Words by Amar Gera //

Moonbase isn’t going anywhere…

Perhaps best known for his 2017 hip hop smash with US Singer/ rapper Anderson.Paak ‘It Don’t Matter’, Sydney future bass experimentalist Moonbase (formerly Moonbase Commander) is back. After being forced to go on hiatus in 2018 due to a brain tumour, he’s returned in full force. Hot off a crazy creative streak, he’s already released EP’s Avalanche and Commander 1 earlier this year. He’s now gearing up to release his upcoming EP Heathen with 21-year-old Florida rapper Chester Watson.

Lead single ‘Heatheness’ features a more minimalist vibe as Moonbase crafts an intricate hip hop gem reminiscent of artists like Madlib and J Dilla, whilst maintaining his signature sound on the track. Watson also delivers on the record, coming through with the hard-hitting bars and impeccable flow that have earned him praise early in his career. Finding the initial takes on an old hard drive a year after going on hiatus, ‘Heatheness’ was the spark that inspired the Sydney producer and Florida MC to finish the project off.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2PS6rEFl2U

Committing to release one track per week in the lead up to the EP, having already released ‘Different Planet’ and ‘Night Rehearsal’, Moonbase has proven he has no intention of slowing down. It’s this intense work ethic that has scored him placements on Spotify’s ‘Night Shift’, as well as earning him spins across Triple J, FBi Radio and Radio Adelaide. He’s also the head of his own label imprint TRENCH records, which has produced EP’s like Central Coast producer Jantoje’s Found, as well as Indigenous vocalist Val Flynn’s Cocky.

Be sure to check out Heathen when it drops this Friday and have a look at our interview with one of Sydney’s most hard-working and resilient producers below:

How does it feel to be back after your hiatus?

It feels really good. Even though my hiatus from music was unexpected, I try to take as many positives as I can from what happened. I’m focusing a lot more on my mental and physical health now, which I think has had a positive effect on my music.

How did it feel when you found the initial takes of ‘Heatheness’ sitting on that old hard drive after all that time?

It was fucking cool. I’m glad that Chester and I could work on a few more tracks since then and flesh it out for a proper release.

What makes Heathen different from your past releases?

These tracks take a more minimal approach and slower pace compared to my past releases. I really enjoyed switching things up and exploring this sound.

You said you were trying to create something ‘sonically heaving yet silken, like smoke hanging in a dark room’ when making ‘Heatheness’, do you always have a specific vision like that for your tracks?

Yeah, that was definitely the vibe when I was making the Heathen beats. Usually, these concepts come to life while I’m in the process of making the tracks, not before.
Then with Chester’s vocals, he was the missing piece and perfect for the sound I was going for.

What made you want to initially work with Chester Watson? What do you think he brings to the track?

I had a few beats locked away in the vault that I knew would be perfect for a specific type of vocal. Chester’s flow is impeccable so I wanted to create beats that really showcased what he could do.

You’ve collaborated with heaps of artists over the years like Anderson.Paak, Miss Blanks and Maxsta. How do you tend to collaborate with artists? Is there a certain method or approach you tend to follow?

Each collaborative process is different, depending on how the artist works. I’ve learnt to love the process of discovering how to get the best work from rappers. Diving into the unknown is where you’ll find the most interesting art.

Do you think your health struggles over the past year have influenced your production style or approach to music in any way?

Most definitely. It’s difficult to have a near-death experience and not have it affect your art in some way, shape or form. As I said earlier, the past year has been brutal but I gained a lot of positives out of the experience.

What’s the plan going forward for Moonbase?

The plan is simply to keep moving forward! I’m excited to be collaborating with more artists and see how my style continues to evolve over my next few releases.