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Music

Christopher Port's "Bump" is Classic UK Garage, Straight out of Melbourne

The track signals Melbourne-label Pieater's first foray into electronic dance. And it's bloody good.
Photo by Angie Pai, courtesy of the artist

Melbourne-based producer Christopher Port has, in the past, worked with I'lls, Airling and #1 Dads. Next month sees his first release as a solo artist, an EP titled "Vetement", which signals label Pieater's first foray into electronic garage. And it's bloody good.

"Bump" is the first single from the EP, influenced heavily by UK Garage and the likes of Hessle Audio. The track sheds light on Port's incredible skills as a beatmaker and producer, and indicates super promising things from "Vetement," which features appearances from Airling and Simon Lam.

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To celebrate its release we asked the up-and-comer a few questions. Listen to the exclusive premiere of "Bump" below.


THUMP: So this is your first solo release. Congratulations, it's great.

Christopher Port: Thanks so much! Yeah I'm super excited for people to hear it.

How much more pressure is it being the only person behind the music?

It is a bit more pressure, particularly because this is my first proper release. But when I make music nowadays I try to sort of split myself into two. One part of me works pretty unconsciously, just letting stuff happen and just experimenting. While the other part of me thinks it all sucks and I need to work harder to refine it all. So somewhere in between these two is hopefully some sort of balance.

Do you prefer working alone?

If you'd asked me 2 years ago I would have said no, but now I like working on my own just as much as collaborating. I'm lucky enough to have a lot of amazing people around me though, who I constantly show stuff to as it progresses. I don't ever want my music to exist in a bubble.

Where do you tend to work?

I've always worked on my own stuff from home. I tried to expand my home studio set up a while ago and just found that my music got worse. Now I know I need some restrictions in my workflow and a framework for me to feel creative.

What are you listening to right now?

A lot of what I listen to the most is demos and tracks my friends send me. Burial and Four Tet are always staples though. But most recently I've been listening to lots of the Hessle Audio and Hemlock label out of the UK, stuff like Pearson Sound, Blawan and Randomer.

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Vetement is really different to the other bands you perform with, what inspired the direction of your solo stuff?

I started making music of my own about 4 years ago, back when I was playing Drums in I'lls. At that time we were all listening to heaps UK Garage and 2 Step stuff. So that had a huge influence on me right from the start. However, I do feel that all the bands I perform with influence what I do, some in more obvious ways than others.

What themes and experiences behind the record stick out for you?

I think balancing the two polar opposite sides of my creative personality and just trying to serve myself and serve the music as best I can.

"Vetement" tracklist:

  • Bump
  • Heavens
  • Before (feat. Airling)
  • Even
  • Go Start

Christopher Port opens for Kllo Saturday May 14 at The Toff in Melbourne, and "Vetement" comes out on Pieater Wednesday July 15.