My name is Dru Chen. I am a funk/soul singer-songwriter-producer. My 2013 release is titled Intentions EP as an ode to pure artistic vision, my intentions as an artist. Specifically, a fusion of the values of old-time musicianship with the laptop production chops of the new breed. My voice as an artist also reflects my cross-cultural upbringing from Australia and Singapore.
I am currently on a headline tour of East Coast Australia, including launch shows at The Toff In Town (Melbourne), Lizotte’s (Sydney), The Box (Brisbane), Solbar (Maroochydore) and an in-store performance at Unplugged Byron Bay. After this tour, I will be heading over to South East Asia to perform festivals and club dates in Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Hong Kong and Taiwan before coming back to Australia in 2014. http://druchen.net
What’s your earliest memory of performing and who inspired you to start?
I vaguely remember being carried around café’s and coffeehouses as a 3 year old and singing for my parent’s friends and relatives. I learned classical piano and violin throughout my childhood and performed in youth orchestras and whatnot, but I think the turning point was when I picked up the guitar and performed my own songs at a bar when I was 15. I was elated!
Tell us about the recording process for your ‘Intentions’ EP?
I wrote, mixed and produced Intentions EP by myself at home on a laptop. However, I did go into a studio to record drum parts. My friend Graeme Pogson from The Bamboos played drums on three tracks (‘You Bring Out The Best In Me’, ‘Lovelight’ and ‘Turnaround’) while Marley Berry-Pearce (from Capcha) helmed the groove on “Trainwrecks”. I also got some other friends (Josh Bridges, Gabby Ibbott, Cam Hassard, Fiona Lockie and Andrew Diamond Phillips) involved on a few bits and pieces sprinkled across the EP. I recorded horns and vocals in my grandparent’s garage, true DIY style.
I don’t think it is impossible to make a ‘professional’ sounding record at home DIY style. Some of my favourite music makers like Hiatus Kaiyote, Yeo, and the original DIY maestro Prince can attest to that. Most of Prince’s classic pre-Purple Rain material (‘Dirty Mind’, ‘Controversy’, ‘1999’ etc…) was recorded in his home studio.
You’re a multi-instrumentalist, what is your favourite of the instruments you play, Violin, Piano, guitar, or bass?
I don’t have a favourite, but like most songwriters I find myself composing mainly on the piano or the guitar. Each instrument has its own unique perks for me and I keep my passion and skills alive by participating actively as a session musician or as a permanent member of side projects on all my various instruments.
I love playing bass or writing bass lines because it joins the two fundamental elements of music: the groove, and the harmony. I’m probably funkiest on the guitar, but I also love playing shimmering chord textures on the keyboard.
Your music video for ‘You Bring Out The Best In Me’ was choreographed by dancer Aisha Kuryana, how did that come about?
I met Aisha through my friend Nick Mulhall, a gifted guitarist/singer who plays in the Melbourne band SMILE. I had previously seen Aisha’s work in Kimbra’s ‘Cameo Lover’ and ‘Good Intent’ as well as in videos by Guy Sebastian and Delta Goodrem. We caught up for brunch one day and bonded over our mutual love for old-school soul and r&b music and their associated dance styles (Aisha owned the entire 70s Soul Train television series!). She is so talented and easily one of the most soulful hip-hop/contemporary dancers I’ve seen.
‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?
‘The Big Chill Soundtrack’ – This was essentially my introduction to motown and soul music. From ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine’ by Marvin Gaye right down to ‘The Tracks of My Tears by The Miracles. I was 7. I thought it was rad listening to mum and dad harmonize and sing along.
‘Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme’ by Simon & Garfunkel. My mum was a big fan of 70s singer-songwriters and folk-rock. The subtlety in the orchestration sets up a beautifully poetic vibe, not to mention Paul Simon’s brilliant tunesmithery.
‘Give Me The Night’ by George Benson. This was from my uncle. This is the bomb. I’m always jammin’ to this record.
What’s your backstage preparation routine before you play a live show?
Group huddle! I like to make sure we’re vibing as a team and feeding off each other’s energies before we go onstage. I try to make myself approachable and let the audience know that I am with them and that we’re all down to have a good time together. I make sure my guitar is in tune and that I have something to drink onstage!
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?
Winter Heart & Soul Fest! It would be held in country Victoria, but not too far out for the urbanites.
It would include the funkiest acts around town, from soulful singer-songwriters, to jazz ensembles (organ trios), hip hop acts, to full on 12-piece funk orchestras! I would invite Sixx from Singapore, D’Angelo & The Vanguard and Dâm-funk from the states, MKO, His Merry Men and Laneous & The Family Yah from Brisbane, among other local Soul, Blues, Jazz and Hip-Hop acts.
Food would be a hearty mix of Italian, country roasts, warm mulled wine and hot chocolate to keep you toasty.
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?
I have mentioned this on recent PBS, Triple R and Joy FM radio interviews recently – I would love to work with The Bamboos. Lance Ferguson has always been an inspiration guitar-wise and arrangement-wise. What a legendary group. Outside of funk and soul, I would love to do something with Melbourne-based psychedelic rock group All The Colours.
What is your music the best soundtrack for?
Gettin’ down, booty shakin’ specifically. Grooving on the dance-floor. Jamming with your headphones on.
Tell us why we us why we shouldn’t miss your EP Launch at The Toff In Town in Melbourne on the 26th May?
We’ve got a full 7-piece unit onstage, complete with raging guitar solos, sharp horns, soul-sangin’ backgrounds, and a tight rhythm section for this special event. I’ve even release a short rehearsal clip you can find on facebook via DRU CHEN.
The supports are beautiful earthy roots/pop songstress Al Parkinson, and partying folk/rockers The Bon Scotts. With pre-sale tickets selling at $10+BF including a complimentary copy of Intentions EP you don’t want to miss out!
The response and airplay we’ve been getting from Aussie community radio stations like PBS, Triple R, Joy FM, Southern FM & NorthWest FM have been wonderfully encouraging and we’re stoked to bring the entire show onstage in Melbourne this Sunday May 26 at The Toff in Town.
Purchase Intentions Ep here: druchen.bandcamp.com/album/intentions-ep
