Angus Dawson Pieces Interview

Get Lost in Pieces

Perth producer Angus Dawson has just dropped his new single Pieces. Pieces is a solemn and intensely intricate track with soothing vocals and intertwining synth colours. Recognised for his introverted and reflective work, Angus Dawson writes from the inside, divulging his personal experiences through brooding ambient/electronic production.
Listen on Spotify.

Interview with Angus Dawson

Question: What inspired the track Pieces?

Angus Dawson: To be honest, I can't remember. This track was one of the first songs I wrote under this project about 6 years ago. Since then it's been through a thousand renditions before it came to its final form. A friend of mine actually inspired the end of this song. My mate Anders help me put the pieces (deliberate) together to finally polish off this slog-of-a-track.


Question: How would you describe your music?

Angus Dawson: Tough question for any artist I'd say. I think it's easier for everyone else to describe my sound. I quite like the idea of Sunday afternoon music, that sits pretty ok with me.


Question: What inspires you when creating music?

Angus Dawson: These days, time. Being an electronic producer I can create whatever, wherever, whenever, which is pretty awesome. Lately I've been polishing off old sketches of mine but I've also been inspired when I hear something new, something that resonates with me in a way that I feel I can reimagine.


Question: What is your earliest memory of learning an instrument?

Angus Dawson: I was taught classical guitar at age 11 I think. I say taught but the only thing I learned was how to make it stand up by itself.


Question: What was it like supporting Vera Blue?

Angus Dawson: Always nice to see fellow gingers out there kicking goals. She's great, the kind of person who you could have an honest chat with while she's mid vocal warm up (she slays a warm up too). Her band are a bunch of legends too.


Question: Which is your favourite song to perform live and why?

Angus Dawson: It changes with every gig, for me its super vibe dependant. Battles is fun because it builds and builds and it's a little more -upbeat' than my other stuff. Also All The Things I Never Said, we end the set on that one usually and have a little jam at the end. We never quite know what's going to happen with it but my band are also legends and it's really fun to experiment with them.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Angus Dawson: Hmm, very different beasts. Not sure I could split them. The feeling of being on a roll in the studio is unbeatable, when you feel like you're onto something special. Sure, you might not be, but it's an unreal feeling and the hours just fly by. With the live show it took me a long time to really enjoy it. I get really nervous and self-conscious so the enjoyment would usually come after the set. Lately, however, they're probably starting to even out.


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Angus Dawson: Here's some artists that I recently chucked into my Spotify playlist if stuff I'm loving:
Jon Hopkins Olafur Arnalds
Middle Kids
No Mono
Hans Zimmer


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Angus Dawson: Probably in primary school where I saw a cheesy 90's movie that said that chicks dig musicians. As a pasty, unconfident kid I needed all the help I could get. I stayed because I love it, and despite being a brutal, unforgiving industry, I love that I can create something in my dark, cold studio and put it online for anyone who might stumble across it.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Angus Dawson: Anyone who knows me would call me a liar if I said anyone other than Bon Iver. He is unashamedly my favourite of all time. I've literally loved everything he's ever done. So much so that it probably wouldn't be a collaboration, it'd be very one sided.


Question: What's next, for you?

Angus Dawson: More songs! The next song I'm putting out into the world is probably my favourite thing I've done. I'm pumped.


Interview by Brooke Hunter