Melbourne has long had a thriving, if quiet, bedroom RnB scene bubbling under the surface. Recently bobbing from the deep end is Karli White who's debut cassette Karli White's Childhood Scissors represents one of the darkest, and most interesting, facets of this sub-sub-scene.“Focus” is White's latest single from the release, and together with director Bronte Hall and choreographer Ben Snaath she has created an otherworldly, almost ritualistic dance clip to accompany it.We had a chat to Karli about the video that you can watch below.Noisey: The dance is choreographed by Ben Snaath, popularly known by his alter-ego Orlando Furious; how did you guys come to collaborate?
Karli White: Ben and I have been good mates since we met at Camp Doogs last year. I was telling him about the video project on the tram to a party, and he offered. I can't believe I didn't think to ask him. He's such a talented performance artist.Your cassette was entirely self-produced. How was the experience of working collaboratively with other people on the video?
I think I’d refrained from doing anything with music for so long because of a lack of confidence but since I've started this solo project I've found strength in my own opinions and taste, which has lead to a real drive in productivity and direction. Perhaps bringing this attitude to a collaborative project works the other way though because it’s so important to honour contributor’s ideas. Thankfully it's not really an issue when you work with people who you share common creative ideas and personal chemistry with because when you disagree, you talk about it.You've described the song as “post-apocalyptic RnB”, an accurate descriptor given the dark and sparsely arranged sounds. Was this a feeling that you set out to convey from the beginning, or just the natural evolution of the track?
It was absolutely intentional. I had found pretty firm ground in my style being dark and electronic but was looking to explore where that could go. I'd been listening to artists like Kučka and Jonny Telafone and was inspired by the way they took elements of RnB and created something peculiar and idiosyncratic. I spent a few weeks locked in my bedroom listening to Chicago house belting out diva vocal melodies and I'm pretty sure my housemates were equal parts irritated, confused and intrigued.The physical cassette release of 'Karli White's Childhood Scissors' through Comfort 35 is long sold-out, but you can grab a digital copy from Karli's Bandcamp.Catch Karli at the following Melbourne shows:
Oct 1 at Hugs & Kisses w/ Tomb Hanx, Cable Ties & Loobs
Oct 10 at Workers Club w/ Huntly and Youngs
Oct 31 at Goodtime Studios w/ Rites Wild, Jesse Dymmyck, Gaud & YawsSam Eckhardt is always dark on the dancefloor. Follow him here: @sjeckhardt
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Karli White: Ben and I have been good mates since we met at Camp Doogs last year. I was telling him about the video project on the tram to a party, and he offered. I can't believe I didn't think to ask him. He's such a talented performance artist.Your cassette was entirely self-produced. How was the experience of working collaboratively with other people on the video?
I think I’d refrained from doing anything with music for so long because of a lack of confidence but since I've started this solo project I've found strength in my own opinions and taste, which has lead to a real drive in productivity and direction. Perhaps bringing this attitude to a collaborative project works the other way though because it’s so important to honour contributor’s ideas. Thankfully it's not really an issue when you work with people who you share common creative ideas and personal chemistry with because when you disagree, you talk about it.You've described the song as “post-apocalyptic RnB”, an accurate descriptor given the dark and sparsely arranged sounds. Was this a feeling that you set out to convey from the beginning, or just the natural evolution of the track?
It was absolutely intentional. I had found pretty firm ground in my style being dark and electronic but was looking to explore where that could go. I'd been listening to artists like Kučka and Jonny Telafone and was inspired by the way they took elements of RnB and created something peculiar and idiosyncratic. I spent a few weeks locked in my bedroom listening to Chicago house belting out diva vocal melodies and I'm pretty sure my housemates were equal parts irritated, confused and intrigued.The physical cassette release of 'Karli White's Childhood Scissors' through Comfort 35 is long sold-out, but you can grab a digital copy from Karli's Bandcamp.Catch Karli at the following Melbourne shows:
Oct 1 at Hugs & Kisses w/ Tomb Hanx, Cable Ties & Loobs
Oct 10 at Workers Club w/ Huntly and Youngs
Oct 31 at Goodtime Studios w/ Rites Wild, Jesse Dymmyck, Gaud & YawsSam Eckhardt is always dark on the dancefloor. Follow him here: @sjeckhardt