Congrats on ‘Off Ground’! How does it feel to release your debut single?
Shy Gui: “Overall, it’s been freeing to let it go – “
“You know, I’ve spent so many years releasing instrumental work or producing for other singers – it’s nice to have my own voice and say things that are on my mind, and things that I know are on other artists minds too. I really wanted to make a conceptual piece of work that represented some of the change I see as someone that works in the creative field. I hope artists alike can connect with the intention behind the concept.”.
This whole project has honestly taken a few years in the making and now it feels like I’m ready to put myself out there. Just finding a space for my voice on the right type of production and despite the anxiety with trying new things, I think “Off Ground” was the place I felt like I was getting in touch with that.
I’ve never really considered myself much of a singer, but adding a new instrument to the toolbox has been super valuable. I had a feeling this concept I am tackling needed something with lyrics. It is something that allows me to connect with people on a deeper level, I think this is the goal of any artist. Singing is just another element I’ve been developing to enhance that. It was great having Masha join me on this track, we really wanted to enhance this concept of merging identities with a layered vocal technique.
You’ve also just released your debut EP ‘Alternate Identity’. What was the process of recording this like?
Shy Gui: “I have recently moved from being more of a bedroom producer to having my own space in a creative hub in London (The Hive – Garden Studios). I feel this has really enhanced my focus on my craft. I still work a lot ‘in the box’ but just having the ability to have people pop in and have a comfortable space to collaborate is very important to me.”
“I started the project with the concept of saying how I felt AI was affecting creatives and I felt that it had to be something I said now, before it all changes. A lot of my inspiration came from films, specifically sci-fi films like ones by Stanley Kubrick, Spike Jonze, Alex Garland, The Wachowskis, as well as TV series such as Black Mirror and even a show like the Jetsons. I love this idea that we imagine the future but with all the aesthetics of the past. It really shows how we can get so close to imagining the future but locked into the thinking of today.”
“The process of this project really centred around the bass guitar which is my go-to in the studio. There is something about the way it pulls all the elements together and makes people move that is enchanting. Indie rock has always had a focus on guitar music, but why not make this project bass guitar music. “
When did you first feel inspired to make psychedelic music?
Shy Gui: “There is something about psychedelic music, punk music and electronic music that just has a counter cultural message ingrained into it, something that challenges what society has just accepted as the norm. “
“When I first saw what these first generative machines were making it was just so trippy. It scared me but at the same time inspired me to say, if I’m going to do this project, it must be psychedelic!”
How was it making your first music video?
Shy Gui: “I love pairing visuals to music, when I’m making music, the vision always comes first and then I write to that mental image.”
“I was very lucky to co-produce this with the very talented Anna Boronea, who really understood the vision and did a great job directing.”
“Taking in all the inspiration and putting it all together was a great challenge. It was fun putting in all these little techy-Easter eggs and references. In the opening scene we tied together shots inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey with reference to that Will Smith spaghetti clip, which was funny. We wanted to make something so bizarre that people would question if it was real or not. From the feedback we’ve had, I think we pulled it off.”
“We wanted to make homage to old cinema techniques by using practical fx wherever we could. The DoP – James Furr and Digital Artist Xera Works did a great job building the hologram.”
“Big shoutout to the human team behind this, it was so much fun and will always be better than sitting in front of a computer and prompting some chatbot.”
What do you consider to be the most important part of being an artist?
Shy Gui: “Expression, 100%. Some ideas, feelings and concepts are only possible to convey by art. It is the audience that then takes it in and makes it their own. Something personal. They colour it with their experience and what’s left connects people. In the end it’s all about connection, humanity, and deeper understanding.”
What would you like fans to take away from your music?
Shy Gui: “Hopeful optimism and something to bump your head to whilst enjoying your life.”
Which direction do your see yourself heading in musically?
Shy Gui: “I would love to do more collaboration with all types of artists and explore more visual styles. Maybe even building out more conceptual characters.”
“The next chapter will be to concentrate on live shows, where I want to showcase some crazy ideas and get everyone grooving.”
You can listen to Off Ground here: