Lots of news coming out of the Channel Tres camp today.

Set to make his Splendour debut this July, Channel Tres has today announced two sideshows at iconic Sydney and Melbourne venues, The Lansdowne and The Espy, respectively. Along with the sideshows, Channel Tres also returns with a brand new single ‘Sexy Black Timberlake’ and news of an EP, BLACK MOSES, out 2 August via Godmode. 

We caught up with Channel Tres amidst his busy European tour schedule to get the rundown on all the news. Check out the video for ‘Sexy Black Timberlake’ below, and keep scrolling for our chat with the talented Compton hip hop/house hero. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrGmm2jRCPs

Where are you right now?

Nymes, France. We’re playing the first show tonight.

Super exciting. And after that European stint you’ll be back in Aus. We just got word that you’ll be doing Splendour sideshows in Sydney and Melbourne. Are you excited to be coming back here as well?

Of course! I’m really looking forward to just being there, seeing more and also reconnecting with people I met. And the shows, I can’t wait for those. Last time the shows were big and everyone was just there to have a good time, so I’m really looking forward to that too.

Is it true you’d only played a handful of live shows before that tour last year?

Kind of. I played one show in London before that.

Woah. What can fans look forward to about your live show?

New music, good energy and I’ve got a lot better since last year. At first crowds can be kind or intimidating but I’m being braver now, taking more risks, more chances and I’m just generally better.

Are there any other artists on the Splendour lineup that you’re excited to see?

Childish Gambino, I haven’t seen him since I was in college. And Chance the Rapper. I’m really excited to just be out there in the crowd though. I’m going to be like everyone, enjoying the festival.

Are you across the local hip hop scene here at all?

I know about Kwame, he’s dope. I know some others too. Hopefully at Splendour I’ll see more and learn more.

This only just got announced in Australia and I don’t know if they have anything like this overseas already but Tinder just announced that they’re introducing a festival mode and that it’s actually debuting at Splendour in the Grass. What do you make of that?

[Laughs] Wait what? I don’t use it so I don’t know. I have friends that do and I get how meeting people there to go to the show with could be a move. Man, I don’t know though.

You’ve got a pretty unique sound, especially when you think of other artists from Compton that are making waves right now and what they sound like. How would you describe your sound?

Do you know what gumbo is? I would describe my sound as a pot of gumbo. A whole lot of different elements in there that make it good in different ways.

Where is the perfect place to listen to a Channel Tres song?

It’s different for every song. ‘Topdown’ is for like, leaving the party and you’re just cruising home, you know? And some of my other stuff is for like in the morning, going to the gym vibes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pReEUxHxJM

Along with the Splendour sideshow announcement. We’re also excited about your brand new single ‘Sexy Black Timberlake’. How did you land on that title and what’s this track about?

So the title is obviously a play on words, it’s a line in the song that I really liked. The song is about how society still tends to view black men as either violent threats or sex objects, and its about reclaiming that sexiness.

I love the West-Coast feel to it, that Dr Dre synth.

Man, I was listening to The Chronic when we made it.

And it’s the latest single from your forthcoming EP Black Moses, right? What’s that sounding like?

So like I said, it’s a bit of everything but throughout I’m using my voice more and I’m showing my personality more. I’ll be telling more stories and sharing more of myself.

That point about personality is interesting. What kind of kid were you? What were you into?

I was a church kid. Super regular really, I was skating and stuff but I was just really into music and playing drums.

Did you try Vegemite last time you were here? I spoke to your boy DUCKWRTH not too long ago and he had a really bad first experience with it. 

No, where’s that? Wait, try it? What’s that?

Well it’s a national treasure. It’s a like a spread though, it goes on sandwiches and toast. I would say if you’re open to trying Vegemite, get an Aussie to hook it up, and make sure that’s an Aussie you trust. You know what I’m saying?

Word. I did find out that drop bears weren’t real though.

Were you upset or was that a relief?

I wasn’t upset but I couldn’t believe that all the pictures and stuff were photoshopped. Like no one has ever seen one, right?

Fake news. Did anything else about Australia surprise you in that way?

Man, just the animals. In America we have this idea that there are kangaroos and stuff everywhere but everywhere I was I just saw really beautiful cities.

Here’s hoping Channel Tres checks native wildlife off his Aussie to-do list this time around. Tickets to his Sydney and Melbourne sideshows go on sale next Thursday, 13 June. Get all your event info via the link.