Monday, 27 August 2018

Artist Of The Week: Q&A With Spectoral



Hi everyone and welcome back to another Artist of the week: Q&A series.

It’s been so long but worth the wait to share with you all my special guest that I had the privilege in interviewing recently.

Andrew Bitto is singer-songwriter and record producer of Spectoral based in Melbourne Australia.

His genre is a mixture of Future Soul, Deep Indie R&B and Urban Pop.

Spectoral’s influences are quite eclectic such as Daniel Johns, The Weeknd, Etta Bond, Jamie Isaac, and River Tiber just to name a few.

In this exclusive interview Spectoral speaks right from the heart.
I have to say this is the first interview where I felt the rawness is that a word, well it is now in a very long time.

I have interviewed so many amazingly talented artists in my 4 years, but I have never come across someone who tells you their real story, no bullshit, but straight up honesty.

Check out Spectoral’s latest ‘Old Way Love’.

Please welcome my special guest Spectoral.

Please tell our readers who you are and where you’re from?
A: I’m from Australia, though I’m proud to have a pretty rare cross of Mauritian and Slovakian parentage.

What is the meaning behind the name of Spectoral?
A: It’s a bit of an enigma. As a little kid, I loved the idea of being seen as this unknown otherworldly hooded being and so I used this name online a lot.

When did you know you wanted to be a singer-songwriter?
A: Soon as I was given my first Yamaha keyboard and left to work out what all the buttons did and every sound it could make, I began to write instrumental music and slowly over time I realised my vocals would work over a lot of them.

You’re latest new single ‘Old Way Love’ has a smooth eclectic feel. What does this song mean to you? And what was the process like in bringing this song to life?
A: Thanks! Yeah ‘Old Way Love’ is this crossover where I wanted to mash up the soulful R&B world with textured electronic indie pop. Old rough demos of this song are really old though, the hook and chorus has been around since like…2010…and the lyrics are definitely personal to me. It’s been on my “gotta make this track someday” backburner for years, evolving over time like a lot of my ideas.

Each of the songs you have released over time, all have a story including ‘What You Want’. What was the inspiration behind them?
A: ‘What You Want’ is about my struggle as a creator who goes through bouts of intense self-doubt and depressive spells. Like most artists I talk my work and my image up and hide my insecurity from everyone and just keep fronting.
It’s an admission that I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing sometimes and dealing with all the doubts in my own head.
‘Old Way Love’ on the other hand is about the idea of coming to terms with not being with somebody you always saw yourself with, and learning to be cool with their happiness elsewhere, even if it hurts you.
Even though a lot of my tracks are about the idea of relationships, I guess I try to explore other parts that kinda don’t get written about as often, you know? Songs shouldn’t always be about the lust of just meeting someone new that you’re into, or about the catharsis of a break up.
There’s drama worth exploring in every part, even people who’ve been together for years. I released a crazy future-bass R&B song called ‘Forever’, recently with a producer named Johnny Moss, and that one’s made for couples who’re still going steady after years together…maybe one of them has some doubts about their partner getting over them but the song is super reassuring that thing can keep lasting.

Which song do you love singing when you’re up on that stage?
A: ‘Old Way Love’ and my newest single ‘Love Somebody Else’, are absolute jams to sing live, the crowd really get into them and I love that.

If you could describe your music in 5 words, what would it be?
A: Future Soul, Textured Indie Pop.

In the coming months what should we expect? An album release?
A: I just dropped a final single (Love Somebody Else) ahead of my long-time coming sophomore EP. That’s out next month and I’m soooo excited. Six tracks, all killer no filler. It’s called ‘An Incorruptible Dream’. Make sure you’re following on Spotify and Bandcamp for word of the drop.

Throughout your career to date, what has been the most memorable that you remember and why?
A: the last two live shows I’ve done have been incredible. We had a single launch last month at Horse Bazaar in Melbourne, followed by a huge production at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Hamer Hall a couple of weeks ago as part of an event called RESONATE. You can see some highlights on my Instagram (@spectoral)…totally the best shows of the year by far.

What would you like to say to your new and current fans?
A: Thanks for sticking around and being patient in the lead up to this EP, and for all of your support. It’s a struggle to build up a fanbase as an unsigned indie, but I adore all of my fans – new and old – for all the amazing things you say about my music. Keep spreading the word.

Thank you Andrew for doing this exclusive interview with me and sharing the love of music.

If you enjoyed this exclusive interview as much as I did you can purchase all of his music now on ITunes and you can listen on Spotify and SoundCloud.

Make sure to keep up to date on all things music by heading the artist’s website and social media.


Thank you all so much for your love and support and please do continue to support indie music. It’s your support that helps these artist’s to continue to produce good quality music for your easy listening.

See you all in my next entry!!

Much love to you all and ciao for now!
Hanan xx

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