NUNU by Clever Austin

Introducing Clever Austin’s NUNU mixtape: a collection of deep, meditative ideas dedicated to the joy found in learning new instruments (Side A, guitar/Side B, piano) and an addendum to his debut album Pareidolia. Shades of soul, ambient and classical feels permeate the two sides.

Available digitally and on limited edition cassette tape, NUNU is steeped in the same percussive, organic tones as its predecessor, equally suitable for slow mornings and hazy nights as it is must-have sample fodder for any skilled beatmaker.

Clever Austin has proven himself a key figure within Australia’s current soulful upsurge; not only Hiatus Kaiyote’s drummer but a self-taught, multi-instrumentalist producer with enviable, Grammy-nominated credits (Shafiq Husayn, Hiatus Kaiyote, Sampa The Great, Horatia Luna, Silentjay).

About his new creation, he explains: “When I first learn to play an instrument I can find it really satisfying and meditative to just play something over and over again”.

In this case, each side is dedicated to his experiments with guitar (Side A) and piano (Side B). Influence comes from as far-flung as South Indian classical musician, Mehdi Hasaan, on the first side to the therapeutic sounds of Bill Evans, Eric Satay, Simon Mavin (Hiatus Kaiyote), Debussy and the Romantic period of classical music on the flip.

“It’s all about understanding the sonic range of an instrument which can eventually result in a ‘Pareidolia’ type project, where I’m putting all my experiences of learning singular instruments into one greater whole.”

Pareidolia was widely praised by a varied cohort of music lovers; from dancefloor heads like Osunlade, Volcov, Theo Parrish, Mafalda and Sassy J to repeated radio support from the likes of Erica McKoy (WWFM), Moses Boyd, Gilles Peterson, Benji B, KCRW, Lefto and Mary Anne Hobbs.

Since releasing Pareidolia, Clever Austin has been busy touring the record around Europe and America in support of bandmates Nai Palm and Hiatus Kaiyote while also making music. His recent credits are an ode to his versatility — from key contributions to Theo Parrish’s joyous, dancefloor-ready Sound Signature release 'What You Gonna Ask For' to a feature on Gilles Peterson’s celebrated 'Sunny Side Up' compilation, which shone light on the dynamic, DIY sounds coming out of Melbourne.

A must have for anyone in need of sincere music, encouragement for any musician dedicated to diving deeper.

© Touching Bass / All rights reserved, bun Babylon.

Clever Austin (born Perrin Moss) is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist and producer and 1/4 of Hiatus Kaiyote. He and his Found Heads studio is currently based in Melbourne.