UPBEAT RETURN
DANAELLA WIVELL ALASDAIR Murray is sitting on cloud nine after kicking off his national tour under the stage name Illy.
The rapper says it’s “unreal” to be 13 shows into a 40-show tour.
“It’s been great to travel across the country and play so many shows,” he says.
“It comes in bursts of intensity where we have a big line-up of shows, and then there’s a little bit of space to relax before the next gig.”
He says the Far North will be his last big burst before things start to settle down.
“It can get pretty tiring to be switched on all the time, but I’ve been looking forward to this tour for a long time so it’s worth it,” he says.
“We’ve been playing a lot of the songs off It’s myself, a drummer, and a DJ on stage. We also have one of the best light shows, if I do say so myself.”
He says getting hyped up for the shows is easy with
which he released in 2016.
“I love this album, I think it’s my favourite and it’s definitely my best work,” he says. “I’m more focused, more experienced and I think I’m a lot more confident than I used to be.”
He says exploring different genres and appreciating top 40 music made a huge difference in his approach to the new album.
“I obviously have a lot of hip hop influence but recently I can see how the trends with electro music and pop have influenced me,” he says.
“I’m not talking about sugary sweet pop, but really well-written popular music like Lorde or Halsey.”
He says that influence is going to spill over to a new album, which he’s already working on.
“I’m writing new songs all the time and there are a few I’m happy with, so I’ll hold onto them,” he says.
It’s been a few years since Illy was last up our way, playing The Jack on New Year’s Eve 2014.
“The show looks like it’s going to sell out, which is pretty exciting,” he says.
“I love coming up to North Queensland, it’s beautiful there – particularly because it’s freezing where I live in Victoria.
“I’m going to spend a bit of time in Cairns this time around to see the sites and relax there a little.”
Illy will play The Jack next Thursday for an adults-only show.