Nakatomi The Knife Interview

Nakatomi The Knife Interview

Neon drenched, eighties inspired electro-pop duo, Nakatomi have announced the release of new single, The Knife alongside a run of show dates hitting Rocket Bar (Ade) on October 30, Mynt Lounge (Melb) on November 20, The Toff (Melb) on November 22 and Oxford Art Gallery Bar (Syd) on November 26.

Synth-heavy with industrial beats and offering a generous nod to the eighties, 'The Knife is about the downward spiral of bad experiences or relationships, but choosing to see some beauty in the fall rather than getting consumed by it," explains lead vocalist, Emily Smart. 'We worked with Badcop (Tkay Maidza) on the sound design and sought out Melbourne producer-engineer, Jimi Maroudas (Kimbra, Bertie Blackman) to produce and mix, and tracking was done at the amazing Chapel Lane Studios in Adelaide."

'We had this idea to go with a sci-fi 80s vibe for this clip, so we contacted a great local film director named Aaron Schuppan and set him the challenge to create something inspired by movies such as Blade Runner," says Smart. 'Thankfully Aaron was just as excited about this idea as we were and proposed that our film clip take the form of a movie trailer for an amazing, lost tech-noir film from the 80s, but something with genuine emotion at its core. Aaron threw together a crazy script, and our only thought was, if he can pull this off, this is going to be epic!"

The duo is excited to hit the road to play for their fans along the east Coast later this month with Smart saying, 'we can't wait, we'll be supporting JOY. for her Adelaide tour leg and this is also our hometown single launch party, then a few weeks later we will do our first run of shows in Melb and Syd."

Named after Nakatomi Plaza from the Die Hard movie, Cox jokes, 'Nakatomi does have a classier meaning in ancient Japanese though, it's the ancestral name of the greatest clan of classical times, the Fujiwara."

Nakatomi is made up of Emily Smart on vocals and Hamish Cox on synths.

View clip:: THE KNIFE
Listen:: THE KNIFE

Nakatomi Show Dates

Fri 30 Oct | Rocket Bar, Adelaide Sa | 18+
Fri 20 Nov | Pow! @ Mynt Lounge, Werribee Vic | 18+
Sun 22 Nov | The Toff In Town, Melbourne Vic | 18+
Thur 26 Nov | Oxford Art Gallery Bar, Darlinghurst Nsw | 18+

Interview with Emily Smart

Question: How would you describe your music?

Emily Smart: Edgy electro pop, with an 80s dance vibe.


Question: What was the main motivation for the track, The Knife?

Emily Smart: When I first heard the music ideas Hamish had for this track, I really liked the light and shade between the verses and choruses, and so I wanted to compliment that idea vocally and lyrically. I started to think about experiences I'd gone through; times where it had felt like my world was ending, but of course it wasn't... and then I started to think about how these moments had shaped me as a person and how we can choose to see these moments either negatively or positively. So the verses sit inside these darker moments, and then the choruses lift you out of them.


Question: What should we expect from the upcoming tour?

Emily Smart: We really like to go all out when we perform. If people aren't moving and we aren't hurting by the middle of the set, then we are doing it wrong.


Question: Can you tell us about the video clip for The Knife?

Emily Smart: We had this idea to go with a sci-fi 80s vibe for this clip, so we contacted a local film director named Aaron Schuppan and set him the challenge to create something inspired by movies such as Blade Runner. Aaron was just as excited about this idea as we were and proposed that our film clip take the form of a movie trailer for an amazing, lost tech-noir film from the 80s, but something with genuine emotion at its core. We had a great little team of actors who really brought the story to life and ran around the streets of Adelaide looking like weirdos.


Question: How did it feel to hear your song played all over the airwaves?

Emily Smart: It's a pretty surreal and awesome feeling.

Question: Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry?

Emily Smart: Only that there is never one sure way to succeed, and that what works for one act, will not necessarily work for another.


Question: Do you write your own songs? What's your inspiration?

Emily Smart: I do write my own songs, but for this act, I co-write with Hamish on pretty much everything we do. Song inspiration can come from anywhere really; movies, things you see on the street, relationships, the ocean, mopeds...


Question: What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?

Emily Smart: I have a pretty eclectic taste, so I listen to a lot of different types of music. Currently I'm digging the latest tracks from Eves The Behaviour, Jarryd James, Childish Gambino, Holy Holy, Silversun Pickups, Lana Del Rey, Lorde, Broods, Sufjan Stevens, Tove Lo... I should probably stop here as I could keep going for hours!


Question: What's next? Tour/Album/Single?

Emily Smart: Recording. We have a whole heap of songs we would like to get down over the Christmas break, then they will be ready for release next year as either a new single or and EP.


Question: Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?
Emily Smart: I think everyone experiences moments of doubt, whether it's in themselves or their abilities, or in the path they are on. But I think when you truly have a passion for something, it's almost impossible to give up on it completely unless you are forced to.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Emily Smart: I don't really prefer one or the other... they are both great for different reasons, and equally, both can be stressful and hard work at times too.


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

Emily Smart: I'm not sure actually, I just knew I wanted to sing and write music from a very young age. I have some creative and musical genes in my family, so maybe it's just in my blood!


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Emily Smart: Realising you have to make tough decisions about who you work with. It's vital you are all on the same page about what you want out of a project, because if these don't line up, people can develop resentment towards each other.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Emily Smart: Eat breakfast, work, walk the dog and then be creative, whether it be rehearsing or writing.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Emily Smart: I'm actually quite a shy person, so I love to be able to explore the more extraverted side of myself on stage and communicate with people through my music.


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

Emily Smart: I'd love to work with Disclosure or Sia.


Interview by Brooke Hunter