What We’ve Been Listening To: Future Static

Future Static is an alternative-heavy band from Melbourne, Australia, and their latest single ‘Gasolina’ is a turbo-charged, metal-infused rendition of Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Yankee’s 2004 hit.

Amidst blistering riffs and thunderous drums, front woman Amariah Cook’s vocals are a highlight of the single, as she flawlessly navigates between Spanish and English, with her fluency in both languages adding a distinctive layer to the tracks aesthetic, creating a chaotic experience.

The idea for this cover was born from a home-grown charity vinyl release concept by Future Static guitarist Ryan Qualizza. However, the project blossomed into an intricate fusion of cultures and genres, with Amariah taking the lead – who grew up in the L’Hospitalet de Llobregat district on the outskirts of Barcelona – steeped in both metal and reggaeton influences.

FUTURE STATIC TOUR DATES:
WED 20 SEPT – SAT 23 SEPT | REEPERBAHN FESTIVAL, HAMBURG, GERMANY
FRI 29 SEPT – SUN 1 OCT | EUROBLAST FESTIVAL, COLOGNE, GERMANY

Future Static’s version of ‘Gasolina’ is an electrifying, magnetic force, that highlights the best of Amariah’s vocals. A convergence of languages, cultures, and musical genres, this cover not only pays homage to the past but also reinforces the band’s solid togetherness as a unit. To celebrate the release of the single, Ryan and Amariah took part in the latest series of “What We’ve Been Listening To” on Eat This Music.

Connect with Future Static: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Who is Future Static and how did the namesake come about?

Future Static is a five-piece band from Naarm/Melbourne, creating a synthesis of alternative, melodic and progressive music. The namesake came about from just a couple of words in a notebook, but it’s come to represent what we represent in a musical sense. Combining the melodic sensibilities of alternative music that we grew up on, and the heavy elements of modern artists.

What artists or bands are on your must-listen to list lately and why?

Starve is a Naarm band we’ve had the pleasure of sharing the stage with on many occasions now, and they are a must listen for lovers and hardcore and breakdowns. Quite simply, if you want the most crushing yet insightful slam that Melbourne has to offer, accept no substitute.

When you go into the recording studio to work on new material, what are your must-haves?

We’re pretty spartan when it comes to the studio, we’re there to work and create, so it’s usually just instruments, water, coffee, and a few brains full of ideas.

Which song, or songs, of yours would you recommend to a first-time listener and why?

For a first-time listener, we’d recommend our single Waves, it’s a good representation of what we do. It’s got a strong melodic focus while maintaining the heavy elements. It’s a pretty good introduction to the band before getting into some of our heavier work.

Which song of someone’s else’s (artist or band) would you have liked to feature on and why?

If I had to choose only one, it’d be ‘Granite’ by Sleep Token. Apart from being obsessed with their incredible melodies, heavy riffs and intricate drum fills ever since they released ‘Sundowning’, it’s also because the register the singer uses is a comfortable octave below my higher range. I also found a very pretty adlib harmony in the second pre-chorus which works well with the main vocal line. If you’d like to hear it, I posted a vocal harmony cover on my reels on Instagram.

What led you into becoming a musician(s) and why do you keep making music?

As a band and individuals, we all have a passion for creativity, and making music. We all come from different backgrounds, but we got into music from around the same young age. We keep making music because we love it, simple as that, and it makes it easier when you love the people, you’re making it with too.