A Quick Chat With Douzey
Melbourne’s Douzey (pronounced Doo-zee) is absolutely endearing with her tales of everyday things from hummus to crappy housemates. The indie pop artist has just released her new single ‘Pavement’ and announced the release of her new EP ‘Discard’, set to release on Friday, March 22. ‘Pavement’, a song about vain corporate businessmen, is both sassy and playful. We caught up with her to find out more about the track, her creative outlets and more.
Can you tell us what this track means to you and what you want people to take away from it?
Pavement is scathing, sarcastic and the most fun song to play on stage. It's straight up pop-punk. I love that it came out of situation where some silly men made me feel bad about myself and I've completely reclaimed the situation to realise they are just boring people that know nuddah. And what do I hope people take away from it? I guess I hope they sing along and belt out the WOAH's with the track.
Who are some of your influences and why?
Often I will ask myself 'What would Janelle Monae do?' I honestly think she is one of the most amazing creatives living today. Her albums are stories with theatrical elements and they are so perfectly curated, I really hope to see her perform live one day. Likewise, I also dream of writing an album that is a fully contained story. My Chemical Romance is another that comes to mind, they have story albums with entire theatrical elements woven into the songs themselves and the videos and merchandise they produce. Lily Allen would be another, Alright Still was the first album I ever bought with my own money from Sanity. Her ability to toe the line of being cutthroat, sarcastic yet still gorgeous and feminine is so badass.
What's the creative process for you, from writing through to recording?
Pure chaos, it's just write, write, write, phone notes, phone recordings, send to friends or pitch to my mentor, we demo it out, then wait until I save enough money to get in the studio. I would say my method is very much like cooking spaghetti, I'll keep throwing ideas at the wall until its ready and it sticks.
What do you think makes a great song?
A great story! Jolene and Bohemian Rhapsody they are bops because they are telling a story. Don't get me wrong, songs with no lyrics also tell stories too Vivaldi's Four Seasons for example.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
This is an impossible question! I will say Paramore as they were my first love as a teen, I snuck out from school to see them at Soundwave in year 7.
When not working on music, what other creative outlet/s do you have?
I do knitting and crochet with my grandma. I've just finished a dinosaur jumper for my niece and I'm currently working on a blanky (which was supposed to be a Christmas present). I also write stories and love crafting in general.
Who are some local bands we should check out?
VWLS are amazing, their song writing is great. Also The Miffs are a rad group, I am so obsessed with their whole vibe.
I also went in blind to see a gig at the Night Cat with Private Function and Dr Sures Unusual Practice and it was so much fun, full of energy and just altogether straight-up punk!
Winter or summer and why?
Winter baby, most of the activities I like to do are indoors, plus knitted blankets are the best to snuggle up with on a cold day with hot chocolate.
I also think I am scarred for life from my competitive cheerleading days and training and getting thrown around in a warehouse in 30+ heat over the summer was hectic.
What else do you have planned for 2024?
My resolution this year is 'unapologetic creation', so I'm writing and producing a lot of creative things which I have been sitting on for years because my anxiety has just held me back. I've just started a podcast called Sound Quality where we talk about our favourite Australian songs and how they have influenced us and how they influence our Australian culture. I would love to finish and produce more songs and gig anywhere and everywhere around Australia with my wonderful band. All in between this I'm finishing my Masters in International Development, and I hope to finish knitting this stupidly massive blanket.
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