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Despite what people might tell you about Home Brew being burdens on society, or advocates for drug dependency, you gotta respect the integrity of their independence and the diligence of their work ethic. In the last year they’ve been involved in three 5 star releases (At Peace, Max Marx, Last Week), nominated for the Vodafone Critics Choice Award, impregnated Petra Bagust and shaped the rules of the NZ Music Industry without a marketing director or legally recognized source of income.
Now, after three years of dedication and benefit fraud, they’ve finally completed a piece of work good enough to move them out of their Mum’s place; a debut double album conceptualized by the balance of life’s extremities. One side, light. the other, dark. A dichotomy of methadone and melancholy. Infinity and finality. With the album being released in Australia and a national tour to launch it in August we caught up with Home Brew’s producer Haz Beats.
What are your earliest memories of music?
Pretty much just sitting with my cousin’s while our family got pissed listening to old school bangers in the garage.
Describe growing up in New Zealand what was your first exposure to Hip Hop?
Just attending all gigs that Breakin Wreck Words crew used to put on back in the days, that exposed me to the realer side of music, like performing & interacting with the crowd. I was still in my bedroom making music at this time.
How did you all meet and when did the group first form?
Round about 07 I first met Tom & Silk but had been making music with Tom a year over the internet before I met him in person.
What 5 albums have influenced Home Brew as a group?
For me personally…Wu Tang 36 Chambers, Every Gangstarr album & a shit load of other shit, but all the local talent our city was producing kept me on my toes. Tom will probably have a more indepth view on what influenced him.
What are the pros and cons of being a musician in New Zealand?
Cons – Male groupies, Pros – Female groupies. #Laugh! Nah, travelling for free & seeing the crowds reactions is always cool also.
Your new album reached number 1 on the album charts in New Zealand why do you think this album compared to your other releases has been received so well commercially?
I thinks its us but a mature us. The songs are more about our surroundings of life etc & they’re more grown up songs now. Lol! Now its in the stores we have that chance to reach the masses outside our online fan base & I guess everyone has been waiting for us to release something physical.
Are you surprised by all the attention you have been getting how are you handling being in the spotlight?
A little.. I’ve handled the spotlight better then ever. I used to be a real dick when people approached me now I just treat them like a normal person as how I would like to be treated.
The album touches on a lot of personal stuff have you had any fallout from the people or things you speak on?
Some of the songs I had to mix during a messy breakup between me & my G/F & the song were talking about breaking up & it ate me up but I still managed to get it done in the end. Like our songs just became a reality for me.
Creatively how does the group work?
I make the beats & if Tom likes it he’ll write a song. Record it & move on to the next joint. No time to dwell on bangers when theres more bangers to be made.
Describe the Home Brew sound?
Honest & disorderly. Its definitely no BBQ music.
You all work on different projects such @Peace and Team Dynamite how do they differ from Home Brew and is hard at times to keep them separate?
Working with Dynamite & Brew is so easy man, like we’re all boys & we all work together to help each other out & keep our camp tight. The sound/lyrics might be a bit different but we’re talking about the same things most songs. Life shit.
What’s the biggest misconception about Home Brew?
Being the role models for the drunk cunts or druggies.
What inspires you to make music?
Being able to wake up & not have to work for the man.
Which artists would you most like to work with and why?
Anyone & everyone who has a good work ethic. We hate slack cunts.
You are about to come to Australia on your first headline tour what can we expect from your shows?
Live band music & and in your face stage presence. Heaps of crowd participation.
What are your thoughts on the Australian Hip Hop scene are there any artists you would like to work with?
I havent really had time to check out whats new but would love to work with M-Phazes.
What advice would you give to up and coming artists?
Work hard & be yourself, also find your sound & master it.
What does the future hold for Home Brew?
Bigger & better things & of course more OZ shows and would love to get over to Japan also.
What’s your definition of Grindin’?
Working my your ass off & getting shit done.