Austrian-based Slovakian duo Mickey are Alex Konrad and Klemens Wihlidal, formerly (and possibly futurely) of SWIT favourites GIN GA and they have just released their debut album “Overtime” on Ink Music. I guess Alex’s vocals are immediately recognisable to anyone familiar with his past and the record certainly shares the GIN GA sense of fun. Well, let me tell you Overtime is an absolutely fantastic piece of work. Mixing effortless classic pop, indie, dance, and R&B the boys have made something really special. Sonically adventurous and full of clever little surprises this is one of the most coherent and original records I’ve heard in some time. A perfect combination of artifice and intellect – It’s just a delight from beginning to end! Stoked to have a short interview with Alex (it was done before the LP was released).
Is Mickey your first project outside of Gin Ga?
Yes.
We love Drive, is it representative of the new LP? Are you excited/nervous about the release?
Thank you! It is quite representative of the upcoming album, in sound and attitude.
Has Gin Ga officially broken up or will you be back together again?
As for now, we’re just enjoying the new projects and where they are taking us.
What precipitated the sabbatical?
I don’t know, I had these few song sketches, that were quite different to the stuff I did for the band, and somehow they did not fit in with the group. With Mickey it just is a new and different approach for me and Klemens. It’s more about pushing your own boundaries. And a lot of laughing…
What is your favourite song you’ve written?
I don’t know why but „Darkest Hour“ on the upcoming Mickey album is my most favourite; it just strikes a chord and takes me places.
What was the first piece of music you loved, and why?
I guess it was „We Will Rock You“ by Queen; I still love it: it’s utterly minimal, it sketches up a scenery within a split of a second, plus the guitar solo is just wuush.
What song by another artist do you wish you had written and why?
Mmm, it has to be „We Will Rock You“ again.
What artist(s) has been your biggest influence and in what way?
I love Monty Pythons Flying Circus and find it very inspiring, mainly because of the sheer amount of simple ideas, perspective-switching and breaking out of the format. I like the work of Banksy and how he manages to nail certain topics without further discussion needed.
Name a song that makes you happy and why does it have that effect?
„Tonight (with David Bowie) Live“ by Tina Turner. I just love her smile while she sings. We have a „Tina Fan T-Shirt“ in our merch.
What’s exciting you on the Austrian music scene these days?
That musicians here are way more confident then, say, 5 years ago. And that they rely more on who they are and where they come from rather than trying to „get-out“.
What’s your idea of success?
To do what I want and get paid. But first, do what I want.
What question would you like to be asked that you never are and what would your answer be?
Let’s play Basketball? Yesss!
What’s the best phrase you’ve picked up in another language?
In Slovakia they say: „Life is one of the hardest“.
Which of these activities are you most likely to be found doing: (a) baking a cake, (b) tinkering with a motorbike, (c) visiting a museum or (d) drinking whiskey?
First drinking whiskey and then off to the museum.
Does the path of excess lead to the palace of wisdom?
I like Blake, I often use his poems as placeholder lyrics when doing sketches. uuum, I think, if I was to visit the palace of wisdom, I would find the ones who came there on the path of excess more trustable…
Plus, another masterpiece for our gallery 🙂
super world indie tunes 