ARIA Award-nominated Australian hip hop duo Spit Syndicate have got fans riled up with their most recent offering, Orbit. Released just last week, Orbit will stand as their fifth studio album and comes less than a year after the critically-acclaimed One Good Shirt Had Us All Fly. Titled the most progressive work the powerhouse duo have produced to date, we are told that the catalyst for this album came out of a very specific notion – a notion that has great importance.
“Time – that’s really the catalyst for this album,” begins Jimmy Nice, one half of the Sydney-based duo. “Just knowing that there’s not too much time that we have – in general – but especially not that we have to waste.
“That’s the reason why we’ve jumped back so quickly since our last album,” he continues, “It’s really just the zone we’re in at the moment – being on the front foot about everything and not over thinking it.”
With such a heightened consciousness for time, or rather a lack thereof, accompanied by complete and utter respect for the notion itself, one might wonder if and how this might be reflected within Orbit. Jimmy explains that given both he and crew member Nick Lupi’s mindfulness toward the subject, they were able to truly capture a feeling in this production.
“What we really wanted to do with the process, as I mentioned, was not to overthink it and really capture a feeling,” he says before further explaining, “You can’t really do that over a period of two and a half years, or however long it took to get the last record out – it just doesn’t make sense.
“So we made the choice to set it [Orbit] as 10 songs and turn it around quickly, so we could have it truly represent what we were and are feeling at the moment.”
What is commonly known and accepted about experiencing a feeling, is that it is fleeting. Feelings fluctuate, they come and go and are often reflective of what is happening in an individual’s life at any given time. The quick turn over Spit Syndicate have achieved between releases leads us to prepare for what might be their most honest work to date.
Featuring guest appearances by Tuka, Turquoise Prince, imbi the girl and Kai (Jackie Onassis), the duo pride themselves in delivering collaborations which are “organic and natural”.
“These people have probably been around when we’re making the songs – they’re in our family, our close knit little circle of friends – or sometimes it’s a matter of certain things screaming out to certain artists,” says Jimmy. “Like, the title track ‘Wonderland’ – that just sounded like something that Turquoise Prince would just do so well on; it was so fitting for him.”
If fans weren’t appeased and intrigued enough already, along with the release, the boys have also let slide that they will be embarking on a massive 20-date national tour in celebration of the album. Set to kick off on May 19, Spit Syndicate will be hosting their trademark One Day-style block parties in the likes of Sydney and Melbourne, which we’re told will serve as a warm-up for what is promised to be their most explosive live performance yet.
Expanding on exactly what these One-Day-style block parties are, for those who have not yet been lucky to attend one (ahem), Jimmy tells us “these parties were grown out of the West of Syndey,” where Spit Syndicate hail from.
“And they were initially born out of a necessity to have a place where people can come and kick it on a Sunday and listen to good music and dance,” he explains. “We just wanted to bring this energy and attitude to the tour – which is exactly what those parties are – so we thought we’d combine the two.”
A career now spanning a decade, Jimmy and Nick have worked tirelessly over the years to cement themselves as one of Australia’s most respected and beloved hip-hop outfits. Orbit is their first record to be released via One Day Entertainment, gaining them independent status – an achievement they hold close to their hearts.
“Having a great creative output is key for us and this is the first record coming out through our own label – One Day Entertainment,” smiles Jimmy, “Which just makes us want to work harder every time around and produce something of merit every year.”
“I just can’t stress enough that we don’t have the luxury of wasting time,” maintains Jimmy. “It’s almost like how people feel when a new year rolls around and everyone has these grand aspirations and they seem to dwindle as the year progresses, but really you need to wake up every day and grind at it.
“And that’s how we treat the music – that’s how we treat every facet of our lives.”
Release: Orbit is out now via One Day Entertainment
When & where: Karova Lounge, Ballarat – Thursday 21 June; Workers Club, Geelong – Friday 22 June; The Corner Hotel, Melbourne – Saturday 23 June
Written by Helena Metzke