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The Eighth Note: Scapegoat MERCY

‘The Eighth Note’ is 8 quick Questions with Wellington Musicians.

A chance for us to catch up with people & see what they’re up to, or introduce you to a new musician/band and their music.

Today’s guest is Hamish Kokaua, who records under the name Scapegoat MERCY in a variety of contexts and collaborations on Soundcloud.

Who are you? Tell us a bit about your music:
I’m Scapegoat MERCY, birthname Hamish Kokaua. My music has been through a variety of musical phases but it’s consistently informed by hip-hop and RnB I’ve listened to over my existence and my awkward influences of nu-metal, IDM and jazz. This extends to my production for other artists aswell. Pretty loose to be honest.

What have you been working on lately? Any new tracks or albums on the way?
I’m always working on something – it’s habitual. I am releasing something on Thursday (14/3) that’s stupidly upbeat with one of my favourite up and comers Waguan. It’s an upbeat summer tinged hip-hop track called Fly Away. I am also working on a very low-key RNB/Soul E.P with cxlm which will be out in the next few weeks. Apart from that I also have my album releasing near the end of this year which has been a personal passion project of mine for the last few years (basically since I moved to Wellington). You’ll hear about it when it drops. A track with Dharmarat from Christchurch and a few features with TUMAINI and VINE which are exciting. Lots of stuff.

Where is the best place people can follow you & find your music?
Scapegoat MERCY is a pretty specific name so its easy to find on Soundcloud, Insta or Facebook. Whatever whets your social appetite.

What were the 3 most influential albums to you growing up?
There are so many – off the top of my head they are Timbaland, Trent Reznor and Lorn. There’s always a good mixture flowing through the speakers and annoying my neighbours.

Which other Wellington musician (s) would you most like to work with?
Wellington is small and we are all on each other radars which is awesome. Some people I haven’t worked with yet are Natenotsorry, Sugar the Playboy and uhhh LBFRmikey & DUB A.. soon though – trust.

What’s your favourite Wellington venue to play in?
I think my favourite that i have played in is uhh Meow. Im trying to promote a show that’s a bit of a different venue but ill keep that under wraps until the weather gets a bit cooler.

In your songwriting or composing (or the band’s songwriting) how do the compositions and songs take shape?
I usually make or mess with a synth sound or a sample. Add drums. Bass. Add lots of percs. Mix. Refine. Usually i wait for vocals to add the structure because I’ve moved away from purely instrumental stuff. If it’s my personal stuff with vocals I’d start with a hook and then write to the beat pretty quickly – for me the vocals need to just come straight from the feels – i’m admittedly not the best songwriter hahahaha

Where/when is your next gig?
I don’t have any in the foreseeable future to be honest – I’ve been meaning to work on my live set a bit so now I’ve got the time. A lot of releases though. It’s more my vibe.


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