We sit down with Tijuana Cartel’s Paul George to get the low-down on this sensory overload, euphoria, fat beats and heavy, bass-fuelled electronica live band…
How did you get into music and when did you form?
I’ve been into music since I can remember. Most of my family are either musicians or dancers. My mother was a ballerina and my father played drums around Sydney as a session musician.
Your music mixes a lot of genres together, where do you get your inspiration?
We used to get gigs for Marriott Hotels around the world, places like China and India. I think the music started working its way around our travels. We really enjoy taking one sound and seeing if it fits with another from a totally different culture. Sometimes it works perfectly, there’s a lot of trial and error though.
What’s it like converting you mix of production and live instruments onto the stage, and what kind of experience do you try and create for your live audience?
It’s a lot of experimentation. Our main focus is to create a great atmosphere for the room we are in, we alter the songs to fit the live environment. Most people tell us we are better live, and it’s a comment we like hearing.
You just put out a live album, what was that show like?
It was nice; we kept it to an intimate one and recorded it over a couple of nights. The idea was that we could choose which version would suit from any of the two nights. Turns out, the first night was the one for all of the tracks.
Do you have any plans to release new studio music soon?
We have heaps of new tracks. We’ll be trying out a few this tour.
Who do you think would throw a better party, you guys or the actual Tijuana Cartel?
It depends on what sort of party you’re after. I’d say you have a better chance of not getting shot tag our party.
What’s up for the rest of the year?
Non-stop touring, we head to Europe again real soon, and there’s going to be a lot of new material and more antics.
When & Where:
Sooki Lounge, Belgrave – May 2
Karova Lounge, Ballarat – May 3
Howler, Melbourne – May 4
