Tommy Ill - Tommy Ill Newsletter Interview
How do you come up with your lyrics?
I tend to make a lot of instrumentals first before I write the words. I have trouble writing the words without hearing the music. I'll make about 10 beats and out of those 10 I'll probably write to maybe one or two of them if I'm lucky. Once I've found a piece of music that works I try to write the lyrics really fast so I've got the whole song laid out, then I go back and change things here and there until it works.
How do you believe Tommy Ill fits into the NZ music industry?
I haven't really figured that out yet. Live I think I fit in better with the indie/alternative scene than I do with the rap crowd though. I kind of hope that people who don't usually like rap music might like my music maybe.
What can you never leave home without?
A sense of humour.
What is the best part of being a musician?
Hearing a finished song for the first time and being happy with it. It's a weird feeling. That, and also getting off stage after a really good show, meeting new people and things like that.
What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?
I broke my tooth at a show in Auckland. I jumped into the crowd and the guy in front of me spun around, I had the microphone up to my face and he bumped it into my mouth. A big chunk of one of my front teeth came off. I kept going though and finished the show, and ACC paid for my tooth to get fixed so it was all good.
What is your favourite place in NZ to be?
Anywhere that my friends are! As long as there is friends and drinks and music it's all good with me. Wellington's good though, seeing as that's where my bed is, and I can walk home from where ever.
What inspired you to become a musician?
I think it kind of happened by accident. I didn't really know I was one until recently. I've just kind of been mucking about in my bedroom making weird music on my computer for such a long time, I didn't really think "hey I should do this" I think I was just a bit bored and didn't have much to do. I think maybe I thought if I made some music people would think I was a cool guy or something, haha.
What rumour would you like to start about yourself?
I can leap across buildings in a single bound and I never sleep. I once saved one thousand orphans from a house fire.
About Tommy Ill
Hailing from Wellington, Tommy Ill has earned a reputation for haphazard live sets and great party tunes that blend traditional rap, vintage soul and fun indie rock samples with playful beats. With his debut release came two bNet award nominations (Best Hip Hop Track and RadioActive song of the year) and his song Bill Cosby made it into the top 10 on almost every bNet radio station in the country. Likewise, tracks from his follow up releases have received similar privileges.
Never far from mischief, Tommy Ill, has also lent his wayward talents to others over the years, making a number of guest appearances on other artists’ tracks - including Bandicoot’s single Pretention Blast Gold, 47 Diamantes and Armageddon.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Tommy Ill
Releases
Other Interviews By Shade
MNZ Interview: Muzic Speak S01 / E02 - Courtnay & The Unholy Reverie
12 Dec 2024 // by Shade
Brought to you by Muzic.NZ's Lisa Jones, Muzic Speak is a fresh new interview series which pays homage some of the best up and coming acts this country has on offer.
Read More...
MNZ Interview: Muzic Speak S01 / E01 - Powder Chutes
06 Nov 2024 // by Shade
Brought to you by Muzic.NZ's Lisa Jones, Muzic Speak is a fresh new interview series which pays homage some of the best up and coming acts this country has on offer.
Read More...
Interview with Angus Woodhams, lead of Weka
16 Sep 2024 // by Shade
Weka is a three-piece electronica band combining unique timbres with pulsing bass and punching drums. Formed of Angus Woodhams on keys and controllers, Mitch Harty on guitar, and Cathal Lennon on drums, Weka’s instrumental electronic sound is diverse, beautiful, and thought provoking, urging audiences to dance uninhibitedly.
Read More...
Pull Down The Sun Newsletter Interview
01 Dec 2022 // by Shade
Boasting an international standard of modern metal, New Zealand's Pull Down The Sun have set many an audience alight with their glorious imagery that holds true to sheer riff obedience, making motions from heavy and erratic to dark and moody, through to light and uplifting with minimal effort. We spoke to frontman Koert, and he had this to say:How did you become involved in music?
Read More...
Coridian Newsletter Interview
27 Nov 2022 // by Shade
Coridian are one of New Zealand's leading rock acts, and they have an exciting 2023 in the works. In recent months the release of singles Rakshasa (with Michael Murphy from Written by Wolves) and State of Mind have further cemented their status in NZ music.
Read More...
1 Drop Nation Newsletter Interview
19 Nov 2022 // by Shade
Otautahi six-piece 1 Drop Nation will be dropping their exciting self-titled debut album on 1 December, and it’s guaranteed to set Aotearoa music fans up for a great summer! They answered the following questions for Muzic.
Read More...
Interview: 2Fly Ty
17 Oct 2022 // by Shade
Despite currently residing in Brisbane, 2Fly Ty still identifies as a Kiwi at heart, as he looks to make a name for himself in the music scene of his homeland, Aotearoa. He answered the following questions for Muzic.
Read More...
Dead Beat Boys Newsletter Interview
29 Sep 2022 // by Shade
Auckland Rockers Dead Beat Boys fuse punk intensity with classic-rock riffs, all strung together in a show uncontainable by the stage. On the 1st of October they released their first and last album, be sure to check it out here.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- APT.
ROSÉ And Bruno Mars - DIE WITH A SMILE
Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars - BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Billie Eilish - TASTE
Sabrina Carpenter - I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
Gracie Abrams - ESPRESSO
Sabrina Carpenter - SAILOR SONG
Gigi Perez - LOSE CONTROL
Teddy Swims - A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
Shaboozey - GOOD LUCK, BABE!
Chappell Roan
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
