NZ On Air Music‘s NewTracks December compilation includes quirky indie pop song Psycho by Dunedin’s Damin McCabe, aka Jack Berry. Of all places to start a musical career, Damin performed in front of people for the first time at OUSA‘s Battle Of The Bands in 2017. Despite using autotune as back up for potentially bad singing he won the whole thing that year, and has come a long way since. This latest single is a collaboration with Leisure‘s Djeisan Suskov.
Damin McCabe. I play the guitar, bass, and a wee bit of drums and keys.
This is my first proper project, aside from bands in high school.
I think the freedom from music teachers at school allowed me to figure out how to do things myself, especially in terms of instruments.
I was writing a few songs throughout high school on my guitar, but it wasn’t until I started producing for other people that I thought about translating my own songs through production.
I think the timing was a big thing behind putting it out, and having Djeisan Suskov co-writing and co-producing with me was amazing!
It came about during a writing session with Djeisan and, I guess, lyrically it deals with feeling frustrated in a situation where you view yourself as the victim too often.
The drum / bass groove for sure!
It was written, recorded and produced with Djeisan Suskov at Saiko Studios – it was our first time working together. We were listening to punk and hardcore before we started writing to try and get some inspiration, and ended up with something sounding completely different!
Anything they want!
It depends on what I have on my laptop at the time. I’m always trying to make at least a few songs or beats every day, and sometimes the odd one sticks and I put it out! For Psycho it was my first collaborative song, and I thought it sounded great so I put it out!
I do some production work for other artists, mostly the ones on my label Garbage Records. Those include Wax Mustang & Hot Laps. I also play guitar in the band Three Quarter Marathon and play bass live for Nic & Reuben!
Wax Mustang – Bones
Daffodils – Boys
Soaked Oats – Driftworld
This was my first time applying for NewTracks! If you’ve got something you think is great, give it a go!
I find myself listening to a lot of Joe Rogan, and Pitchfork pops up quite a lot on Facebook!
Thanks, NZ Musician!!