Illy
The Corner Hotel
March 20
Tickets: $17 +bf
myspace.com/illyal

Melbourne’s Illy is fast becoming one of Australia’s most respected and loved hip-hop stars. The former Crooked Eyes member first garnered praise for his debut Long Story Short, but he had to wait for last year’s The Chase for the mainstream public to really take him into their hearts. While the Owl Eyes duet It Can Wait became a supernova radio hit, the album would lead to Al Murray’s alias on the verge of household name status. While clearly more than a little pleased with the outcome of his hard work, he remains modest in his demeanour.

“The Chase was an album that Long Story Short, would have sounded like if I had the same knowledge of the music industry and the process of making an album. It was just through better knowledge and understanding of what it takes to make an album. Just growth really,” he says coyly.

His honest responses are humbly refreshing. Rather than feigning pretence that it is all about the music and not the success, he states matter-of-factly that he wants people to like his work While he is clearly focussed on his own development as a songwriter and performer, the increased interest in his career is definitely spurning him on too. Admitting that he is happy with where he’s at, it is clear his ambitions altering to align with his achievements.

“I would really like to follow in the footsteps of people a bit further on in their careers, who have gone to Canada or Europe and just done small shows over there. Just to be able to take my music overseas would be insane,” he muses.

With the number of Australian artists to break the international market is rapidly increasing, Illy is duly impressed by their accolades. With the realisation that he needs to ensure his own output is to the same standard as those who make it globally, he recognises that the internet is without any doubt the tool to use to test the waters. With such easy access to a wealth of music at the tip of their fingers, he notes that the material has to be worth their while, as a click of a button is all it takes to “separate the wheat from the chaff.”

Having had his biggest hit to date alongside fellow Melbournite Owl Eyes, Illy remains open about future pairings.

“I love collaborating with different artists. I wish I could sing or play an instrument as then I probably wouldn’t have to as much, but if a track calls for it, I have no qualms with it. I haven’t made a track yet that is tailored for a specific artist, but if some of the people who I really look upto in the Australian scene are wanting to do a track, then I would probably be a lot more collaborative.”

While Bliss’n'Eso, Drapht and Art Vs. Science all in his sights, the Sydney quartet The Jezabels top his list of acts he would like to partner up with.

“I think what makes them great and what makes my music what it is, is compatible. I wouldn’t want to try and force something that wasn’t going to work. A square peg in a circular hole. But if you can make something work then it is all good,” he says nonchalantly.

Though he may already be thinking ahead to possible opportunities, he is currently too busy touring up and down the country to be focusing fully on his next record. With the album in the planning stages, he should be hitting the studio as soon as he can catch his breath. Clearly upbeat about the prospect of laying down some new material, he is equally excitable about his sold out headline tour. But if he had to give one up in favour of the other, which would he choose to keep?

“It really depends. There are pros and cons to both. The time on stage is awesome, a lot of the stuff that foes into the touring process is grueling. But at the same time, being in studio can be great but it can also be really boring. There are pros and cons, but I love them both. But the sold out shows, when you have a crowd in the palm of your hands is pretty special.”

The Chase is out now through Obese Records.

All Images Copyright Jeremy Williams