Malachai Interview: SXSW 2010

Malachai are a duo who throw everything into the mix: Cut and paste samples, late seventies kitsch, acid rock, psych ... the list goes on and on. When the Bristol two-piece blend these often obscure influences together, the tracks somehow seem to work organically, whilst also betraying their constructed nature. But while this eclectic range of influences might seem to jar on paper, in practice, they meld perfectly with a heart on pure pop pumping deep beneath the maelstrom of genres. Spinner spoke to members Scott and G before they headed out to the Lone Star state for SXSW.

Describe your sound.

Scott: Heavy psychpophop.

G: Mine. His. Ours.

How did the band get together?

G: Bus.

Scott: I asked Gee to rhyme on some of my tracks, when he was an MC in 2005. He did an amazing chorus on which he harmonised with himself. We then decided that it might be a good idea to just go for Gee singing rather than 'spitting'. Then, over the course of time of organically writing and recording, this eventually blossomed into what is now Malachai.

What are your musical influences?

G: Wide.

Scott: Lots and lots of influences. But here are three for the time being - Brian Wilson, Madlib and Lee Perry.

How did you come up with your name?

Scott: Gee came up with it – he can tell you that.

G: Thought.

What's your biggest vice?

G: VICE.

Scott: Brown ale and Bristol City.

What's in your festival survival kit?

G: A festival survival kit.

Scott: Not going, or getting in and then straight out!

Who was your first celeb crush?

Scott: Kate Bush.

G: Fozzie Bear.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

Scott: The Everly Brothers.

G: Nosebleed folk.

Beatles or Stones?

G: The Bones.

Scott: The Beatles.

What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while on tour?

Scott: Gee in the morning...

G: Me.