Auckland's P.H.F. (Joe Locke) is back with his latest release, New Metal. After forming in 2012, P.H.F. has made a lot of noise not only in Auckland, but around the world. I first heard of P.H.F. back in 2018 through their track Glue. Since then, P.H.F. has been one of my favorite musical acts, and is sure to become one of your favorites as well. We had the opportunity to talk to P.H.F. about life, music, and rap battling Fred Durst. Check it out!
Rapid-fire Questions
1. What have you been listening to lately?
MILK, DEFTONES, 99JAKES, OMERTA, POPPY
2. Do you think that you could beat Fred Durst in a rap battle?
Hell no lol - but is he even a rapper?
3. What are you most excited about right now?
This 909 Worldwide Minecraft festival set.
4. Would you consider doing a cover of Monster Mash?
probably.
5. What wrestler do you think would be into your music the most?
Chyna R.I.P.
6. What would you be doing if you weren’t pursuing music?
Probably chasing some other dragon.
7. Dream collab?
Honestly, I would love to work w chino from Deftones - well I would j love to produce a whole Deftones album.
8. What band has inspired you the least, and could you beat them in a fight?
Like I'm gonna snitch and also yeah.
9. What is the worst piece of advice that you can give me?
Do everything your gut tells you to do.
10. Any local bands that you think we should check out?
I'm just gonna say CAROLES is prob one of the most underrated bands in the country RIP REUBEN SAMUEL WINTER.
Isaac Gutierrez for Born Loser Mag: To start things off can you introduce yourself?
Joe Locke (P.H.F.): My name is Joe and I make music under the name P.H.F. What did you grow up listening to?
Blink 182, Blindside, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Deftones.
Was there anything specific that made you want to pursue music?
Its probably one of the first things that ever gave me like a visceral reaction and so im just like, chasing that feeling I guess. What was it like coming up in the Auckland music scene?
It was actually thriving, like it felt like there was shows every weekend, and there was so many bands. Also getting to see the mint chicks play shows was so fucking inspiring.
. Talk to us about your latest release, New Metal.
I wanted to make an album that was really ambitious, but also didn't really stick to one kind of sound. I get bored of genres and styles of music pretty quickly, so I like to keep changing things up to keep it interesting for myself. This was probably also the first "properly" recorded album as well apart from maybe 9mm - I definitely think its the best sounding album I have done so far at least. I hope its an album people can put on and listen from start to finish, I just wanted it to flow really nicely even tho there is no consistency of the sound or dynamic at all.
What was your mindset going into making this album?
I was excited to collaborate with Nick Noneman who recorded this - I had never worked with anyone that wasnt already like a close friend so it was nice going out of my comfort zone for once. Also my friend Nich who played drums on this album I have known them for ages, so it was cool to have things go from them drumming at my first LA show at the smell to working on this album together. Both massive chillers who dont take this shit too serious which is like 99% of making music to me How does New Metal differ from your previous work?
I feel like it doesn't differ that much, it feels more of a good summation of the sounds I have worked with before.
What kind of music were you listening to while writing this album?
I was listening to a lot of Elliott Smith I guess actually, but because it was written over like maybe 6 months I probably ran thru heaps of bands and albums I can't remember.
When you’re creating an album do you intentionally try to search for a new sound, or does your sound naturally change as you progress?
Definitely, to me music a lot of the time is an exercise in production. Genre is so meaningless to me at this point and songs are songs - you can literally make any song in any genre. I dont think P.H.F. is at all like, way out there and experimental or anything tho cause im still just a white boy making guitar music lol.
What is the most important thing for you when it comes to writing a song?
Train of thought and dont censor anything. Literally playing absolute nonsense can lead you to a song.
Do you ever go back and revisit your old stuff?
No cause its CRINGE hahaha
What musical accomplishment are you most proud of?
Not to be a massive hippie, but the friends I have made. Maybe I'm just very emo atm but literally have met the best fucking people doing this shit and feel so blessed.
I miss going to shows, and I’m sure you miss touring. Is there a city or a venue that you look forward to playing at once you’re able to tour again?
I dont miss shows at all hahah its maybe my least fav part of music. I just hate crowds and stuff so playing the minecraft set in my bedroom was a fucking dream come true it was so fun! What do you enjoy doing when you aren’t working on music?
hanging out with my friends but probably still doing music at the same time lol What are you currently working on?
the new live set up - it sounds literally nothing like the new album but its fun as hell Is there anything that you want our readers to know?
just found out gerard way is joe rogans second cousin ?!?!?!?!?!???? To wrap things up, do you have any questions for me? yeah did you know that gerard way was joe rogans second cousin ?????????
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