10 April 2024 - 0 Comments

Dbldbl is the musical project of Liam Dargaville (Te Rarawa, Ngā Puhi, they/them), a musician and songwriter based in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Liam specialises in pairing crisp, minimal production with raps stuffed with references of their favourite TV shows, games and foods to broach topics such as chronic pain, identity politics and depression.

Today Dbldbl shares Fakey feat. Randa, the latest in a string of collaborations with Aotearoa's finest alternative hip-hop / RnB talent. Fakey is accompanied by a Sports Team music video (made with assistance from NZ On Air Music) and to celebrate Dbldbl and Randa will perform live on May 4th at Whammy Backroom - tickets are available now through Undertheradar.

Fakey feat. Randa is served up on boom bap drums and cold synth loops, giving space for Dargaville's goofy adlibs to distract you from its more solemn subject matter. "Ya never wanna take yourself too seriously," says Dargaville "but ultimately the goal is always to express my truest self, inside and out, wherever I am."

Dargaville notes that the meaning behind Fakey's lyrics are "a bit of an onion" and that it's ultimately about "floating between different spaces, scenes, and peoples while navigating my place with and amongst them and how I’m seen. I'm consistently being misgendered, even in spaces where I’m known, a part of, and deeply connected to. Fakey explores, feelings of being an imposter versus feeling myself, slipping in and out of different skins as a form of adaptation and 'survival', and just a dash of cultural disconnect, shame, and guilt."

Following 2021's Big Mike feat. L V J & PollyHill and 2022's Lemon Drop feat. Imugi 이무기 Fakey featuring Randa is the third single where Dbldbl has favoured collaboration. "Randa is an absolute honey with an infectious energy. They’ve always been one of my fav rappers, blending real talk with an abundance of trashy pop culture references. From recording, to filming and doing press shoots together - they always brighten up every space they’re in." Speaking of his inspiration for Fakey Randa says "The lyrics I wrote were sort of a fantasy, a bit the opposite of my current vibe which feels a bit Mormon. I just imagined I was a very unapologetic motorcycle rider who goes fast at night and someone edgy lol."

In the Sports Team directed music video (made with assistance from NZ On Air Music) the pair rotate on a life size lazy susan, while colours feedback via analog CRT effects. "Callum and Annabelle are the dream team," says Dargaville. "They were the perfect amount of professionals and laid back. Easy to collaborate with, quick to pivot, innovative, and always super deliberate and meaningful with their input. Also gotta give a special shout outs to Tommy (Tom Davis) for the incredible rotating stage rig and Alex Abrahams who spent the majority of the shoot lying on the ground, outta shot, spinning the stage by hand. Keep an eye out as his hand makes a coupla cute cameos throughout the vid."

With Fakey feat Randa now released Dargaville reflects with relief. "Living with chronic pain has really reduced my productivity, pace and capacity to still fit music into my life. I actually wrote this song years ago and it can feel a little strange when the release comes so long after inception. Though I think Fakey's themes will always hold relevance."

STREAM - DBLDBL - Fakey feat. Randa

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Dargaville has had a long lasting influence on Aotearoa's alternative hip-hop landscape. Their music has paved the way for those artists who forgo the usual genre traps, instead focusing on gender identity, mental health, and community.

In 2013 Dargaville formed one half of Cool Tan (formerly known as Heavy), along with Reem Nabhani (Meer), a hip-hop duo who opened for international acts Earl Sweatshirt, The Internet, Jurassic 5, Ratatat, and Miss Blanks. The pair toured throughout Aotearoa and performed at Auckland City Limits and St Jerome's Laneway Festival.

Liam's first foray as Dbldbl was in 2016, when they released their debut album Power Chuck. A firm favourite with Student Radio, Dbldbl continued their solo success with 2017's Christmas Day at the Breakfast Buffet, and 2019's Chip Buddies, a collaboration with the enigmatic producer Trapjaw Kelpie.

Dbldbl returned in 2021 with the playful yet powerful Big Mike featuring L V J and PollyHill, that was a finalist for Te Tōtahi Toa (Favourite Single Award) at the Student Radio Network Awards. 2022 saw Dargaville profiled by Te Ao with Moana , as well as releasing Lemon Drop feat. Imugi 이무기and the Sunset Refresh remix of deepState's Sunrise.

Dbldbl has toured throughout Aotearoa, as well as performing at Camp A Low Hum, Welcome To Nowhere and supporting international artists such as New York rapper Le1f.

Photo Credit: Mason Fairey

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