Pez

Shaped and moulded by Melbourne’s colourful eastern suburbs, Pez spent the majority of his earlier musical attention based around his parents’ insatiable passion for rock n roll, namely The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

It wasn’t until the tender teenage years that the aspiring MC adopted the hip hop culture and began writing his way, verse by verse, into a scene beginning to find its feet.

Since the release of his debut album, A Mind Of My Own, in 2008, Pez has experienced his fair share of ups and downs.

After the decay of adrenaline that eventuated after his breakthrough year, featuring the release of everyone’s favourite summer anthem ‘The Festival Song’, a major health scare confined the all-conquering artist to a period of seclusion, leaving fans to patiently await his recovery.

Outlining the period in between his hectic debut release and now, the lyricist opened up about the timeline which kept both his fans and himself in limbo.

“When A Mind Of My Own came out it was pretty crazy; kinda like a rollercoaster. ‘(The) Festival Song’ went pretty big but it was also pretty overwhelming,” he begins. “Then towards the end of that I got pretty sick and got pretty unwell.”

It was during this period the emcee came to terms with the reality of taking an extended break from the scene. The health concerns began to shift his priorities. “I went about 2 years without writing. People were wondering where my new album was and I was like, ‘man I haven’t even written a song.’”

“The health issues made me stop for a while. The partying and carrying on; I knew I had to take a step back and get my life in order.”

However, many were unaware of the circumstances keeping the newest hip hop identity at bay, in terms of writing new material.

“I went about 2 years without writing. People were wondering where my new album was and I was like, ‘man I haven’t even written a song.’”

Lucky enough, his latest instalment, ‘The Game’, has swept a newly-generatedresurgence in interest surrounding the dormant rhymer, with an album in the works as we speak.

This time around, Pez is looking to put himself out to his followers, giving them an inside story into his journey so far. “The first album was kinda looking out of the world; this one is probably more of a personal album,” he explains.

Drawing from experiences during his tough bout with illness, the goal is to connect with fans on a new, uncensored level.

“I think this time, after that break when I was in a pretty bad place, there might be some different, uncomfortable themes.”

As well as opening the door on his setbacks, his upcoming release is set to focus on personal growth, and that of his hip hop identity. “I’m hoping to show a lot of evolution in the sound and everything and hopefully people get to know me a bit better.”

Those following the movements of the determined artist would’ve noticed the string of underage performances popping up on his busy schedule. Pez has leapt at the chance to connect with audiences of the younger age, to their excessive delight.

And his thoughts on playing to younger crowds? “It’s awesome” he mentions enthusiastically.

“Kids just have so much excitement and energy, it’s really a different vibe. I guess as people get a bit older, they look to alcohol and other things to get the vibe going but kids don’t need any of that.”

The contrast is something many in the hip hop realm are yet to experience, but no doubt something that has a substantial effect of both audiences and performers a like; a younger, energetic audience generation becoming loyal hip hop followers.

The connection with his fans is no doubt a craving set to be satisfied in his up and coming release, furthermore retelling the stories of his upbringing and first love of hip hop music as both a hobby, and a way of life. “I think I was about 15 or 16 when I got into hip hop… The power and the unrestricted nature of the lyrics really stood out to me.”

“I think I was about 15 or 16 when I got into hip hop. It was the first thing musically to stick out to me,” says Pez. “It was the first thing I really when out and pursued instead of having it handed [into] my lap.”

Like many young teens growing up in suburban cities across the country, the hip hop void was yet to be fully recognized as a serious musical playing field. For Pez, it was a chance for expression without censorship; “The power and the unrestricted nature of the lyrics really stood out to me.”

Although it is obvious hip hop is the emcee’s first musical love, the rapper confirmed his admiration for the current state of Australian music, not just hip hop, but as a whole:

“Australian music at the moment is really being taken seriously; there is so much talent!” Adding that, “over the next few years I’m looking to work with as many Aussie talents as possible.”

That time frame may be shorter than expected, as he offers an insight into a current project with fellow Oz urban superstars Bliss N Eso. “We’re doing a new song with [them] for their new album; I love working with those guys.”

Whether it be a solo track or a guest feature, Melbourne’s Pez adds a touch of class to everything he is a part of, with that trend set to continue into the future and most definitely during his recently announced tour, which kicks this month.

Pez heads out on his first national tour in over four years from this Thursday 11th April, starting in Byron Bay and playing dates throughout the month, including visiting regional centres as part of the Groovin The Moo lineup. Dates and details below.

Pez 2013 Australian Tour

Thursday 11th April 2013
The Brewery – BYRON BAY – 18+ *
Ticket info: tickets at the venue (02) 6685 5833 or www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545

Friday 12th April 2013
The Coolangatta Hotel – COOLANGATTA – 18+ *
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545

Saturday 13th April 2013
Live It Up Festival – BRISBANE – U18 *
Ticket info: http://events.ticketbooth.com.au/event/3735491/tag/PEZ

Saturday 13th April 2013
The Wharf Tavern – MOOLOOLABA – 18+ *
Ticket info: www.ticketmaster.com.au & at the venue

Sunday 14th April 2013
The Normanby Hotel – BRISBANE – 18+ *
Ticket info: www.thenormanby.com.au

Wednesday 17th April 2013
UTS Glasshouse – Sydney – Lic/AA
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545

Thursday 18th April 2013
Waves – WOLLONGONG – 18+
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au1300 762 545

Friday 19th April 2013

Woy Woy Leagues Club – WOY WOY – 18+
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545

Saturday 20th April 2013
Sussex Inlet Tavern – SUSSEX INLET – 18+
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545

Wednesday 24th April 2013
Mona Vale Hotel – MONA VALE – 18+
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545 & at the venue

Thursday 25th April (ANZAC DAY) 2013
The Baroque Room @ Harp & Fiddle – KATOOMBA – 18+
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545 & at the venue

Friday 26th April 2013
The Roxy Hotel – PARRAMATTA – 18+
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545 and at the venue

Thursday 2nd May 2013
The Yarra Hotel (formerly The Bended Elbow) – GEELONG – 18+
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545

Friday 3rd May 2013
Kay St Entertainment Complex – TRARALGON
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545 & at the venue

Friday 10th May 2013
Amplifier Bar – PERTH – 18+ *
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au1300 762 545

Sunday 12th May 2013
Indi Bar – SCARBOROUGH – 18+ *
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au1300 762 545

* Purpose not appearing

Groovin The Moo 2013 Dates

Saturday 27 April 2013 – Maitland NSW – SOLD OUT!
Maitland Showground
Blomfield St, Maitland NSW 2320

Sunday 28 April 2013 – Canberra ACT
University of Canberra
Kirinari St Bruce ACT 2617

Saturday 4 May 2013 – Bendigo VIC – SOLD OUT!
Bendigo’s Prince of Wales Showground
42 – 72 Holmes Rd, Bendigo VIC 3550

Sunday 5 May 2013 – Townsville QLD
Murray Sports Complex – Townsville Cricket Grounds
Mervyn Crossman Dr & Murray Lyons Cres, Idalia QLD 4811

Saturday 11 May 2013 – Bunbury WA
Hay Park
(off) Parade Rd Bunbury WA 6230

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