The bop pushes freedom of expression, of sexuality, of gender, and is serving a futura R&B/funk/pop vibe. Co-produced by Chromeo, experts of electronic funk in their own right, every song on Auntie reverts back to Ian’s retro funk and soul origins, which he had diverted from in his album Shugga Sextape Vol. 1.
While referencing 1970’s music, Isaiah is grappling with subjects such as post-gender love and social and sexual change. Check out the video below.
Which U.S. city affected you in a way you didn’t expect?
St Louis, being a relatively small city in the USA, felt pretty electric. There was an undeniable energy and exhilaration from the crowd. It felt like a homecoming.
What’s your pre-show food situation looking like?
I need to eat things that have high protein and give energy! Like Atlantic Salmon and carrot cake! Guaranteed great show!
Is there a particular sound, smell, or phrase you’ll forever associate with this U.S. leg of the tour?
When we hit the highway along the water past New Orleans towards Biloxi I could smell the rich, deep, grimy thick scent of the swamps of the south. It was so earthy, deep, and Southern and particular. I wrote all the names for it, Alligator Valley, Swamps of the Southern Riviera.
Before stepping onto stage, what tends to move through your mind or your spirit?
I always ask the heavens to be a channel through me, move through me like I am a vessel. I am the conduit.
Has anything gifted to you by a fan this tour truly caught you off guard - funny, strange, or oddly moving?
A 15-year-old girl in St Louis gave me a journal that was engraved on the front with my initials. She also wrote a note to me and the lyrics to her first ever song she had written. I thought that was a really cool gift.
What’s the last dream you remember?
After the Festival show we played in LA I got on the tour bus to Vegas and had an intense dream. There was a giant storm in Vegas. Torrential rain, casinos getting blown away, it was very real. I woke up and quickly pulled up the blinds and of course it was very hot, dry and everything was still standing.
What’s the wildest thing that’s happened to you while touring (this time or ever)?
One time we played at Coachella, and I decided to smash three guitars. One was becoming predictable, the third one I destroyed I threw it into the crowd and Sylvester Stallone caught it! There I am, all this feedback going, and Rocky is standing in front of me holding my guitar in the air with such power and glory like when he holds the title belt in those movies!
You’ve said this record was about asking God. Do you feel like you've received answers along the way?
Yes. Always getting answers and more questions. That's what's so exciting - they are always delivered in different ways through different situations and different people. God is beyond what a human mind could ever understand. It's infinite learning and teaching.
Now that the songs have lived onstage night after night, is there a lyric that’s evolved in meaning for you?
The chorus lyrics of “Changes” is quite self-explanatory, but I began really singing deep into it. I guess I've come to realize the power of change in relationships. It can literally save them, restore hope and vision. Sometimes someone has to be the brave one and make the change.
Toronto's Slash Need serve up a distinct style and have earned a reputation for putting on high-energy live performances. These theatrical displays accompany the techno and metallic genre they produce in and form as a backdrop for unpredictable, developing, and communal performance pieces. After gaining a viral amount of attention from the right wing media after a lore-making performance in 2023 at Toronto Pride, the group has developed a cult following. A video earning 2.3 million views gained them comments such as "nasty, filthy perverts".
'The essence of cherry red lipstick smudged on the rim of a spilled energy drink, baby powder masquerading as Chanel perfume; pheromones, smoke machines, and crossed wored, Slash Need is an invitation. Demanding that the line between repulsion and desire be blurred, to arrive at a fierce reclamation of personal autonomy.'
Watch the full music video below.
Just after the release of Oh La La, office was able to sit down with Justine Skye to learn more about the making of the video and everything that this moment means to her. She passionately spoke of the experience noting that, “A lot of love went into making the song and honestly, while I was working on this project I just kept telling myself to have fun.” She went further to say that, “for so long, I felt like I was doing a job and focused on money but I'm doing this because it's my passion. It's also my source of income but I realized I just had to be myself and be authentic. This is the first time in my life where, even though I've been an artist for many, many years, I feel like a true artist. I have the right team around me that believes in me and pushes me. They help me be creative and it's just a beautiful feeling.” Listening to her recount the evolution of this project, her contentment shined through. This song and the joy exuding from it came from moments where that energy was in the room, whether that be from Justine or the talented collaborators around her.
Entering the realm of house music made for an exciting video and she definitely executed. Skye’s allure is undeniable as she dances around the depicted party looking bewitchingly snatched. In regards to this sensual persona she told us that, “I've somewhat grown up in this industry. I started when I was 17 and now that I'm 29 and a woman I understand myself and my sexuality more." Expressing herself as a woman and and all that it entails seems to give Skye this captiviating feminine strenth. In granting her fans access to this phase of Justine, she is taking us along for the ride. Confidently describing this, she disclosed that, "I understand who I want to be and how I want to be represented.”
Watch the full music video below.
