Pikachunes is the new(ish) solo project of former Tiger Tones member Miles McDougall. This moniker seems fitting, as the (fictional) animal it’s named after is yellow with black stripes, kinda like a Tiger – see the connection? We recently talked with the Lil’ Chief signee and found out he’s not afraid of the Disco tag and that skateboarding can be a dangerous yet fruitful past time.
Hey Miles, how’s it goin?
I'm good, just helping my family in Christchurch with the earthquake after math. (note: this written a week after the quake).
How have you found your move from Christchurch to Auckland?
It’s been really amazing. A nice shift in pace and great to start a fresh.
Do you find that the whole Party/Electronic sound is getting a better response now than it has recently?
I guess so. Party/Electronic is a fairly broad sort of term. I mean we could be talking Lady Gaga through to Scooter. Electronic music, I think will always have a certain popularity across the board in all its many manifestations.
What got you into music?
I'm not entirely sure if there is a defining moment, however for as long as I can remember I've wanted to be a musician, and I guess with the support of my parents (both financially and morally) I've had the opportunity to live out those goals.
What gave you the idea for Pikachunes?
I broke my arm quite badly skateboarding, which required surgery. This happened to be right in the middle of me studying towards a Bachelor of Music, majoring in drums. So being out of action I turned my time to properly learning the digital side of music production.
What other bands/projects have you been involved in?
I played as part of the Tiger Tones up until our recent split only last month. Other than that I've always produced my own music just for my own satisfaction.
How would you describe your sound?
I would say that my sound is very Disco orientated, specifically modern disco. I also like to put a strong focus on heavy beats and Lyrical content.
What are you listening to at the moment?
At the moment I've been making my way through the Kitsune Maison compilations. Also a lot of Memory Tapes and Chromeo.
Are those artists having an effect on your current sound? Or is it simply pleasure?
I guess everything I listen to has some sort of an effect on the music I end up making. But Kitsune, as a label, has always been a huge influence for me.
What is your writing/recording process?
I like to write whilst I'm recording. Being a drummer I tend to start with a simple beat that I later adjust. Then move onto bass to complete a rhythm section. Then synth and finally vocals. I try to keep things pretty simple and approach recording as I would if I were recording to Four Track.
Your Dream Collaboration?
James Murphy, 100%. True legend.
You recently released an EP, tell us a bit about it....
This was just a bit of fun really. It was a self released, self recorded E.P that I decided to just chuck out there and there and see what the response would be. It's ended up serving me well and helped me get my name out there a little bit more. It also enabled me to send my work to people and has since led to a signing with Lil' Chief Records.
Working on any other releases at the moment?
The album will be out mid to late October on Lil' Chief Records. I'm extremely happy with the final product and am looking forward to getting out there and performing it.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learnt musically in the last year?
The necessity and process of developing some sort of individuality in your own music. Making the music you want to play and not the music your being told to play.
What’s the best concert you have ever been to?
6 hours in the boiler room to watch Hot Chip, Simian Mobile Disco and Prodigy.
Best or most memorable gig you have played?
Campus A Low Hum 2010, playing in the pool as part of the Tiger Tones. So beautiful.
If you could share the stage with anyone (band or person) who would it be?
I would love to play with/as part of Kraftwerk.
Most overrated band at the moment?
Florence and The Machine
Most underrated band at the moment?
Memory Tapes.
The future holds…?
Oz, then The US.
The state of music in NZ is….
Starting a fresh. The musical recession is coming to a close and New Zealand has a lot of new talent to pull us back to where we should be sitting.
