This week we speak to Australian band Lost Dogs Of Ultimo who discuss their experimental music styles and the joy of collaborating with other musicians and artists.
Band Name: Lost Dogs Of Ultimo
Members: Pauli V (Producer), Phaedra Gunn (Vocals), Neil Johnson (Drums), & Ric Newell (Vocals, Keyboards)
Genre: Experimental Punk Reggae Soundtracks
Founded: July 2020
Originated From: Melbourne, Australia
Discography: Another Hang (2022), Odyssey In Bm (2022), Rasta Cowboy (2022), Digging For Bones (2022), Hey Yeah, Bulwara Road (2022), Death Is Just Another Day (2022), Its On That Beat (2022), The Odd One (2022), Driving The Rhythm Of My Mind (2022), Smells Like MC5 Looking At You(2023), Smells Like The Clash Police and Thieves (2023) & Smells Like XRay Specs Identity (2023)
How would you describe your music?
The music is a mix of experimental and electronic Punk Reggae with both instrumentals and lyrical tracks.
What is your musical creative process like?
We usually start in the studio formulating drum sounds and laying down multiple layers and fusions. Then we start to develop a bass or guitar idea from there. The last part is the lyrics and vocals. Sometimes we have collaborated with other artists when they are available. The direction of the tracks evolve from what we’re listening to or reading about or something from the street art that we like to photograph.
How did the band form?
It evolved in 2020 during lockdowns when one of us was walking the streets of Melbourne photographing street art and street life.
This band member would go to their studio and edit them and make a soundtrack to add more texture to the video. Then as we started to collaborate with other artists and musicians, it started to become more of a band and music project into its present format.
How did you come up with your band name?
A long time ago one of our members was living in Sydney, playing, touring in bands and recording with other bands as a bass player. We all lived in the inner city suburb called Ultimo as a collection of musicians artists and activists. Then we kind of moved on different paths. So there was the idea to bring some of us back together on different aspects of this project as The Lost Dogs Of Ultimo collective.
Who influenced you within the music industry?
Our biggest influences have been bands or artists with a voice or something to say like The Clash or MC5 but also some of the experimental creative people like Alan Vega (Suicide) Soixie and The Banshess.
Have you performed live much and what was your favourite gig to play at?
We haven’t taken this project out on the streets yet as we’re developing an interactive show that brings together street artists and live music with the audience all participating in the collective experience. Its a work in progress maybe happening soon.
What is the best thing about being in a band?
We think primarily connecting with people, be it other musicians, artists or audiences, creating something that resonates with others maybe in the lyrics or the feel of an instrumental. Music is a soundtrack to what is happening in our lives now. That’s what draws us to songs. We can reflect back to a time and connect it to a song or artist that we listen to.
What’s the biggest problem you’ve had to overcome so far as a musician(s)?
Right now the streaming services are sucking energy out of artists. Also, you have to have a social media profile, which requires constant content and that time draws down your creative energy and takes it away. So being a band is hard enough but adding these other elements increases your workload.
What plans have you got coming up this year?
We’re working on the next release of the 2023 project. We are celebrating the music that inspired us so far. We are currently in the studio mixing the track we recorded of Homicide by 999, a great UK band from the late 70s still playing now.
What is your ultimate dream as a band?
We are hoping to navigate into some soundtrack work with our music but continue to release songs with themes. We have already touched on topics of mental health, death, loneliness and isolation.
You can find out more about Lost Dogs Of Ultimo by following them on Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
If you’re in a band or a musician and would like to appear on this blog, please contact me and I’ll forward you an interview template.
Also, check out my other Music Interview roundups from 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022.
