Jeremy Toy played guitar in a New Zealand punk band that I dug many moons ago. He moved on to a variety of other musical projects including the soul and jazz Opensouls. His current musical outlet She’s So Rad, a duo that also features Anji Sami, leans more to indie rock/pop stylings.But very varied indie/rock pop stylings.Their second album Tango, that we are premiering below, includes tracks such as the opening “Levels’ that pops with Skittles like sugary sweetness, the shimmering and cinematic synths of “Cool It”, to the moody and brooding shoegaziness of “Away”.We sent Jeremy some questions and he sent us some answers along with the new album.
Noisey: You know how important it is categorize music! Ha! How would you describe the music on your second album?
Jeremy Toy: I'm going to say there is more hip hop influence on the record than any other genre but for some reason it didn't come out sounding like that. Was “Cool It” the obvious single? It’s a big song but there are other strong tracks on the album. Do you have plans to release another single?
“Cool It” really jumped out as soon as Anji wrote it. Anji writes a killer song, her process is one of constant refinement of ideas but the initial intent always carries through to the end. We are having trouble picking another single, I personally love the track we have done with David Dallas “Say The Word”, it is the most polarising of the songs on the record but I think we achieved a new, wholly original sound with that song, originality doesn't always scream out as a single but I am very pumped on that song.You are also a DJ. What is your favourite track that you are playing at the moment?
There is one particular track that I can't mention as Dam Funk asked me to keep it quiet. Other than that there is a song by Bobby Caldwell called “Down For The Third Time” that I can not get enough of. It always bugs me out how many people feel that track when I play it. Do you have a favourite Hall and Oates song?
I'm gonna say “Sara Smile”- purely because I absolutely love the Eric Gale version. What is the best thing about Auckland at the moment?
The best thing about Auckland at this moment is that I just heard a rat rustling in the corner of my studio.
Jeremy Toy: I'm going to say there is more hip hop influence on the record than any other genre but for some reason it didn't come out sounding like that. Was “Cool It” the obvious single? It’s a big song but there are other strong tracks on the album. Do you have plans to release another single?
“Cool It” really jumped out as soon as Anji wrote it. Anji writes a killer song, her process is one of constant refinement of ideas but the initial intent always carries through to the end. We are having trouble picking another single, I personally love the track we have done with David Dallas “Say The Word”, it is the most polarising of the songs on the record but I think we achieved a new, wholly original sound with that song, originality doesn't always scream out as a single but I am very pumped on that song.You are also a DJ. What is your favourite track that you are playing at the moment?
There is one particular track that I can't mention as Dam Funk asked me to keep it quiet. Other than that there is a song by Bobby Caldwell called “Down For The Third Time” that I can not get enough of. It always bugs me out how many people feel that track when I play it. Do you have a favourite Hall and Oates song?
I'm gonna say “Sara Smile”- purely because I absolutely love the Eric Gale version. What is the best thing about Auckland at the moment?
The best thing about Auckland at this moment is that I just heard a rat rustling in the corner of my studio.
'Tango' will available May 15 through From the Crate records and Muzai.