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CLYPSO: "Anything worth doing takes a long time"

5 June 2018 | 6:07 pm | Emma Jones

Ahead of Purple Sneakers Twelfth Birthday party, we get to know rising star CLYPSO to talk her beginnings, collaborations and whats still to come!

Sydney's CLYPSO has to be one of the most exciting artists to pop up on our radar in some time. Having arrived in style with her jungle polyrhythms and SANTIGOLD-influenced vocals on her debut single, 'YOLO', last year, she's truly gone from strength to strength.

With three other singles now behind her including the raucous and infectious collaboration with KWAME on 'Middle Ground', as well as jumping on a PACES single, sharing studio time with the likes of RIBONGIA and PNAU, playing LISTEN OUT and most recently being announced as one of the supports for WHAT SO NOT's enormous album tour, it's safe to say the CLYPSO train is going full speed ahead.

We've had our eye on CLYPSO for a while now, so we are incredibly excited to have her join us celebrating our Twelfth Birthday on June 16, presented by VIVID Sydney and FBi Radio. We got to know her a little better which you can check out below and don't forget to grab the last few remaining tickets for Purple Sneakers Twelfth Birthday to catch her alongside DRO CAREY, RAINBOW CHAN, THANDI PHOENIX, ANNIE BASS, ALTA, LOVE DELUXE and loads more HERE.

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A LOT has happened since you released YOLO - I’m curious to know, what’s been the biggest thing for you on a personal level?

I get a buzz that people dig the songs. It always surprises me when people throw their support and get behind the whole CLYPSO thing in whatever way, whether it’s radio or coming up to me after a show or fan DMs. That means a lot to me.

You’ve said your main focus is the instrumentation and the beat. What inspires you or influences you with these beats?

I’ve grown up in a multimusical and multicultural environment and I can hear the sounds and beats seeping through into everything I make now. It’s wild.

You happened upon Kwame really unintentionally where he saw you perform, then you saw him perform, and he came to mind when you were putting together ‘Middle Ground’. What was it about Kwame’s style that you saw in your own music?

I feel Kwame is stylistically quirky and multi faceted...wow multi everything seems to be the running theme here haha! I knew he’d throw himself into a fearless double time with engaging lyrical content. I just knew it had to be him.

Can we expect more collaborative tracks from you in the future based off how successful ‘Middle Ground’ has been?

I’d love to feature other people on more of my tracks. If it fits the song and the stars align I’d be up for it for sure.

You spent some time last year working with some really big names like PNAU, Ribongia, Basenji and more - what was something you took away from this experience that you’ve been able to put into your own work?

All the artists I’ve been in the studio with have been really generous and open and if anything, I came away from the experiences thinking it doesn’t matter how big or small you are, the same insecurities exist and that anything worthwhile doing takes a long time and lots of work.

What advice would you give to your 12-year-old self?

Don’t lose sleep over a bad haircut. It grows back and then at least you’ve got funny photos.

You’ve just been announced as one of the supports for What So Not’s Australian tour, congratulations! What else can we expect from you this year?

Thank you! Things seem to change week to week so I’m not sure what to expect! The only sure thing is that I’ll be releasing music whenever possible.

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Vivid Sydney and FBi Radio Present Purple Sneakers Twelfth Birthday

Date: Saturday 16th June 2017

Venue: The Lansdowne

Time: 6pm – 3am

Address: 2-6 City Road, Chippendale, Sydney

Price: $22.00 + BF. Tickets available here

Lineup in alphabetical order:

ALL MY FRIENDS DJS

ALTA 

ANNIE BASS

CLYPSO

DRO CAREY (DJ SET)

ISA

LEX DELUXE

LOVE DELUXE (DJ SET)

PURPLE SNEAKERS DJS

RAINBOW CHAN

SANDRO DALLARMI

SLIM SET

SPORTS

SWYTCH DJS

THANDI PHOENIX

#PS12

Intro by Emma Jones

Image: Jonno Revanche

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