Thanks to Jasper and Jesse from Naarm skramz outfit Keratin for taking the time to answer a few questions about their influences and inspirations for how they approach song writing and life.
1. Hiya, what's your preferred name and pronouns, and whose country do you live on?
Ello, I’m Jasper and I live on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung land.
Hey! I’m Jesse & I live on the Wurunderji Land in Naarm.
2. What was the first album that you bought with your own money?
Jasper: The first album I bought was a cassette tape of Speaking in tongues by Talking Heads. I got it from a country market when I was 8 years old. Still holds down.
Jesse: Honestly, the first album I think I bought was the So Fresh Hits of Spring, 2001 issue. A killer era that’s for sure.
3. What was the first album or artist that got you in to heavier/more abrasive music?
Jasper: The first heavy band I got into was definitely Dystopia. It was during high school so I was pissed off at nothing. Their political heavy writing and homelessness made them hard as hell for me.
Jesse: I think my first introduction to heavier music were hardcore bands like Earth Crisis, Gather, Parkway Drive etc. which a friend at the time had put me on to. I think from there, what really stuck in terms of the heavier and abrasive music outside of that style of hardcore was a festival back in Brisbane called Live and Let DIY in 07’ or 08’, which sort of introduced me to the whole crust and d-beat sound, as well as a bunch of screamo bands like Quiet Steps, To The North and James Dean which really set me on the trajectory of emo/screamo. From then on, I was delving deeper and deeper into that genre and really started noticing and finding all these cool bands doing something different and something I hadn’t really experienced before.
4. What artist or album do you think has really helped to shape your approach to song writing?
Jasper: Every song I’ve obsessed with in the past I still don’t know the lyrics for. I’ve always gone off what the other members of Keratin do as inspiration for lyrics and past personal experiences. Vocal inspiration would be Neil Perry, Indian Summer and Breeds There A Man…?
Jesse: I’ve always loved bands like Funeral Diner, …Who Calls So Loud, Raein, Envy, Spirit of Versailles and I think that's always stuck for me in the sense of coming from a guitar and song writing perspective. Those bands for me are the staples and a decade later, I’m still revisiting often.
5. What artist or album would you say has most influenced your personal philosophies? Or who has helped to shape your approach to the world?
Jasper: Cliche but my friends/family and people I surround myself with guide me and encourage me everyday. I don’t hang with wankers.
Jesse: I honestly think my introduction to hardcore/punk and then emo. It's a pretty generic and broad statement, but mostly for me, those scenes really informed and influenced me in regard to my own personal outlook. I think overall it's had a pretty big impact on me personally. I think those initial influences were really amplified from being involved in the local scene and community as I got more and more into it. Specifically the bands we get to play with and are constantly engaged with through just playing and attending shows. Bands like TWAAG, Gil Cerrone, World Sick and a lot of other bands who are really pushing for DIY ethics, community, diversity and inclusivity in the scene.
6. What artist or album have you been listening to the most recently?
Jasper: I’ve been bumping Phafner again. Incredible drug induced rock n roll band from the 70’s. If you haven’t heard, get amongst it
Jesse: Lately I’ve been listening to a bunch of different stuff. The new World Sick - Timing is Everything, Teethe - Magic Of The Sale, Sun Run - Brick Six, They Are Gutting a Body of Water - LOTTO, Soccer.- Internet and I’ve been listening to a bunch of Ostraca again.
Thanks again to Jasper and Jesse for taking the time to share some of the music and influences that's helped to bring us Keratin.
Keratin: Bandcamp / Instragram