Violet Houses Aliens Aliens Aliens Interview

Travel Space With Violet Houses In Their Debut Experimental Rap EP 'Aliens Aliens Aliens'

In a truly transformative and innovative effort to create something escapist by means of music, experimental rap duo 'Violet Houses' expose the silliest, strangest and most fanciful parts of their own selves in debut EP 'Aliens Aliens Aliens' .

Produced in lighting speed over three weekends, 'Aliens Aliens Aliens' is in equal parts an art project, science experiment and space exploration. It's about embracing cognitive dissonance through a perpetuation of real life feels, bridged into a completely warped dimension of enigmatic ideas and unembellished honesty.

Of the EP Card Houses says, "The things we discuss are all quite universal: love, pride, anxiety, self-care, but it's those thoughts reimagined after being put through a kaleidoscope. It's like the way our thoughts slowly slip into nonsense when we're falling asleep. It's still our own mind but not as we know it."

Each of the six tracks carry their own unique tapestry of textures. The title track starts the EP with some distorted synths and aggressive robotic-like bars, followed by haunting vocals powered by a rich vibrato. Then there's tracks like 'Catamaran' and 'Tequila Sunrise', which features a brighter collection of sounds that you can't help but sing along to. Concluding the EP is 'Stereopelagic', a slower tempo track with an arrangement of cool lead breaks and gentle vocals that echo throughout the outro.

Violet Houses is a collaborative project formed by Melbourne rapper and producer Fresh Violet and Brisbane multi-instrumentalist and producer Card Houses. Each a master of their own artistry, side-by-side as Violet Houses the duo breaks through the constructs of common sound by exploring the outer limits of pop music.

Since a few solid releases over the past couple years, Fresh Violet has stapled herself as one of the most promising female artists in Australia's hip-hop scene. Her signature sound and contagious attitude is what makes her unique and addictive to watch, amassing an organic fanbase that treasures her individuality.

Meanwhile, since entering the rap scene in 2017, Card Houses is quickly building a reputation for their production skills and instrumental prowess. The non-binary artist's aim is to win over the hearts and minds of the world through a cocktail of intangible weirdness and over-the-top cutesiness, which is ever so enjoyable to watch in the 'Keys to the Horse' music video .

Through their complex producing and eloquent lyricism, Violet Houses will be sure to garner a reputation as being one of Australia's most freshly inventive artists.

Interview with Fresh Violet and Card Houses

Question: How would you describe your music?

Card Houses: It's like Earthbound on the Super NES if instead of being a game it was rap music

Fresh Violet: The aliens tell me what to write, I'm basically just a scribe.


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

Fresh Violet: I like Aliens Aliens Aliens best because the hype is EXTREME and everyone gets really sweaty!

Card Houses: Definitely Stereopelagic! I'm a huge prog rock nerd, and that one channels those vibes the hardest. Also I get to play my guitar. I love my guitar.


Question: If you could have anyone, in the world, attend a show, who would it be?

Fresh Violet: Tom DeLonge - he and I have a lot to discuss.

Card Houses: It would have to be Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. She's one of our biggest inspirations, and I'd like for her to see the world she inadvertently created.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Card Houses: Performing live cause I'm a total show-off. The initial songwriting process though tops both of them I'd say.

Fresh Violet: Yes same, the recording process can be hard and slow at times. That's just universal. When you write or perform you can get to a transcendent state that's really special.


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Fresh Violet: The Aliens tell me what to say but not how to produce so that part I have to make up and I just like noise and go with my gut.
Card Houses: I just get so captivated by the spontaneity of it all. Like, just having these ideas coming out and not necessarily knowing where it's gonna end up but it doesn't matter cause it's beautiful


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

Card Houses: This 70s fusion band called Casiopea. I'm obsessed with them at the moment, also Carly Rae Jepson.

Fresh Violet: A lot of Busta Rhymes and a lot of Joni Mitchell.


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

Fresh Violet: I just always wanted to make records. I grew up listening to my parent's vinyl and spending all my pocket money on CDs. I like the physical manifestation of music and all the sound and visual and everything that goes into this package that is a record. To make my own is a treat.

Card Houses: There's a music INDUSTRY?


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

Card Houses: Mostly that it's a bit like an ecosystem in a pond. I think there are so many aspects that seem to contradict one another, but they kinda all rely on each other to exist? Perhaps it's idealistic of me to say, but I like to imagine that there is a very important place for self-indulgent art, even if the industry is still required to behave like, you know, an industry.
Fresh Violet: I was worried it's evil and still am. You have to keep your wits about you that's for sure.


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

Fresh Violet: Kreayshawn 10/10

Card Houses: Haley Williams if you're reading this, my Instagram is @cardhousesmusic


Question: What's a typical day like?

Card Houses: I wake up in the morning, much to my own bemusement, and then contemplate the universe until I am asleep. I guess I do stuff in between, but honestly it's hard to focus on what's typical when you're so busy with the contemplating.

Fresh Violet: You wake up in the morning? Ok, I have to lift my game.


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

Fresh Violet: I've really loved touring. I just want to connect and be around people.

Card Houses: I just love that feeling of, for a brief moment, living completely in my own imagination. It's like being a kid again.


Question: Can you tell us 5 things required for a happy healthy and enjoyable life?

Fresh Violet: Sunshine, rain, nutrients, clean air and bees.

Card Houses: Something interesting to think about, something cute to wear, time alone, time with others, Pacific Rim.


Question: Can you share your socials?

Fresh Violet: Facebook
@violethousesforever
Triple J Unearthed
Bandcamp
Youtube
@violethouses4ev


Interview by Brooke Hunter