Boxx Moxi Song Of Joan Interview

Boxx Moxi Song Of Joan Interview

Psych-rock outfit, Boss Moxi are band synonymous in the Brisbane live scene, having spread their sound across countless venues, dingy alleyways and warehouses. From garage-rock beginnings the band ripened their sound whilst recording debut EP, Your Mouth, which harmoniously dissolves elements of jazz into Neverland embodies Boss Moxi's signature sound with the saxophone adding a psych-rock foundations. Released in 2011, lead single Caught up in unique brass stamp that defines their live show.

After releasing second single Home in 2013, the past 5 years have seen Boss Moxi tour relentlessly whilst continuously writing and evolving their sound. Having recorded their debut album at Bedlam Records Studios earlier this year, the band is ready to share the first fruits of their labour with latest single Song Of Joan, which displays Boss Moxi's imaginative art of story telling. Written from a fantastical perspective of a young David Bowie, the song explores a crux in Bowie's life spurred by a fictional character named -Joan', which sets him on the trajectory that leads him to become the outlandish and controversial icon that he is today.

Song Of Joan elevates Boss Moxi's jazz-infused foundations by introducing seductive Flamenco undertones that provides an exciting taste of what's to come with their debut album due for release next year.

Armed with a myriad of new material Boss Moxi are hitting the road later this month for the 'Song Of Joan' east coast single tour: 23rd October | Sydney | The Roller Den
25th October | Melbourne | B.East with The Strange
24th October | Sydney | Egg Records
29th October | Melbourne | Bar Open with Pinball Machine +
30th October | Melbourne | The Public Bar with Fierce Mild + Romeo Moon
1st October | Brisbane | Deadlam/Serafani Chains
1st November | Byron Bay | The Great Northern
22nd November | Lake Moogerah | Jungle Love Festival
27th November | Brisbane | The Zoo with Twin Haus + Inigo

Interview with Brayden Doig (Frontman, Rhythm Guitarist)

Question: How would you describe your music?

Brayden Doig: It's like the best over-the-pants squeeze-job you've ever had.


Question: What was the main inspiration behind Song Of Joan?

Brayden Doig: The song wrote itself. I can't remember the particular session when we wrote it. The lyrics are definitely inspired by David Bowie. It was written from the perspective of a hypothetical character. Bowie was the character I chose to embody and modify. For some reason he suited the song.


Question: Can you tell us about filming the video for Song Of Joan?

Brayden Doig: DIY. Despite the weather being terrible on the day, and apart from the $60 flares, some disposable ponchos and the totally unnecessary purchase of a fold-out gazebo, we pulled it off. After scouting the location the night before, we drove out a long, dead-end road in Bellbowrie, about 10 of us in total. We ran a few practice takes before it was go time. Old mate Harry Friend behind the camera was sitting on the bonnet of Dan our bass player's Nissan Pulsar and director Duncan Wilson yelling cues from the driver seat, whilst the song was blasting out of the car stereo system. It was all done and dusted in two takes, but was a solid 700m run each time so it was also the most exercise I'd done in years.


Question: What should we expect from your upcoming tour?

Brayden Doig: We're putting everything into this tour. Last year Melbourne seemed to go really well so this time we're playing three shows in the week, B.East, Bar Open and The Public Bar. Captain Cook Hotel and the awesome Brighton Up Bar in Sydney before that, then back home in time for Bedlam Records, Deadlam Halloween Party and of course, Jungle Love Festival in late November. We're touring the single but we'll be playing the majority of our debut album live with covers, visuals and loads of energy for everyone.


Question: How does it feel to be described as 'a young David Bowie"?

Brayden Doig: Weird and a bit ridiculous. The connection to David Bowie is in the lyrics – and the concept behind the song. I enjoy David Bowie way too much – definitely not prepared to take on such an intense role. There's a bunch of groups in Australia trying to impersonate lords from the past, if someone was actually going as far to impersonate David Bowie properly, right now, they'd being having a lot of fun.


Question: Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry?

Brayden Doig: To be honest, we've just kind of done our own thing. If people from the industry are into it that's cool, but any pre-conceived notions about what to do or not to do don't factor into anything we do.

Question: Do you write your own songs? What's your inspiration?

Brayden Doig: Everything we write is our own. We're not writing pop music so we have the luxury, in a sense, to write what we like. The inspiration is hard to pin point these days – when we were younger and influenced more by that filter of not knowing anything it was easier. We all listen to different music – I think this is maybe the influence, a kind of, fitting mix of different styles.


Question: What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?

Brayden Doig: I don't listen to much – I've been booking supports for the tour so a shit load of new Australian rock. 'Wander' an album by Melbourne outfit Romeo Moon. They're supporting us at The Public Bar on the 30th, give that album a listen, it's insane and come along the show.


Question: What's next? Tour/Album/Single?

Brayden Doig: After we return from touring we're to spend November doing final touches to our debut album set to be release early next year. Sending everything off to mastering, artwork, printing, merchandise there's heaps to do. We'll hopefully drop another single at the end of November and have pre-orders for the album sorted by Christmas.


Question: Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?

Brayden Doig: Not really. We've gone some 5 months without catching up or practicing before but never thought of giving up. At the end of the day, we all have our own means of income and we've never believed in the false hope of the making the first years of a band fully sustainable. Over the last 5 years Boss Moxi has taught me a lot of what I know – and that's mainly from just toughing it out.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Brayden Doig: Playing Live has always been our thing. Only up until recently have we found the right man to turn our live written and performed songs into accurate recordings. It's literally been our challenge the last 5 years : capturing the live energy in our music, Steve Kempnich who's producing the entire album just knows how to do it, you can hear it in 'Song of Joan' especially.

Question: What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Brayden Doig: Being 17, looking and dressing like a complete idiot, idolising some dude who let you take footage of his bands show at some venue you shouldn't be in. Last Dinosaurs, The Cairos, Comic Sans, Mercy Arms - I'm not sure who but I think it was more the idea of having the same kind of fun these somewhat regular people were having. Of course everyone's pretty blissfully blind when they're young.


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Brayden Doig: I wouldn't deem what we do and the music we play as successful just yet. Challenges are all apart of deserving success. Remaining Independent and having to cover all that's needed in operating a band may be the hardest part. Doing it yourself, especially with your first band I think is totally essential though, where everything new to you is a challenge. You learn.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Brayden Doig: In the band? Pretty regular, we walk, talk shit and enjoy succulent meals together. Otherwise we're just jamming.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Brayden Doig: I think if your favourite part of being a musical artist wasn't playing and writing your own music you might be doing the wrong thing.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Brayden Doig: So many people. We don't write types and kinds of songs. Infusing some hip hop could be cool, maybe collaborate with an orchestra of some kind? I'd love to make music with Wayne Coyne and the Flaming Lips, that will happen.


Question: Do you have a website fans can visit?

Brayden Doig: www.bossmoxi.com
Our latest single, tour dates, posters, music videos and everything else can be found there. Or head to the facebook – facebook.com/bossmoxi


Question: What message would you like your music to say to your fans?

Brayden Doig: 'Song of Joan' is basically is saying - 'Do whatever the f*&k you want as long as you're good at it – be the best at it.' Straight forward enough.


Interview by Brooke Hunter