Getting To Know... Bones In Butter

After spending the last few years knocking out a flurry of bold and bouncing offerings, Serbian artist Bones In Butter is now showcasing his diverse repertoire with the dynamic single 'They Live!'.

Inspired heavily by the sounds of the John Carpenter classic of the same name, 'They Live!' is an 80s-tinged nod to those driven retro vibes. Filled with killer riffs, pulsing rhythms, and a hunting demeanour throughout, you'll be humming this one long after you've first heard it.

So with the single available now, we sat down with him to find out more about his background and what has inspired him most over the years.

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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?

The first instrument I fell in love with was the piano we had at home. That was also the first instrument I made contact with. I really loved it but soon I learned to hate it because I was sort of forced by my parents to take piano lessons. Many years had to pass before I rediscovered my love for this instrument.

What kind of music did you love when you were younger?

Haha, basically the same as I do now. I haven’t evolved much in this regard. It all started with Suzi Quatro: She and her tight jeans outfit turned me into a conscious consumer of modern music. True story. Then there was the jazz and pop music of the 50s and 60s my parents used to constantly play at home. Later came the Beatles, Sparks, the Electric Light Orchestra and finally the punk, post-punk and new wave music of the late Seventies and early Eighties.

What was the first album you remember owning?

That was “A Hard Day’s Night” by the Beatles. It was a Christmas present.

What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?

There are several but since you ask me so nicely, I choose “I’ll Be Your Mirror” by the Velvet Underground.

Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?

Actually, I do. First there is a melody or riff floating around in my head. Or maybe some chords and progressions I recorded earlier and didn't know what to do with at that moment. Next I come up with an idea, i.e. the story I want to tell or a topic I want to sing about. Then I compose the music around it, with all its elements: intro, verse, chorus etc. Then, I write the lyrics in accordance with the song structure and finally, when the song is finished, I work out the musical and lyrical details.

Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?

For quite some time I’ve been totally fascinated with singer/songwriter Mitski. I think she’s an utterly inspiring and unique artist. I have the impression that every time I listen to her music, I discover something new, some detail I haven’t noticed before. I could listen to her music for hours without getting bored or tired.

Then there are these Irish dudes, Fontaines D.C. They’re so good. I guess if Joy Division and the Fall had a love child, it definitely would look and sound like them.

If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?

For Mitski.

What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?

On the one hand, it’s the notion of creating your own sonic world and to play God within this world without being blasphemous.

On the other hand, there’s all the positive feedback from listeners, there are certain reactions, some words that are so touching and inspiring that you realise your music means something to somebody else after all and you feel like you could keep on writing music, like, forever.

And what is the most frustrating part?

After working many many hours on a song, going to sleep enthusiastically and waking up the next day, only to find out that what you accomplished the day before isn’t that hot at all. You throw everything away and start from scratch.

And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?

As an upcoming artist just keep your hopes and expectations as low as possible and you can’t go wrong. Can’t remember who told me that, it definitely wasn’t a motivational speaker. But sarcasm always helped me keep things in perspective.

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Bones In Butter's single 'They Live!' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.