‘Accomplished pianist’ is a phrase loaded with baggage. Add the fact that Luke Benge grew up in New Zealand on a diet of Christian music to the many lonely hours he spent on a piano stool and other phrases such as “beaten by bullies” and “beaten savagely by bullies” come to mind.But Benge has turned out OK. Using the alias Lucola Bang, he performs as Rohypnotise and crafts some seriously cool exploratory dream pop that relies heavily on analogue synth and vocal melody.Having taken his music from the studio to various stages in Melbourne, Berlin and New York City he’s about to release his self-titled debut EP on Hi Scores Recording Library records (Young Magic, Blank Capsule).We caught up with Benge/Bang/Rohypnotise to try and find out more about his debut.Noisey: Is it true that you requested a convenience store in Berlin to play your track in-store as a way to self motivate yourself?
Luke Benge: That sounds made up. But these days airplay at a local convenience store is the Holy Grail for any self respecting musician.Is the difference between 'gospel' music and 'Christian' music sad poor people playing on a porch and happy middle class people playing in an auditorium?
Hah, you nailed it. It’s perhaps a bit racist though.One of the tracks is called “Final Boarding Call”. Is it about moving/relocating? Are you reinvigorated about moving or is it becoming a pain?
No, I thoroughly enjoy the nether regions of planet earth, but as my friend Rhys Mitchell once said, "Wherever you go, there you are." However that song is about babes. Must I interpret every metaphor?How did you hook up with your label Hi Scores Recordings?
James and I met in the abortion clinic waiting room and I slipped him my demo, he said it really brightened up his day.What do you have coming up?
I am currently working on a Christmas album for Jews.
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Luke Benge: That sounds made up. But these days airplay at a local convenience store is the Holy Grail for any self respecting musician.Is the difference between 'gospel' music and 'Christian' music sad poor people playing on a porch and happy middle class people playing in an auditorium?
Hah, you nailed it. It’s perhaps a bit racist though.One of the tracks is called “Final Boarding Call”. Is it about moving/relocating? Are you reinvigorated about moving or is it becoming a pain?
No, I thoroughly enjoy the nether regions of planet earth, but as my friend Rhys Mitchell once said, "Wherever you go, there you are." However that song is about babes. Must I interpret every metaphor?How did you hook up with your label Hi Scores Recordings?
James and I met in the abortion clinic waiting room and I slipped him my demo, he said it really brightened up his day.What do you have coming up?
I am currently working on a Christmas album for Jews.
Rohypnotise’s debut EP is available September 19 on Hi Scores Recording Company. Pre-order here.