NXTSTYLE’s 2020 Songs of the Summer: Bootleg Rascal “Oh so Cool”

August 25, 2020

INTRODUCING NXTSTYLE’S ‘SONGS OF THE SUMMER,’ HIGHLIGHTING OUR FAVORITE TRACKS WE’VE DISCOVERED THIS SUMMER. OVER 70 SONGS FROM NEW AND INDEPENDENT ARTISTS FORM OUR SUMMER 2020 SOUNDTRACK. TODAY WE FEATURE BOOTLEG RASCAL. THE AUSTRALIA N HAVE A REALLY DYNAMIC SOUND MIXING A REBELLIOUS ALTERNATIVE ROCK SOUND WITH FLARES OF HIP HOP TO CREATE A HIGH-CHARGED STYLE OF MUSIC AS SEEN IN THEIR LATEST SINGLE. LEARN MORE ABOUT BOOTLEG RASCAL THE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC SCENE AND MORE IN OUR FEATURED INTERVIEW.

“OH SO COOL” IS DYNAMIC SINGLE THAT TAKES ON A REBELLIOUS TONE. TAKE US BEHIND THE CREATION OF THE SONG AND YOUR CONNECTION TO IT.

To be honest, this one was really rushed when I was writing it. We had to have a certain number of demos to pick for this current EP. So, the weekend before the deadline I locked myself away and in a very big rush got down three pretty solid tracks, one of them being “Oh so Cool”. Out of all the songs, this one is probably the closest to the original form. When Jimmy (guitarist) and myself came together to work on it we didn’t change much. Jimmy added his lemony zest to the cocktail, spiced up the guitars and voila! We had a Booty Banger! Side note: this was written on a Sunday very hungover, so when you listen to the lyrics have that in mind.

Bootleg Rascal · Oh So Cool

THERE’S SO MUCH TO THIS SONG THAT WOULD WORK WELL IN A COMMERCIAL FOR A BRAND LIKE BUD LIGHT OR RED BULL. IF YOU HAD A CHOICE, WHAT WOULD BE THE ULTIMATE SYNC PLACEMENT FOR “OH SO COOL”?

I’m the biggest F1 fan! So, the first thing that comes to mind is a commercial of Daniel Ricciardo fanging his McLaren around the track to this song. If that actually happened, it would probably make me cry.

I LOVE THE FUSION OF ROCK, RAP AND REGGAE YOU GUYS USE THROUGHOUT YOUR MUSIC. YOUR STYLE REALLY STANDS OUT ESPECIALLY ON YOUR LATEST. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE ARTISTRY BEHIND BOOTLEG RASCAL AND WHAT YOU WANT TO BRING TO FANS? ARE THERE ANY ARTISTS THAT YOU LOOK UP TO THAT PLAY AN INFLUENCE ON THE BAND?

There is a saying here in Australia “Throwing shit against at a wall, and seeing what sticks”, which potentially has negative connotations, as it might imply you have no idea what you’re doing. In this context though, it is about experimenting with our sound and seeing what works. Jim and myself have such diverse influences from jazz, rock, hip-hop and R&B.

So, when we write together, we are hearing different things. Sometimes we throw something at the wall that definitely doesn’t stick, but I always think it’s better trying and knowing it doesn’t fit then not knowing at all. Do everything that is wrong and you should be left with everything that is right. I think a huge influence for us has always been the Gorillaz, especially the way they have been able to do just that; mix the unexpected / join the irregular.

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BOOTLEG RASCAL

WITH MORE DOWN TIME THIS YEAR DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, PEOPLE HAVE PLACED THEIR ENERGY ON THINGS THEY PREVIOUSLY DIDN’T HAVE TIME TO FOCUS ON. WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU’VE BEEN ABLE TO CONNECT WITH THAT YOU WOULDN’T NORMALLY HAVE TIME FOR OR EVEN THINK ABOUT?

During all this time I actually moved states here in Australia. For the first time in my life I’m living by myself and to say the least, it has been interesting! Being alone especially has given me so much more time with myself to really reflect on what my past looks like and what I want my future to look like. “What really defines my success?” Is a question that I have been asking myself a lot. I think that is important! Not just for any artist but anyone really, because that question is intrinsically connected to the root of our happiness. Looking into ourselves is so important and something we don’t do enough. All of us are so affected by other people’s opinions and that vision of success gets so skewed with their expectations. I think it’s so good that we all get a chance to focus that vision and stay true to ourselves.

IT IS NO SECRET HOW MUCH WE LOVE THE MUSIC COMING FROM AUSTRALIA. AS A BAND WHO RESIDES IN AUSTRALIA GIVE US YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE MUSIC SCENE IN THE REGION AND THEIR SUPPORT FOR YOUR MUSIC. ARE THERE ANY AUSTRALIAN ARTISTS YOU LOVE THAT WE SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR?

The beautiful thing is how small it is here still compared to other parts of the world, which always has its upsides and downsides. But one of the greatest things is the artist community and the way that we all support each other within that. Festivals in Australia are always amazing thanks to our weather and scenery, so I can’t wait for all that to come back. But the Australian music scene still doesn’t feel like it’s even started to show the world what we got, there are some crazy artists coming up, check out Saint Lane, A.GIRL and Sampa The Great. Look at their related artists and that will begin your journey down the rabbit hole.

OF THE TALENTED ARTISTS, SONGWRITERS, AND PRODUCERS OUT THERE IS THERE SOMEONE YOU WOULD REALLY LOVE TO COLLABORATE WITH NEXT?

You always have dream collaborations, and I definitely have a few. I watch T-Pain on his Twitch stream, and I feel like he is my spirit animal and would love to be in a studio with that man!! Timberland is a huge influence. Winston Surfshirt is an Aussie artist that is killing it, and another great artist I would love to do a song with.

FAST FORWARD SEVERAL MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD. THE VACCINE IS HERE, AMERICA HAS FULLY OPENED! WHAT’S FIRST ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

First stop New York! On tour we pretty much spent all our spare time at the gutter bowling alley and bar. Second stop, L.A. and I would just lose myself for a little. After that, I would go to Yosemite to recover for like a week.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT FROM YOU FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2020?

More music. We have been releasing a new song every month since COVID-19 started as part of our ‘Collaborations of Very Isolated Delinquents ‘19′ EP. Hopefully we get to do some shows at some point and also continue the interactive stuff we’ve been doing with our fans online like bingo, guitar lessons etc. The one good thing during this time has been the ability to really connect with fans in an intimate way.

Father Chris Riley’s ‘Youth off the streets schools’ look after kids in foster care or kids that have fallen out of the school system. They go to this school where people can focus on what the students really need. I worked with a charity called The Blue Guitar Project and we went into these schools, running workshops encouraging creativity in any form as an escape, to keep them on the right path. I think it’s so important to be influencing the younger generations in the best way that we all can.

BOOTLEG RASCAL’S

SONGS OF THE SUMMER

1) Saint Lane “When Did We Grow Up”: Awesome song, very laid-back great way to start your morning!
2) Anderson .Paak “Lockdown”: This man can do no wrong, just enjoy.
3) Glass Animals “Your Love (Déjà Vu)”: Giving me the biggest Timberland JT vibe and I like it….
4) Fat Freddy’s Drop “Ernie”: An oldie but a goodie! This track always makes any day instantly better.
5) ONEFOUR ft. A$AP Ferg “Say it Again”: The best of Sydney’s west with one of the best from the US. What more can one say?

Listen to all of our featured artist’s favorite songs of the summer on our special Spotify playlist.

BROWSE ALL OF OUR ‘SONGS OF THE SUMMER’ INTERVIEWS

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THE ‘NEXT IN MUSIC’ PLAYLIST

Discover a wide range of new music we love from artists located all across the world. Follow the ‘NEXT in Music’ playlist on Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud.