Words by Amar Gera

Talk about multi-talented… 

You’ve probably heard of Tora a bunch this past year. Fresh off the back of their album ‘Can’t Buy The Mood’, the boys from Byron have been tearing up the Australian tour circuit, playing shows everywhere from a hometown gig at the Northern, to Sydney’s historic Lansdowne Hotel. They’ve played a host of overseas shows too, doing the rounds in Europe and spreading their brand of electronic music to far-reaching corners of the globe. A much beloved band, there’s also plenty to love about vocalist and guitarist Jai Piccone, who as well as being a vital cog in the Tora machine has a tendency to set hearts racing with his solo work, too. Blending organic production and gorgeous melancholic vocals, his new single ‘Warning Shot’ is perfect for those late night drives to the beach.

As if he isn’t busy enough making his mark on the house genre, he’s also got a mad modelling career, gracing catwalks all around the world for brands like Gucci, Prada and Hermes. Believe it or not, we managed to pin down the busy Byron Bay muso for a quick chat. Read on for our interview with one of Australia’s most exciting musical talents below.

Congrats on your new release, ‘Warning Shot’. It’s an absolute beauty. How does it feel now that it’s out there in the world? 

It feels great to have new material out again. It’s been over a year since I released the Mover EP and I was certainly itching to get something out. The response has been huge for me and I’m pretty thrilled.

You’ve put out a handful solo songs now. Have you always made your own music or is this a relatively new thing? 

I’ve always dabbled but I think it started to become more serious around 2016 when I really started digging into production personally. When we [Tora] got back from an extensive touring period in the US, EU, UK and MEX I started following the house and techno scene hugely, collecting records, DJing and writing in a more dance orientated manner. This then further reinforced my desire to write on my own, as well as in Tora, and other projects.

Is there a story behind the name of the track? Tell us about the thought that went into ‘Warning Shot’.

This track is a story I created that’s somewhat fictitious but certainly is inspired by personal feelings. It’s essentially outlining a story in which two individuals stop valuing each other somewhat spontaneously. This then spirals into a whole world of events and feelings for the protagonist and ‘Warning Shot’ is essentially an analogy for the premonition the character feels prior to the main events kicking off.

How would you describe ‘Warning Shot’ and the other solo music you’ve been working on? 

My desire is always to create what makes me excited. This track is just another rendition of that chase. As I’ve got older, excitement has become more and more fleeting and I have to put more energy into finding it. While this track is somewhat simpler than my previous releases from a production standpoint, I felt paying more attention to lyrics, vocal melody and structure would give me that feeling. I wanted to do what I usually do with the sound but then focus a little more on things that I usually ignore, which are generally the things that give the track commercial viability. I’m not entirely sure if I achieved any kind of commercial viability, but it excites me to pursue it from a house/electronic angle.

The track has some really beautiful organic production and samples some of your own vocals, what was the process behind that? 

I actually started this track in Milan in my hotel with just my headphones and laptop. I remember it had a Pharell sample in it for a long time. I think it made me realise I wanted to try this one with more vocals. So eventually months later I pulled it apart, began to restructure it and add vocals. It took a while to get it finished. Much of the sampling is sounds recorded on a zoom whilst moving around. There’s some train station samples, some of the percussive layers are also field recording sounds, but this track actually has a lot less field recording than my previous EP.

How has being from Byron influenced Tora’s or your own sound? It seems like a place that just oozes with creativity. 

I don’t really know how to answer this question. There’s no denying there’s an incredible amount of flourishing and successful creatives here but I don’t personally find it to be a place that’s particularly inspiring at this point in my life, and that’s not to say it hasn’t been previously. That said, I think what is inspiring about Byron is the incredible people that are coming in and out all the time. That’s just it though, Byron Bay is a transient place, most people don’t stick around for long, especially many of the people I grew up with. I think that’s because after about a month or two you need something different. Of course though, beaches, good food, quiet, lots of space and friendly people are all things I appreciate Byron for.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU5lMRRUu3w&list=PL8xFaGpTiYPrE6Mv1qohPs8QTTAIU_gsm

Tora’s been absolutely killing it this year releasing Can’t Buy The Mood and playing heaps of shows. Are you at all surprised by the year gone by? Have you had a chance to take in the moment or are you constantly on the go? 

I think I need to take a day soon to reflect on everything, there’s definitely ebbs and flows in the busy times but I haven’t reflected that much on everything this year. It’s definitely been amazing but I think next year will be even better. Much of the travelling I’ve has been for work. I think I’d like to do some more for leisure next year.

How do you even find time to work on your own stuff between being in Tora and modelling for brands like Gucci, Prada and Hermes? 

There’s a lot of time in a day and lots more in a year and I’m certainly no prime example of productivity – so lots can be done. That said, I think when you get into a flow of ambition and accomplishing small goals it becomes fuel and momentum to go after the more daunting stuff. I like dreaming big but starting small.

What’s it like modelling for those companies around the world?

It’s very different to music work but has some of the same nuances. I think it’s amazing to be a part of other people’s creative vision instead of executing it yourself. It’s a nice way to let off some of the usual creative pressure but get inspired at the same time. Though I do think modelling is too high stress for many of us and is a difficult industry to make sure you’re not taken advantage of. That said, I’m endlessly appreciative of it and will continue in it for a while to come, I just hope that the industry finds its way into better practice in the near future.

They’re obviously some pretty high end brands but I can’t imagine you started at the top. Do any stories from your early modelling days spring to mind? What has surprised you about working in that industry? 

I got really lucky with it, I started with an exclusive show for Saint Laurent in LA which was Hedi Slimane’s last collection with the fashion house. From there it just quickly spiralled but I wasn’t always able to take full advantage of the position due to my primary commitment to music. I missed seasons here and there but it’s still gone really well and I’m endlessly grateful. I think many people have a misconception of the people in the industry, almost every model and creative I’ve met is outwardly lovely, so I think some people would be surprised to hear that.

You’ve travelled all over the world with music and modelling, is there any place that’s really stuck with you? Why? 

Tokyo is my favourite, I’ve done three different trips of two month stints there living and working in music/fashion and it’s definitely my number one so far for short-medium stays. It’s just endless. Anything you want, Tokyo’s got it, and everything is done incredibly well. That said, I don’t think I would live there for the long term, maybe if I was to live somewhere out of the big city but still in Japan.

Going forward what can we expect from Jai Piccone the solo artist and with Tora?

I’m hoping to have a larger body of work in the new year at some point which I’m really excited to finish off. Hopefully I’ll be DJing a lot more next year and making a move to Europe with the Tora guys. Tora has a lot of new music in the works and it’s looking like next year will be the biggest for me yet and I’m excited to see what it brings.

I’m also excited for my solo shows over December! Hopefully doing fashion week which kicks off first thing next month, Tora shows around the globe from the end of Jan and then the move to Europe next year! Things are gonna be busy!

The Byron Bay singer/ songwriter/ producer/ model/ all around weapon has been touring around Australia with Roland Tings this month. To grab tickets to the Newcastle or Sydney legs this weekend, head here.