Best Friends

When it came to putting together his second release, ‘Marked For Death’, the aim of Adelaide-born MC Vents was simple: “Just make a better album”.

It’s been four years since his debut ‘Hard To Kill’ and a modest Vents finds it hard to look back. “Yeah I can’t even sit through the first one now. It’s kind of difficult to listen to, you know, because it’s so old … it’s a bit cringe-worthy.”

Never shying from contentious topics, his lyrics on ‘Marked For Death’ flow from politics to personal struggles, from economic inequality to ecstasy use. “I really just write what I think about, I guess … it’s just thoughts going on in my head. I probably should be writing more love songs,” he laughs.

There are exceptions though, as with the track ‘F.T.M.’. “It was Remembrance Day and I was watching TV and they were plugging navy and military armed forces ads all day and I remember just being like, ‘What?! Are you serious?’ That’s how that one came out.”

Vents lyrics are framed by the smooth production of his long-term friend Trials. The Funkoars member has been kept busy of late also producing work for Drapht, Ash Grunwald and Abbe May amongst others. “I’ve known Trials since I was 17 or 18, so that’s like ten or 11 years … he’s really important to me just in life anyway and it’s just really lucky to have one of the best producers in the country. I lucked out. We’re best friends as well.”

He’s also very happy to be on a new label, the Hilltop Hoods owned Golden Era. “I’m on a label that gives a shit about me, and yeah, it’s really nice. I want to put out more records ‘cause it’s actually been a good experience. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s never smooth sailing putting out a record, but yeah, it’s been great.”

Performing live is what it’s all about and Vents is looking forward to the Brisbane stop on his ‘Rollin Balls’ tour. He’s got fond memories of his last visit. “The last time I performed in Brisbane it would have been 2009 with the Hilltop Hoods. We did like 5,000 people, yeah, The Big Top … that was maybe the biggest crowd I’ve ever played to.”

 VENTS PLAYS THE STEP INN JULY 22.