Minas - Grazes (EP) + 10 Questions
After the barnstorming success of his recent singles ‘The Public Ain’t Spoken’ and ‘Stress (Feat. Razkid)’, Greek/Welsh producer and musician MINAS has now released his eagerly-awaited new EP ‘Grazes’ alongside the pensive lead effort ‘Cutting Off’.
With two major across the pond festivals New Colossus Festival (NY) and SXSW (TX) on the horizon, MINAS continues to stand out from the crowd with his moody, intense punk rap - cementing a street poet status.
Led by the broad and atmospheric opener ‘Cutting Off’, his latest collection builds upon the dark and immersive aesthetic he has been building for himself the last few years, and adds to the electrifying reputation he looks set to bring to the rest of 2024 as well.
MINAS draws inspiration from the boredom and shenanigans that took place growing up in the circus with parents who were heavily involved in the 1980’s punk scene and holds a mirror up to society, trying to understand it. MINAS doesn't hold back from discussing heavy personal topics over a blend of spacey soundscapes and his aggressive, punk vocal delivery is reminiscent of IDLES’ blunt writing style and sound. As a respected producer, MINAS is working to build a new sound for the South Wales scene with a number of artists and genres; however, as an artist, he presents his own brutal honesty and lays open a vulnerability for all to hear.
Grazes EP is available to stream from the 9th February 2024 via Silent Kid Records.
Minas sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
My Dad and this box I had as a kid. Was all my parents old tapes which were proper random, from Nevermind to Doggystyle, Ray of Light to Fat of the Land. Those were my toys with this cheap plastic tape player thing for kids. I ended up getting a keyboard for Christmas one year with like a 5 track recorder in it and just started making whatever I felt like on it and writing stupid lyrics to whatever I made. We used to be part of the circus growing up so when I’d get pulled out of school to go on the road with them I’d just watch the live band the whole time thinking that’s gonna be me one day.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
Burial, The Prodigy and Deftones are big influences on me since a younger but recently it’s all kinds. I produce for a lot of artists who are constantly inspiring me, big one at the moment is Blackhaine and his whole crew, Rainy Miller and Space Afrika who put out a mad album recently. Would be sick to do something with them lot one day but all depends where life leads init.
3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?
After this EP ‘Grazes’ has had its moment there’s a few collab’ I’ve been doing in the background I’d love to put out. Working with other artists always gives me a chance to approach shit differently, then there’s just this new stuff I been toying with, really tryna take our sound somewhere else going forward.
4. How would you describe your sound?
This question always fries me a bit, especially cus some songs don’t match with the overall “sound” - it just mixes melody, noise, aggro, sadness, confusion, laughter, all of it. Kinda just depends on what the songs tryna say but I guess there’s always an element of rawness to it. If you’re into any punk or electronic music or grime or just feel shit as a human there’s probably something in it you’ll like but who knows.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
There’s been a few like it’s hard to rank them but one that comes to mind is we got booked a couple years ago to play this family festival in rural Wales, it was deffo booked by someone who didn’t really know who we were and what we were about. We end up kicking off the show like we do and it was like all the families stood up, kids going mad and that. Next thing one of the stage crew comes racing round backstage saying “you need to stop swearing right now” - by then I really knew they hadn’t even bothered to check us out when booking so I asked the crowd “we’ve been told to stop swearing” and got a massive “fuck no” in response. No shade to the other bands who played but clearly they felt like they were watching something real which was big for us. Turns out most of them were old school punks, I’m always unsure about using the word punk anymore as it’s been butchered to death but getting a head nod from people who were there during the real punk movement was huge for us. Amazing comments from a load of them after we were gassed.
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
Don’t get caught up in the bullshit of it if you’re an artist who uses music to be vulnerable and express your truth. Nowadays it’s vile out there, you gotta be a content creator, marketing guru, online way more than is healthy and it’s destroying art. I had a major breakdown last year and almost didn’t come back from it because of how much I’m struggling with this shit but there is a way to make it work for you. Just prioritise what’s really important, making shit you care about because the moment you start letting your head obsess with what other people think of you, your art, your online presence you’re on the road to chaos and not chaos in the fun way.
7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?
I mentioned them in that other question, Blackhaine, Rainy Miller, Space Afrika. But locally to me I’d have to shout out Sorry Stacy and Kitty - they’re making madness and it’s pure creativity and an absolute joy and wonder to listen to. They inspire me every time I hear or see them. I’ll always shout out my brothers in Shlug too and some of the best talents in the UK, Figo, Razkid, Freddy Forbidden and Noah Bouchard.
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
A Grisaille Wedding, again by Rainy Miller and Space Afrika. trip9love…??? by Tirzah, Armour II by Blackhaine, The Chaos by Foxxglove, Tamaraebi’s entire discography and Only Constant by GEL.
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
Boxing training, cooking a madness and gaming when I’m behaving and not out for pints.
10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
A good cuppa, procrastination and a window, can’t be dealing with them dark studios with mad lighting.