING AFTER OUR HEALTH. #CLEANEATING #SUMMERRIG
Emoh checking up on that Instagram account. In case you missed it before, find him at: @whatsonot_certified @whatsonot_certified @whatsonot_certified.
We head to the new VOT Clothing space on Crown St to check out some of their latest threads. The patch game is strong on this one. Go pay VOT a visit – they share a space with Vintage Storeroom, provide some good banter and even if you don’t buy anything, you can console yourself by eating a burrito with extra guacamole at Mad Mex next door.
A few hours later, and we’re back at Max Watt’s for Round 2. Some handsome/beautiful fans win a meet and greet with the man himself, and are all smiles.
Emoh and the Sydney dance legend himself, Beni – who is throwing up unidentified gang signs for some reason. Find Beni playing every Wednesday night at El Topo in Bondi, and ask him about that time Trinidad James rolled through. He also might drop a Chris Brown track if you’re lucky.
Showtime. We thought it wouldn’t be humanly possible to get sweatier than last night, but this is proving to be a big, bass-filled sauna.
Pledge allegiance to the flag of What So Not.
The best seat in the house is reserved for Emoh’s old man, who became somewhat of an Internet sensation after he crowd surfed during a What So Not set at Groovin’ The Moo some time ago. In an exclusive quote about the incident, he says “that was good fun but never crowd surf face down.” An absolute gem of wisdom that all punters should abide by.
We hit the afterparty at the Inner-West’s most raging soiree, Meanwhile, where Emoh again keeps it in the family by performing a very rare B2B set with his actual brother. Legends. Shouts to Emoh, and get gully to What So Not when he performs at Stereosonic. Bring a good attitude and no shirt.
