Sydney based hip hop duo Mind Over Matter have released the long-awaited, energetic first single “Real Life” from their third and highly anticipated upcoming album “This Way to Elsewhere”. Mixed by Grammy Award winning engineer Craig Bauer (Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco) the song signals a new direction for the group, drawing from indie-pop with rustic Motown influences. The catchy guitar riffs and honeyed vocals are a testament to Mind Over Matter’s versatility and ability to seamlessly glide between genre, however the track stays true to the veteran outfit’s grassroots vibe with features from a children’s choir and wordplay that flawlessly captures the everyday.

Written in Salamander Bay and finalised in Chicago, the project was a collaborative process from day one, calling on the talents of renowned hit maker Matik (Seth Sentry, Drapht, Pez) and singer/ songwriter Jon Reichhardt – as well as an exciting new voice in female vocalist K.I.K.I.

Mind Over Matter will tour the single nationally starting April, alongside fellow I Forget, Sorry! member and double Hottest 100 debutante Chance Waters on his Infinity Album Tour.

What’s your earliest memory of performing and who inspired you to start?

My first experience on stage was at a community event called Shore Shocked. I was 15 and put so much pressure on myself that I froze up on stage after my first two lines, kind of 8 mile-esk. It was terrible at the time but once I got over it Willow and I won a battle of the bands competition during my second attempt. Willow being related to Eso, Bliss n Eso inspired us to start.

You must answer this question honestly. What and where was the first gig you went to?

Willow and I went to see The Roots and Jurassic 5 at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney when we were 16.

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What has been the best/most inspiring gig that you’ve ever been to?

The best show I’ve been to would be a tie between Lupe Fiasco a few years ago and Kendrick Lamar just recently however watching Brother Ali at The Gaelic Club hold a stage down on his own and have the crowd hanging off his every word was the most inspiring show I’ve been to.

‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?

Okay! I nicked the Vega Boys album from Mum. I’m not proud of it but there is no denying that even if 99% of you hates their music that the 1% of you that does will be dancing inside!

What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now?

I have Big Boi’s latest album and Chet Faker’s EP on repeat!

Where do you go to find new music?

Pretty much 3 people keep me in the loop and they are Eso, Poncho, and Emily. 3 people who are very close to me and let me know about all the gems that come across their desk. Shouts to them!

What provoked you to film the ‘Real Life’ series?

We wanted something that would drum up a bit of interest and anticipation for Real Life and we always have a lot to talk about so we figured it would work well.

You’ve toured with Chance Waters before, but why do you think this one will be the best yet?

Chance had such an incredible and successful year last year with his music and we’re stoked with the recent response we’ve had personally through radio and the public for Real Life, so fingers crossed the combination of those will make for a few sold out rooms as opposed to us all playing our hearts out to the bar staff like we’ve had for so many years of our careers.

If you could curate your own festival, where would it be, who would be on the bill, how many people would you let in and what features would it have?

Wow what a question! I’d have probably Eminem, Jay Z, Kendrick, Nas, Talib, Lupe, Wu Tang, Rise, Atmosphere, Brother Ali, plus a heap more of my favourite US hip hop acts mixed in with some of my favourite Oz hip hop acts such as Drapht, Bliss n Eso, Pez, Chance Waters, 360, Seth Sentry and I would get OUTKAST to headline! It would definitely have one of those ‘how had can you hit this panel with a large hammer’ attractions so heaps of tough guys can fail at impressing girls by trying to exert their strength and, in turn, hopefully learn the lesson that beauty is on the inside. The festival would be in Sydney as I imagine organising a flight for myself anywhere else may be the straw that broke the camel’s back after pulling off organising this festival.

Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Would it be another hip-hop artist or would you like to branch out?

Probably Seth Sentry currently, I think he’s too damn talented. Non hip hop it would definitely be Chet Faker!

What is Mind Over Matters music the best soundtrack for?

It’s probably the best soundtrack for Godzilla if they were to ever remake it. Puff Daddy did well with his song on that but I feel it was more Giant Squid than Godzilla. Failing Godzilla any movie with Denzel in it we’d be perfect for, just because Denzel’s the man and we’re best friends, he just doesn’t know it yet.

Where we can see you play next, what releases do you have available and where can we get them? 

We’re travelling around the country with Chance Waters throughout April, May and June so visit: www.mindovermattercrew.com for all the tour dates. I’d recommend people jump on iTunes and grab our new single Real Life. Also available on there are our albums Just Like Fireworks and Keepin’ It Breezy. If they’re after hard copies of these they can grab them from JB Hi Fi or else order them online through the link above and have them posted to their door.

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