Bedroom to world

Montell Pinny — stage name Montell2099 — has made a name for himself on the festival circuit and performed around the world. So what next for the boy from Katikati?

Who is Montell2099?

I'm an electronic artist from Tauranga. First started creating music when I was 12 . . . and haven't looked back since. I've been fortunate enough to travel around the world and DJ alongside making a living off my music, which was always something I dreamed about when I was younger.

How did the events of the past year and a half affect your music-making, and what has lockdown meant for the world of bedroom music in general?

I feel like I can speak for a lot of bedroom producers when I say the lockdown didn't have as big an effect on me because I've always been in ‘lockdown’. We tend to stay in small confined spaces with nothing but a laptop and speakers for a long period of time anyway.

How does playing live in New Zealand compare with overseas touring?

It's definitely special playing in front of home crowds. I find a lot of joy in playing festivals that I used to attend when I was younger, festivals like Mardi Gras, RNV and Bay Dreams. It’s full-circle moments like those that humble me because I can look into a crowd and tell myself only a couple of years ago I was in that crowd, now I'm playing music for them.

What one track should a new listener check out that best represents Montell2099?

I'd say the song Mixed Emotions which I produced alongside Belgium artist Netsky. That song holds a lot of sentimental value to me because I started the idea in my grandparents' studio in Katikati around the time of the first lockdown. The original name of the track was Katikati Dnb funnily enough. Was also a full-circle moment when we decided to create a music video that showed a lot of my family in front of our marae back home.

What one change would you make to the NZ music scene if you could?

Gender diversity within the music scene. I feel like there's a lot of room for improvement in this space. Would love to see more females and other genders being booked for shows, especially DJS!

What one artist would you love to work with and why?

Off the top of my head, Kanye West. I feel like if I lack inspiration I can always find it in his work. The variety of genres he taps into and the randomness of his music production is something I find very inspiring.

Outside music, what do you do to relax?

Usually, in my free time, I'm either playing basketball, playing video games or hiking.

What's the best thing to come out of Katikati?

Our small town is known for quite a few things actually. Katikati is the avocado capital so the avos must be up there with a title like that. We also have a renowned nudist park which is always a hot spot for people who like that sort of thing.

What next for Montell2099? What's happening in the rest of 2021 and 2022 and where do you see yourself in five years?

At the moment I'm working on my second EP which I'm wrapping up. I believe it's my best work yet so I can't wait to get it out. Also, I have an NZ tour planned next year which is exciting. Hopefully, in five years’ time, I'll still be in music doing what I'm doing right now. Maybe we can run this interview back in five years to see where I've got to — haha.

In a post-covid world, you're curating a music festival — who's on

the bill, alive or dead?

Michael Jackson, Prince are a must. Their shows production-wise are among the best ever. Travis Scott, Beyonce, Outkast, Kanye West, Erykah Badu, Sade, Don Toliver, Tame Impala, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Playboi Carti and Drake. On the more electronic side Daft Punk, Flume, Skrillex, SOPHIE,

Arca, RL Grime, Bicep, Gesaffelstein, Netsky, Dimension, Sub Focus, Wilkinson, Burial and Moodyman. A few other acts mk.gee, Prospa, Sault, Alix Perez, Leisure and Machine Drum. I feel like we would sell a few tickets with a lineup like this — haha.

Montell2099 will perform at Rhythm & Alps at Cardrona Valley, Wanaka, December 29-31 alongside Shapeshifter, Salmonella Dub, Kora and Tiki Taane.