Written by Carl Maloney
iya Mac Summer, thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today. Grab a brew and take a seat. Cheers, glad to be here! Got my brew in hand-let’s dive on in.
What made you decide that music is the thing for you?
I really can’t nail one moment because, all my life, music’s been part of me. But I think it was the first hypnotic beats I heard in Drum & Bass that finally clicked something inside of me. I just felt connected to it, in a way that I had never felt before, and I knew I needed to create that feeling for others.
Kindly introduce us to you and your musical journey.
Su-uure! I first got into production in Wellington, producing first reggae and working with many talented local artists. As my sound evolved, it was Liquid Drum & Bass’s intricate layers and energy that drew me in. It felt organic, also giving me the leeway to toy with melody and atmosphere, driving rhythms.
What’s the live scene like in Auckland right now? Anybody we should be looking out for-other than yourself, of course?
There’s so much fresh talent in the Auckland scene right now. No longer is it one genre; real fusion of sounds happening. Watch for some incredible acts such as LEISURE and Montell2099, who bring an energy with them.
What do you think about the industry in general?
That’s tough, for sure. The industry is more accessible than it has ever been, but at the very same time, it’s ultra-competitive. I think that’s just community building-genuine connections with listeners, with other artists. There’s strength in collaborating, and in lifting each other up.
Right. Okay, where do you feel you currently sit within the music industry?
I just really view myself as an artist that is really pushing the boundaries with Liquid Drum & Bass. I am not trying to fit into someone’s mold; I’m trying to carve my own way out of the genre. It is all about connecting with people who vibe with the sound.
Say two things about yourself that are true and one thing that is not.
Used to produce reggae bands, am terrified of flying, and once crowd-surfed at one of their concerts. Which thing is a lie? I suppose that’s for you to figure out!
Do you ever worry about people taking things the wrong way or cancel culture?
I mean, that is the tricky space in life, honestly. All the time, I think it’s important to be true to yourself and conscious of the fact that there are impressionable people who will look at your words, and the world will end up as it does. Everybody’s human; mistakes happen, but owning those mistakes and being able to learn from them really means everything.
Do you subscribe to any conspiracy theories? If not, why not?
Nah, not really my cup of tea. It’s better to focus on what I can control, like making music and being back with my audience. The universe has enough mystery without getting caught up in all that conspiracy stuff!
What was your best experience on stage?
There was this one gig where everything flowed-just the right crowd, the energy, the music-and everybody was in sync. It felt like we were moving. Moments like those make it all worth it-the late nights and endless hours in the studio.
What was the worst experience on stage for you?
Oh, for definite a few technical fails! Once, my in-ear monitors completely cut out in the middle of the set. So I just had to improvise the rest without hearing anything at all. Which mainly wasn’t ideal, but the crowd kept me going.
What is one thing you can tell us about yourself that people may not know?
Actually, I am sort of a homebody. With what people know me for, many think that I should always be out at gigs or parties, but really, nights in-trying out new recipes or diving deep into creative projects-really appeal to me. This is when some of my best ideas actually come to life.
What’s next, planned, on the way to get you to that other level as an artist?
I’m honing my live performances and new layers to the sound. Also, heavy storytelling, now taking people on a ride with each song.
I hear you’re working on new music. What can you tell us?
For sure, I’m super hyped. This new track, ‘Revitalise,’ fuses some deep melodies into that typical Liquid Drum & Bass vibe you’re used to. It’s all about those moments in life where you feel the need to renew and let go of what’s weighing you down. And that’s not all—I’m working on a couple of new tunes as we speak, exploring fresh sounds and new stories to tell.
How did it all go in the recording?
It was a mix of planned sessions and moments of inspiration striking at points in time. I really spent a lot of time working with textures and layers to make sure the track felt like an evolving journey.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
Definitely the balance between complexity and simplicity. It’s so easy to get caught up making things over-intricate, but sometimes the most impactful moments come from just stripping it back.
In retrospect, is there anything that you would do differently now that it is complete?
Honestly, it feels like its landed in a pretty great place. These things are never finished or perfect, and you can make little adjustments forever, but eventually, you’ve got to let the music breathe and speak for itself into listeners’ ears in its own way.
Anything else you might want to share with the world?
Just wanted to say huge thanks to all of you who have supported the journey thus far. Really can’t wait for you all to hear what’s coming next, and remember: music is connection-so keep reaching out, keep creating, and stay true to yourselves.
