Dobby is back with new energy and an upcoming album. The Filipino and Murrawarri composer, rapper, producer and drummer has announced the release of his second album, MARSHMALLOW. With his most recent single Good For Nothing on repeat, we spoke to the artist about writing the new project and what we can expect:

We love your recent single. Tell us about the catalyst for it. Where and when did you begin writing it? What was inspiring you?

I wrote Good For Nothing seven years ago in an Airbnb in Paris. This song is very much inspired by my young self, and details an ongoing conversation between younger me and older me now.

What do you hope people take away from listening to this track?

I hope ‘Good For Nothing’ provokes you to ask what horrible things you tell yourself even now in your current day self, and I hope you ask yourself to pinpoint exactly where this criticising self-talk came from.

You’ve also announced your next album MARSHMALLOW. Tell us about this title!

MARSHMALLOW is a time-travel concept rap album born from my journey to reconnect with my inner child. Inspired by the 1960's Stanford University Marshmallow Experiment, as well as my unreleased 2009 project The Royal Flame, this deeply personal project weaves together themes of willpower, mental health, and artistic growth to tell a story spanning ten years of reflection, fear, and self-discovery.

How do you think you have evolved as a writer and also sonically on this album when you think back to your debut album?

So much. This is an entirely different story yet somewhat interconnected. MARSHMALLOW is a very personal journey inward to bring about a therapeutic resolve in myself. The sound DNA is similar to WARRANGU, yet much more involved; I’ve got some heavy musicians all throughout the project, from Tully Ryan on drums to Tony Buchen record producing, to professional Foley, to a string sextet and some heavy guest features.

Who did you work with on this album that helped shape its sound?

The creative personnel on MARSHMALLOW is a dream! Tony Buchen was my record producer who overlooked the entire project; it also features some amazing collaborations with DYAGULA, Josh Pyke, The Vampires and Beckah Amani, as well as Josh and Chuck from the podcast Stuff You Should Know.

Tell us about the visuals for this new single - and for the album (if there’s anything you can tell us yet).

The music video was filmed at the iconic White Bay Power Station in Rozelle; former centre for power supply in the Inner West, now turned multi-faceted venue and film location for blockbusters like The Matrix. I believe ours was the first music video filmed there! SHH Studios created an amazing vision for this song: I play a mad scientist who has taken my inner child hostage and forced him to undertake the Marshmallow experiment as I repeat the same criticisms I endured as a child.

You’re a remarkable storyteller - which stories were important for you to explore on this new project?

Aw thank you! This project is an incredibly personal story and I've been working on it for 7 years trying to present it in a way that is vulnerable and fire at the same time. Every story on this song and further, across the whole album, is a real story that made me the person I am today, in all my strengths and my flaws; oh, to embrace the flaws.

Which rising artists are you excited about? Who have you been listening to?

Miss Kaninna, Inkabee, and KAYPS. KAYPS is crazy. Also ZIPPORAH’s new EP and BVT’s new album

What’s something important to you, aside from music? Something you’re passionate about.

Lately I'm a big fan of touching grass and relaxing at the beach. Especially after making this album, it’s been much needed

What’s next?

I can NOT wait to share my album MARSHMALLOW with you! Want the link? Just say the word!

Listen to Dobby HERE.

@dobbyau