1. Your roots can often shape your journey. Can you share a story or moment from your early life that had a significant impact on your path into music?
DJ chookylightningfrog: I kallen a man will be answering questions today as The Authorised Representative For DJ chookylightningfrog and any styles or variations thereof. Hi world hows it hanging? Well music wise I loved Pantera Sepultura, Slayer, Nirvana, like seriously the 90s were epic and very special if I can define the 90s as a moment the 90s defined me musically and im very greatful for that as I don’t think theres been a moment like the 90s. Haha, yes I am using 90s as a moment and im here to bring that energy back which I feel is well overdue. It’s a massive statement but fuck it nothing happens by sitting back n waiting ,so guys and gals get behind me on this we gonna bring it. Yeeew!
2. Did your musical journey begin with formal training, or was it more of a personal exploration? How has that shaped your unique approach to your craft?
DJ chookylightningfrog: DJ chookylightningfrog:kallen:Bro formal training not a chance I spent like a year just getting my equipment to work. Honestly I am as contacorous as they come I have battled to get my shit together for years and no I have never ever known how to work things properly and still don’t I struggle with tech it’s a pain in my ass untill it works then im off and running and then theres no stopping me. Im completely self taught and to be honest its been a hard road, its kind of like doing hard training that no one else has, then jumping into the ring, your gonna be unique and interesting and entertaining one way or another, haha im definitely.You know people will come just to watch you get flogged but if you don’t go down and you go the distance, well that’s the thing of legends. Im going no where except to the top of the charts. If there was ever an underdog that’s me except im the overdog and yeah coming in like mohommed ali and swinging as violently as tyson and ive got the hardest jaw that eats lifes punches and walks straight through. Hahaha who let me speak haha.
3. Who were some of the most influential figures in your early musical life, and how did they inspire your sound? Also, what’s the story behind choosing the name DJ chookylightningfrog’?
DJ chookylightningfrog:kallen: I love Max Cavalier and now I think of it I have his hair style from back in the day or maybe a cross of Max and Rob Zombie who is another great influence and a pioneer in a sence of electric metal /rock. I mean Max Cavalier and Sepultura were just so powerful with the music, I love it still to this day. His vocals and messages were raw, and unfiltered. The name was me talking to mates at a bush party and yeah I said you will see DJ lightningfrog here soon and there was/is a DJ lightningfrog in Brisbane I have mates that call me chooky so the best way to remedy was to create DJ chookylightningfrog. Ive gotta mention Kurt Cobain and the way he came out to stage munted hahaha epic legend, that not give a fuck attitude is certainly within my music. If I ever get put into a wheel chair and pushed out to the deck wearing a hospital gown or similar cos im so fucked up, just know I did it for you guys/gals/its and Im going in deep into the unknown. As long as the sounds there that would be epic, however im too original to copy but I do respect him for that. Thanks Kurt you Epic legend, Thanks Max Thanks Rob, Inspirational
4. What do you believe sets your music apart? How would you describe your sound to someone discovering you for the first time, and what emotions or experiences do you hope to evoke in your listeners?
DJ chookylightningfrog:kallen: Awesome question thankyou, what sets me apart is my mind and life experiences, I can tell you straight that comes through my music and cannot be hidden, my humour is a major part of my music and I find it very difficult to hide, my expressions are natural and raw, ruthless and yet sofistcated enough to fit and tell a storey. The music is all intertwined into a larger story and always growing and the characters are quite often based off experiences places, people, groups or even types of marine life that live in the river, I wish to evoke a deeper thinking, laughter, movement and overall love and unity. I wish to raise peoples vibrations so much that they can put my music on and remedy a bad day or situation, giving them a different path moving forward, one that is more guenuine to whom they truly are or wish to be.To someone discovering my music for the first time hmm I would say start at the beginning with “pissrings epics” and then “barnacle jetty” soundcloud has these then go to the top and yeah its almost unexplainable. Its definitely a new sound in the sence that “flathead” is not alone in its uniqueness and well I should say new sounds. Ive been told im the genre destroyer as I honestly do not limit myself to what im susposed to like and or be, I basically just send it in many directions so yeah check it out and yeah its musical freedom.
5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as EDM?
DJ chookylightningfrog: kallen:Yeah nothing like that at all I have probably annoyed so many mates for years making garbage that I loved. I knew it was part of the process and always enjoyed the journey no matter how it presented itself. My self belief and selfishness to not conform to others expectations is exactly what sets me apart, I always had a knack for writing and find it very intriguing so it was always about self exploration and yeah theres no way but the way it is, was and will be. Going to bush parties was the transition to electric music for me, it was just too cool and awesome, I also have had some trippy experiences meeting the universe that gave me a clear message that we are to dance with the universe once a week like we are children, as dance is the univesal language and the way to be forever young at heart. That’s when I got my Dj equipment together as I felt that message surpassed anything and everything in the sence of its more significant than all the other bullshit that goes on in this life we all experience.
6. Music often transcends entertainment. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
DJ chookylightningfrog:kallen: Yes ofcouse and well as you can see I operate in commerce differently because I am a man and unincorperated. This is something that spiritually I must maintain. Not just spiritually either its about being true to myself/thyself and standing in truth upon the rock or land and soil. I do not wish to influence or compete with anyone I simply wish to be authentic in my self first and foremost and express myself in the form of music. People or Persons can make their own minds up and live their lives as they wish to, however I do express myself freely and I do have my own beleifs and if people are inspired or influenced by me that’s also their decision and I will respect all and any as long as they are not causing harm, injury or loss to others. I mean id love to be the driving force behind a revolution and The Pissring king character does exactly this by pissing perfect pissrings so I suspose you could say the music is my pissrings and I wish to do perfect pissrings. Haha guys if you havent already it’s a must listen the”pissrings epics” album..
7. Do you feel the rewards of your musical career match the energy and passion you invest in it, or are there different kinds of fulfillment you’re still seeking?
DJ chookylightningfrogkallen: mate my career is just beginning ,fulfillment wise ive done this and shared this to raise and uplift the vibrations and moods by making others laugh. I have had no profits at all I am putting myself out there to see what I can do and experimenting and learning as I go. I have made others smile and connected with them through music that’s my fulfillment. I have had visions so real of playing in front of 100s of thousands whom ive connected with and the pure emotions and energy I feel through it is so amazing that it almost breaks me in a good way which to be honest is the only way I truly break emotionally. So yes the fullfillment is there and I think everyone has had that good break down where an act of kindness breaks you so hard it cannot be contained. Haha your probaly asking yourselves is this the man that created flathead. Well I did say im unique and interesting.
8. Can you walk us through your creative process? From the first spark of an idea to the finished track, what’s the most essential part of your process, and how do collaboration or external influences shape your work?
DJ chookylightningfrog:kallen: This is a great question and its very intriguing to myself also how I create music. I have no real methods that I stick to although I will tell you that the pissring king only came into creation less than 3 months ago and is now one of my most influential charactors in my musical story that Ive been releasing recently. I have combined the pissring king into older stories to create a whole new creative landscape based around river creatures and flathead is one of those also and his character has already influenced the music so it’s a broad based freeflow of experimental concepts that create more concepts. I also must say that there is no better way than freestyling and my freestyling has helped me to realise the moment is more powerful than anything so being in the present whilst creating the future present is essential in my mysterious methodolgy. In saying this I have no idea whats coming out when I freestyle nor could I tell you where its heading next It’s a beautiful thing and I believe theres more to it that’s not easily innerstood. So if its like that for me then yeah its gonna be really weird to others also.
9. What’s been the most challenging hurdle in either your personal life or music career, and how has it shaped you as an artist?
DJ chookylightningfrog:kallen:straight up using technology, its been this struggle that’s overcomed by will power ,persistence and disregard for failures. Its always been a struggle and as an independent creator that’s self taught an ongoing challenge.Like theres so much barriers I must get through and none of this has been simple besides myself. I struggle in what im doing and its this struggle that has taught me. Its this struggle that continues to shape my journey and I shall continue to struggle until im not. I am probaly the most stubborn man on earth in the sence of pushing on no matter what, whilst using what you can when you can however you can. The funny thing is im actually very intelligent but im glad in a way that im old fashioned in many things and I know im not alone on this one. Shout out to all those legends. All the young techy brains out there get around these old fashioned people and help them because if it came to the crunch they are the real ones that will help you if shit gets real.
10. On the flip side, what moment or achievement in your career so far has made you feel the proudest, and why? And let’s talk about your latest release and future plans.
DJ chookylightningfrog:kallen: I must say just putting together a vinal record album “pissrings epics”. For myself I felt like it was an amazing thing and in a sence its just so epic in itself. Honestly there is nothing else like it and if there is please tell me so I can listen to it. It was this feeling of wow I did that, I made that exist and I honestly love it. When I said earlier I havent made any profits I havent seen the sales either so yeah its in its toddler phase learning to walk fast wishing to run. I have recently added “barnacle jetty” the second album to the vinal collection which is also just so unique in itself and im very proud of them both. They actually equal themselves out in listens which tells me. Its not just a random fluke and to keep on this. My latest release is amazing and my favorite called “all day long”. However we are talking about “flathead” no doubt and I must say I love it. It is another unique raw expression turned into music. I have no doubt that it will connect with a unique group of listeners and expand my fanbase just because of its uniqueness. I have recently made another track featuring phil fhathead called “my name is flathead” I honestly have been going hard and loving it and I will continue chipping away whenever I can with whatever I can however I can. Big love to all lets send it and anyone doing a world tour looking for something special here I am.
