EXCLUSIVE: Meet The Unknown Melb Producer Who Scored A 2017 Grammy Nomination

8 December 2016 | 12:40 pm | Neil Griffiths

"To be honest it still doesn’t feel real."

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Australia had a lot to be proud of yesterday when the 2017 Grammy nominations were announced – local acts including Flume, Sia and Keith Urban all picked up multiple nods, however not many would be aware of one particular Melbourne producer who also scored a selection at the prestigious music industry ceremony. 

The Langwarrin born-and-raised artist who wishes to be known only by the name of Lipless, nabbed a nomination in the Best Remixed Recording category, thanks to a remix of a track by fellow Aussie Ry X he created with US heavyweight, Kaskade

In an exclusive interview with The Music, Lipless, now based in LA, revealed that he has known the acclaimed DJ for some time after they met online.

"Kaskade and I actually connected years ago on Myspace and have been good friends ever since," Lipless said. 

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"He has been an awesome mentor for me and continues to do so."

After only starting work on the remixed song, Only, earlier this year, the producer admitted that while he is a fan of Ry X, he was initially unaware that the songwriter was a fellow Aussie.

"I became a huge fan of his early this year after hearing his song Howling," he explained.

"I did not know however that he was a fellow Australian until just after we did the remix. It was mentioned in some of the press regarding the remix."

As for finding out about his Grammy nomination, Lipless said he was blindsided by the news. 

"Actually I had to wake up super early that morning and I did the routine social media runs as you do," he recalled.

"I noticed on Twitter that #GrammyNominations was trending and so I took a peek at all of the noms out of curiosity only to find my name sitting there.

"To be honest it still doesn’t feel real," he continued.

"Neither Kaskade or I had any idea that this remix would end up with a nomination. I only just launched this project early this year and to think that I ended up with a Grammy nomination in my first year is still tripping me out.

"Obviously I need to give a lot of credit to Kaskade for bringing me to this position but I will definitely enjoy the ride."

Though he left Australia early last year after work opportunties arose and to be with his partner, who is also from the US, the enigmatic musician said he still has a tonne of admiration for local dance acts. 

"The Aussie music scene is great, there is an insane amount of talent there.

"All you need to do is look at acts like Flume, Hayden James, Rufus and it's pretty clear that we breed them strong in Australia."

The Grammy nomination will no doubt give Lipless enormous exposure, but don’t expect that to change how he operates; the limelight is something this musician wants no part of. 

"The Lipless brand is not about who I am, it's about my music," he explained. 

"The nomination doesn’t change who I am or what I want to achieve, I just want to make good music that I like and hopefully that other people like too.

"If the spotlight shines on me then OK yeah, that's cool, but I will be quick to direct the spotlight toward my music and not myself."

Moving forward, Lipless is currently working on a new high-profile remix, as well as a new EP, expected to drop in early 2017.

He is also working on a new live show which will feature "powerful visuals that tell a story of Lipless and who the identity is".

As for any potential plans to return home for some live shows, Lipless hinted something special is coming soon.

"I can’t disclose too much information but my team and I are working hard and preparing the live show and visuals," he said.

"I can’t say when but I think it’s safe to say that people in Australia as well as people abroad will be able to experience the show in the near future.

"This is just the beginning for Lipless."