Having last year dropped a monumental EP almost out of nowhere, Golden Features just backed up the hype by turning on god-mode with his follow-up EP XXIV, and we have the stream to prove it. His darkened four-track triumph is here in full, with brooding bass-lines continually filling the void in today's house music scene.We managed to steal some time with the man behind the mask in the wake of his almost tour to talk all things creative and the inspirations behind his huge, haunting sound.THUMP: How would you describe XXIV compared to the first EP?
Golden Features: It's a refined version of the first. Kind of like the first EP was the foreplay for this one.You've mentioned that you were into arts prior to music, What was your career path before you became Golden Features?
I treated graffiti like a job until I was 19, it was literally all I did. I used to do odd jobs just to get by like painting commissions and working at a paint supply store. When I was 20, I did a degree in interior architecture but it wasn't for me.We heard a lot of honesty in your music from your self-titled EP. How do you manage such transparency?
The first EP came from frustration. I was working with somebody else at the time and we both had ideas about what the music should sound like. I started making the Golden Features stuff as an escape from that, it was never intended for release so I wasn't trying to impress anybody.Your meaty-creeper tunes have become somewhat of a signature for you. Where do you get your inspiration for such beats and how did you develop your sound?
I've always gravitated to moody, dark sounds, I think it's just a part of who I am. I was listening to a bunch of house but it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. There was a gap for me so I tried to fill it.You've mentioned that one of your greatest inspirations to get into music was The Presets, Cut Copy and Midnight Juggernauts, is there any talk about working with these guys or any Australian artists in the future?
Yeah, mainly The Presets. Their music will always be special to me because it was my coming of age soundtrack. I'd drop everything to work with The Presets but shit has got to feel natural; sometimes you click with people in the studio and sometimes you don't. It's usually best not to force it.The first two tracks, "Baxter" and "No One," have been out in the world, what is the vibe for the other two tracks on the EP?
The third track is called "Telescope" which features K.Flay who I've wanted on a track since I first heard her music. I sent the track over and it came back perfect, I've never had that before, where somebody just nails it first time. The last one is called "Do You" and it's for messy club moments.With anonymity behind you and future live shows on the cards; are you feeling mask-on or mask-off?
I hate the mask and I love it. I never want to be that dude mumbling behind a mask in interviews trying desperately to keep people guessing who they are just so people continue giving a shit. For me it's just a piece of jewelry. Some people flex on watches and chains, I've got a gold faceplate.Golden Features is Huge in Australia Right Now - But Who Is He?The Sydney scene is quite big for EDM. Who has been a great mentor throughout your journey to the top?
I haven't had a lot of mentoring really. I lived with the Peking Duk guys for a year and their work ethic and guidance was everything to me. They're my brothers and I owe them a lot.As far as remixes go, if you could pick any track to play with, which one would it be?
It changes day to day, but today it'd be Brodinski's "Can't Help Myself"What can we expect from your future XXIV EP live shows?
It's not so much a live show as it is a DJ set with a big, choreographed lighting rig. I want to push into a full live show eventually, but I won't touch on it until I'm comfortable it will sound as good if not better than the DJ set.With such success from your debut EP, who now is begging to collaborate with you?
It's not really like that. Anybody I end up working with is the result of being friends prior to working together.It seemed like your first EP came out super fast, how long does it take for you to smash out a track? Do you feel like you've nailed your style as opposed to the older "big room" vibes?
The first EP took two or three months. This last EP took forever, like 12 months or something. I probably wrote ten complete tracks but then cut all the fat. The project was taking off while I was writing it, so it was hard to get out of my own head and just make what I was feeling…second release syndrome or something.You mentioned that graffiti is something close to you. Do you still paint?
I painted on my last tour once or twice, but that was the first time in four or five years. It's definitely in my past now.Australia is fast becoming known for housing big EDM players in the scene right now. How does it feel to be a part of the movement?
Feels like I was in the right place at the right time. It's a trip.Golden Features tours Australia this July before coming stateside to play HARD Summer in Los Angeles this August.Golden Features on SoundCloud // Facebook // Twitter
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Golden Features: It's a refined version of the first. Kind of like the first EP was the foreplay for this one.You've mentioned that you were into arts prior to music, What was your career path before you became Golden Features?
I treated graffiti like a job until I was 19, it was literally all I did. I used to do odd jobs just to get by like painting commissions and working at a paint supply store. When I was 20, I did a degree in interior architecture but it wasn't for me.We heard a lot of honesty in your music from your self-titled EP. How do you manage such transparency?
The first EP came from frustration. I was working with somebody else at the time and we both had ideas about what the music should sound like. I started making the Golden Features stuff as an escape from that, it was never intended for release so I wasn't trying to impress anybody.Your meaty-creeper tunes have become somewhat of a signature for you. Where do you get your inspiration for such beats and how did you develop your sound?
I've always gravitated to moody, dark sounds, I think it's just a part of who I am. I was listening to a bunch of house but it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. There was a gap for me so I tried to fill it.You've mentioned that one of your greatest inspirations to get into music was The Presets, Cut Copy and Midnight Juggernauts, is there any talk about working with these guys or any Australian artists in the future?
Yeah, mainly The Presets. Their music will always be special to me because it was my coming of age soundtrack. I'd drop everything to work with The Presets but shit has got to feel natural; sometimes you click with people in the studio and sometimes you don't. It's usually best not to force it.
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The third track is called "Telescope" which features K.Flay who I've wanted on a track since I first heard her music. I sent the track over and it came back perfect, I've never had that before, where somebody just nails it first time. The last one is called "Do You" and it's for messy club moments.With anonymity behind you and future live shows on the cards; are you feeling mask-on or mask-off?
I hate the mask and I love it. I never want to be that dude mumbling behind a mask in interviews trying desperately to keep people guessing who they are just so people continue giving a shit. For me it's just a piece of jewelry. Some people flex on watches and chains, I've got a gold faceplate.Golden Features is Huge in Australia Right Now - But Who Is He?The Sydney scene is quite big for EDM. Who has been a great mentor throughout your journey to the top?
I haven't had a lot of mentoring really. I lived with the Peking Duk guys for a year and their work ethic and guidance was everything to me. They're my brothers and I owe them a lot.As far as remixes go, if you could pick any track to play with, which one would it be?
It changes day to day, but today it'd be Brodinski's "Can't Help Myself"What can we expect from your future XXIV EP live shows?
It's not so much a live show as it is a DJ set with a big, choreographed lighting rig. I want to push into a full live show eventually, but I won't touch on it until I'm comfortable it will sound as good if not better than the DJ set.
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It's not really like that. Anybody I end up working with is the result of being friends prior to working together.It seemed like your first EP came out super fast, how long does it take for you to smash out a track? Do you feel like you've nailed your style as opposed to the older "big room" vibes?
The first EP took two or three months. This last EP took forever, like 12 months or something. I probably wrote ten complete tracks but then cut all the fat. The project was taking off while I was writing it, so it was hard to get out of my own head and just make what I was feeling…second release syndrome or something.You mentioned that graffiti is something close to you. Do you still paint?
I painted on my last tour once or twice, but that was the first time in four or five years. It's definitely in my past now.Australia is fast becoming known for housing big EDM players in the scene right now. How does it feel to be a part of the movement?
Feels like I was in the right place at the right time. It's a trip.Golden Features tours Australia this July before coming stateside to play HARD Summer in Los Angeles this August.Golden Features on SoundCloud // Facebook // Twitter