After performing to packed crowds across Australia and abroad in 2018, Motez today returns to club mode, delivering his latest certified banger “Where Have You Been”, a sonic exploration into his homeland of Iraq. Following his 2017 ARIA accredited GOLD hit “The Future” and most recently “Toggle” which received heavy rotation on triple J, “Where Have You Been” see’s Motez back to his club roots, representing the next big step in a year of new music from the much-loved Adelaide producer.
Also, he adds on the track “The vocals themselves were a big driver behind what I made because I fell in love with them, they’re a style of vocals called “maw’aal” from my home country of Iraq and they’re very specific to the south where my family comes from as they’re sung in a specific poetry style called “Aboothiyah”: a four-verse poem where the word at the end of every verse is the same but conveys a different meaning with each verse. I guess it was eventually an ode to my grandmother (who comes from that area) who passed away while I was working on it and it reminds me of her because she used to love to sing, she had a good voice. It’s my attempt to mix tribal drums, Iraqi vocals and synth driven tech”.
A testament to Motez’s enduring ability to deliver infectious club tracks, ‘Where Have You Been’ is no exception, an affectionate nod to his homeland of Iraq and comes as the first taste of new club music from the Baghdad-via-Adelaide artist.
We had the chance to ask some questions to Motez for the occasion, to talk about ‘Where Have You Been’, music, his future plans, and many more…
Hi, thanks for your time! Let’s begin with what you are up to at the moment? Where are you, what are you doing, what’s happening in Motez world?
Currently in my studio in Adelaide working on bits and pieces as per usual, the weather outside is glorious and I am stuck inside, but that’s one of the few bad things about doing what I do for a living.
You’ve made a great impression with the just-out banger ‘Where Have You Been’, inspired by your homeland. What’s your recipe to cook these treats ? Any inspirations ?
Thank you, I’m glad I was able to incorporate my heritage and family’s story in what I make. There usually isn’t any recipe as such, I always try to draw inspiration from real life events, try to make it a reflection of something more personal, a form of “catharsis” if you will, even if it’s an instrumental club track.
Following your inspirations, any artist you would love to work with ?
There are so many, hard to choose probably but off the top of my head I’d say people like Adana Twins, Lane 8, Ben Bohmer, Rex The Dog. As for singers I would love to work with Jordan Rakei and Kwabs.
What can we expect for the rest of the year, do you have some secret plans to share with us ?
All I can say is that I’ve been very, very busy over the last few months finishing off a tonne of tracks, hopefully you’ll start hearing some very soon.
Quick bonus-question, what makes a good party for Motez ?
A party where everybody attending wears a nightgown and dances to disco and house music, hence why I have started a series of parties in Adelaide called: Gown Like This (an ode to my song “Down Like This” with Tkay Maidza), you should check out our parties if you’re from Adelaide or visiting our city *wink wink*!
Motez’ hit ‘The Future’ featuring Antony & Cleopatra has amassed close to 20 million streams since its release, receiving support both worldwide from the likes of BBC Radio 1 and KCRW and hometown praise from community radio and triple j. On the stage, Motez continues to fill dance floors to capacity, last year undertaking a mammoth tour around the country and a string of North American summer shows.
Not only garnering the support of the industry, Motez has found himself consistently in the company of music’s finest, including Australian rap sensation Tkay Maidza on ‘Down Like This’, house maestro Wax Motif and West London’s MC Scrufizzer. His ingenious and innovative remixes for the likes of Goldlink, Disclosure and Ellie Goulding have earned him praise from dance icons such as Justin Martin, Diplo and Grammy Award winner Flume, as well as guest slots on globally renowned radio shows Diplo & Friends, Beats1 Radio and triple j Mix Up Exclusives.
A master of providing timeless dance hits that his peers can drop into their sets and fans can drop down to in the club, Motez continues to climb his way to the top as one of Australia’s most loved producers. ‘Where Have You Been’ enters the world today as the first taste of what’s to come in 2019.
