Dua Lipa, Halsey, Olivia Rodrigo: what do they all have in common? They all participated in Ones To Watch, Live Nation’s music discovery platform, before they became truly global names.
So Ones To Watch headed to Melbourne for the very first time at the end of March, the three chosen artists were joining esteemed company.
PANIA, one of the fledgling stars of Australian R&B, self-taught multi-instrumentalist Mitch Santiago, and genre-bending Sydney singer-songwriter BOY SODA were given the ideal stage to showcase their burgeoning ability. The trio got to perform at the brand-new Live Nation HQ in Collingwood on March 29th, offering more proof of the current vitality of the country’s music scene.
Following their Ones To Watch performance, Rolling Stone AU/NZ caught up with two of the artists – BOY SODA and Mitch Santiago – to get to know them and their music better, which you can read below.
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BOY SODA
Rolling Stone AU/NZ: How did it feel to be chosen for Ones to Watch?
BOY SODA: Amazing to be seen and championed, especially when world class R&B gets overlooked a lot in Australia. Being on the list next to someone like P (PANIA), who is also pushing crazy R&B game, makes me feel confident that we’re contributing to the scene with our art, and that it’s being received by people who also love it as much as we do. It’s an opportunity I’m very grateful for.
Were you familiar with the other artists chosen for the series?
PANIA and I have been homies for a minute, I got so much love for her. With Mitch, it’ll be the first time we’re meeting, and how appropriate that our introductions will be in the form of playing music. I’ve only heard amazing things so I can’t wait to meet him and see him play.
Is there a particular Australian artist you think should be included in Ones to Watch next?
Go get Dean Brady!!!
How would you describe your music to a newcomer?
When an R&B mummy and a hip hop daddy love each other very much, they have a boy soda who also loves funk and neo-soul.
Which artists inspired your sound and style?
SZA gives me melody inspo, Frank Ocean inspires concise & honest songwriting, Lucky Daye and Miguel teach me a lot about tone and voicings.
Tell us about one of your latest releases.
I released a mixtape last December that I really love and it’s very reflective of the hybridity that my music possesses. In terms of genre, it showed a lot of sides of me, my favourite being “Anomaly”. It’s so lush and very indicative of the hopeless romantic lense that I enjoy seeing the world through.
And what’s coming up for you in the rest of the year? New music? Touring?
I’ve got a lot of music in the vault, and I’m in the process now of choosing what to give life to in this next cycle. I’m really enjoying the process of not rushing and trusting where my creative efforts are leading me. I think I know what the next songs are going to be now so I’m sure they’ll exist for you soon!
Mitch Santiago
Rolling Stone AU/NZ: How did it feel to be chosen for Ones to Watch?
Mitch Santiago: I was so keen; I did not expect it at all. I’ve always thought it was the best thing, to get your music in front of as many people as possible, to show people what you’re truly capable of. Getting the opportunity to do that in front of people that can seriously help you take your dreams and aspirations to the next level is insanity to me, I’m super grateful that I have even just been considered!
Were you familiar with the other artists chosen for the series?
I am familiar with the other artists. I got introduced to PANIA by seeing some posts that the guitarist on “P Stands 4 Playa” shared on his Instagram about the song, I remember hearing the teaser for it and pre-saving the song straight away… I found out about BOY SODA through Taj Ralph as they’ve done some work together previously and I’ve been a huge fan of Taj Ralph for a long time.
Is there a particular Australian artist you think should be included in Ones to Watch next?
I think South Summit should be up next. They really have something special going on in terms of their sound, and their live shows especially are just something else!
How would you describe your music to a newcomer?
I guess I would say it’s easy listening indie music, that’s emotionally derived, raw, and brutally honest.
Which artists inspired your sound and style?
Originally, I was massively inspired by Tash Sultana, and the way that they play live. I still play live in a very similar way, but to accommodate my sound I have put my own spin on things. More recently I started to gravitate more towards bands like Spacey Jane, Ocean Alley, and Sam Fender. One of my favourite bands at the moment is The War on Drugs, who I had heard of before, but I’d never thought to listen to, until I started getting compared to them, just the ways they weave everything together is so sick. It’s going to take me a while to wrap my head around how they do things.
Tell us about one of your latest releases.
I’ve started to become truthful and introspective with my songwriting, my most recent song “Figure Me Out” was no exception to that. It’s a very honest and personal depiction on being confused with yourself and not understanding, while at the same time feeling like you need to understand yourself for everyone else’s sake but not your own.
And what’s coming up for you in the rest of the year? New music? Touring?
This year is looking to be the biggest for me and my career so far. I’ve had the opportunity line up for me to go over to Europe and UK, to play Reeperbahn festival and some of my own shows, so I’m really excited for that trip. I’ve got plenty of new music coming out, and I’ll be playing heaps of shows! I’m just really excited to hone in on my craft and see where this can take me.
