STACK #138 Apr 2016

MUSIC FEATURE

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THE ARE

Enduring trio Hilltop Hoods are taking their orchestral project Drinking From The Sun,Walking Under Stars Restrung on the road this month; MC Pressure discusses that ambitious self-punishment with Zoë Radas. HILLS ALIVE MC Pressure admits there may be some stress-related messing of pants involved in the lead-up to much money there,” he chortles. “Of course you always hope that it will be [successful], but we were far more confident coming into this Restrung than the last one.” The meshing of those two domains – was worth,” he says. “The instrument is owned by someone else – I don’t know, some Duke in the 17 th century commissioned some artisan to have it made – and [the violinist] is sponsored

the Hilltop Hoods’ 50-piece orchestral tour endeavour this month – but despite the evolution of the ’Restrung’ concept, which they’ve trod before, he almost feels like a professional this time around. “I used to make the mistake, when I was younger, of reading message boards,” the buoyant rapper tells us. “It was soul destroying, I tell you. There was all these people on there saying ‘F-uck, you’re making a classical album, you sell-outs.’ Who do you think we’re selling out to, the classical scene? ‘Cause there’s so

and entrusted to play it. It’s essentially a museum piece. Some of these violins are worth millions, literally. They’ve got their own backstory and you’re thinking, ‘Oh my God, can you see this rusty microphone that I’m rapping into? Yeah, it’s… just a microphone.’” The boys will be performing with

classical and hip hop – has been an ongoing, illuminating exercise for the enduring three- piece. “[The classical scene] is so different from the realm in which we exist as hip hop artists,” Pressure explains. “I definitely know I have a lot to learn still, even after working with them twice.” He remains floored by the history and scope of the cultural arena in which these musicians operate: “I just fell off my chair when they told me how much one of the lady’s violins

the symphonic orchestras of each Australian capital city they visit, as they traverse the country;

MUSIC

APRIL 2016

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