Hanging around behind-the-scenes at MTV's ARIA Red Carpet rehearsals, we spied Aussie hip-hop star Phrase and homegrown singing sensation, and ARIA Best Male Artist winner, Daniel Merriweather. The pair performed a special version of Dan's hit 'Change' on the ruby rug - with Phrase standing in for rapper Wale - and we caught 'em up, grabbed 'em and grilled 'em.
MTV: You guys have a lotta history (they met on the Melbourne music scene and have worked together heaps) - what’s it like being back together again?
DM: It’s good. You know when we first started sleeping with each other, we never thought it would end up with us getting engaged.
P: (laughs heartily).
MTV: Is this a recent thing?
DM: It was just a spur of the moment engagement - it just happened.
P: (laughs even more heartily)
MTV: Is doing the guest rap on Change in place of Wale fun? Did it take you a long time to learn?
P: Nah, I’ve got a little studio at home and when Dan was releasing the song, he sent me the track and I did a verse and recorded it. And this is the result. It’s good.
MTV: So the old chemistry is coming back?
DM: Yeah, it’s very sexual. Seriously though, it’s great I co-produced Phrase’s first album with Jan Skubiszewski. We spent 6 months in the studio literally drinking crates of beer. We started off getting there at 10 in the morning and working till 10 at night. Then as the months rolled on we were getting in the studio later and later. And we ended up getting really fat and horrible because of all the cases of beer.
P: It turned out we were working 10 at night till 10 in the morning in the end!
DM: And that was a good five years ago and in that time Phrase has been doing his stuff and I’ve been doing my stuff so it’s cool to reunite.
MTV: How important is it for you both to take home the awards in your cateogories? (Daniel is up for Best Male Artist and Phrase is up for Best Urban Album.)
DM: For me it’s important. ARIAs are such a special award. They’re voted for by people who know about music. When I won my first ARIA it was such a huge honour. I’m in a tough group, I’m up against CW Stoneking, so I don’t know how I’m going to go against him. I’m a big fan.
P: It’s important for me because I’ve been nominated in this category before. I was flicking through a record industry mag and I noticed that so many artists’ labels have taken ads out saying vote for them. My budget doesn’t allow me to do that so for me to win would be really special. Although just to be nominated is cool. I’m going to cross my toes as well as my fingers.
MTV: Who’s your main competition?
P: Hilltop Hoods. When I brought my album out I thought I might get a crack at best Urban this year. Then they brought an album out! I’m looking forward to their performance though.
MTV: Who are you looking forward to seeing?
DM: Everyone. Australia is such a hot bed of talent. I spend a lot of time in New York and as soon as you say you’re from Australia , people start reeling of lots of Aussie artists they love. And it’s so cool that people are recognizing that now. We’ve deserved that from the days of Cold Chisel onwards…It’s getting bigger and it’s great to be involved.
MTV: Daniel, have you met Robbie before? Will you be saying hi?
DM: I have met Robbie Williams. I did a show once with Mark Ronson in LA and he came up on stage and did the song he did for Mark’s album. He’s such a sweet guy and such a great performer and that’s cool to watch.
MTV: Will you guys be going to go out for a beer afterwards?
P: I'll probably go for one, but I’ve got a flight to Hobart cos I’m doing a show there the next day.
DM: It’s my mission to make him miss his flight.
MTV: Ha ha. You gunna drag anyone else out with you?
Phrase: Probably the Hoods. They’ll be up for one.
MTV: Even if they get the gong? Yeah, there is that. I need to win, of course.
MTV: Good luck, boys!
DM & Phrase: Thanks, MTV.
Stay glued to MTV on channel 124 tonight at 7:30pm (AEDT) to catch Orianthi, Daniel Merriweather, Phrase and Cassie Davis perform on the ‘MTV AT THE 2009 ARIA RED CARPET’ show.
Follow us and get all the days ARIA Red Carpet goss - twitter.com/mtvaustralia
Want more ARIA Awards info - click HERE to get the low-down on this year's performers and nominees.
The ‘MTV AT THE 2009 ARIA RED CARPET’ show will air again on MTV @ 4:30pm (AEDT), Friday, November 27 - followed by the 2009 ARIA Awards show @ 5:30pm (AEDT).
Copyright : MTV Australia
