POP UP Sounds just announced their second event for 2018 and it’s expected to feature some of Melbourne’s most talented hip hop acts, with New Zealand-born, Melbourne-based artist, Merc Swazey, set to headline the event

The event series (curated by JY Management Group) provides local artists a platform to perform and showcase their music, while gaining more exposure within the Melbourne community.

With the event just over a month away, TLF invites you to get familiar with Merc Swazey, so we asked him a few questions about himself, his influences, his new EP ‘ Brick Country’, and what we can expect to see in the future. Check it out below.

(TLF) First off, tell us about yourself, who is Merc Swazey?
Merc: The most original, non-corny, swagged out, turnt up rapper in Australia that’s also got bars.

(TLF) Where do you draw your inspiration from? Who are some of your biggest influences when it comes to music?
Merc: Money girls clothes and drugs inspire me everyday. Or some or all of them at the same time. Gucci Mane is my biggest influence. I like how he has so much character and personality in his music. I always liked rappers with big personalities like Slick Rick, Sean P, ODB, Peewee Longway, Sauce Walka ect..

(TLF) You recently dropped a new EP, how did it all come together, what was the process behind the scenes like?
Merc: I’m kinda like Hunter S Thompson in that movie where he was traveling all over America doing drugs trying to write that article. Except, I like different drugs and I was trying to finish my bars on my way to the studio.

(TLF) You have a few collaborations on this project, tell us, how do these usually come together?
Merc: Well it starts with me using up all my good ideas on the first verse. Then I just send a lil’ demo with an open spot to someone I think is dope. I don’t like features usually, but these features came together easily and I really liked them all.

(TLF) With such a strong start to the year, what else can we expect to see from Merc Swazey in 2018?
Merc: Heaps of music, music videos and shows. I got a lot stacked up. I can say for now, look out for Trill’s new music video I feature on. It’s called ‘Basic Bitch‘ and the video is crazy good, I can’t wait for people to see that we levelled up on em’.

Listen to ‘Brick Country‘ now, available on both Apple Music and Spotify.

Support local artists and come through to the event at Grumpy’s, Fitzroy, on Friday the 1st of June. Early bird tickets are $5 or pay $10 at the door. Entry from 8pm.

For more information check out POP UP Sounds’ Facebook page.

Also, be sure to give Merc Swazey some love on his social media below:
Facebook: @merc.swazey
Instagram: @mercswazey
SoundCloud: @merc_swazey
Twitter: @MercSwazey

Written by,
~Timothy Thorpe
@timothythorpe47