The definition of an “artist” has and always will hold ambiguity to it. 

While the general understanding of an “artist” is to be one of musical disciplines, and while our typical Artist On Artist conversations usually entail a chat between two prolific musicians, artistry will always extend beyond what we know to be “art”. As such, for this edition of Artist On Artist, we flip the switch and invite the effervescent Bino Blip to be in conversation with the undeniable artists that are director duo Kids of Bill (made up of Harrison Friend & Sam Stevenson).

For long, these two parties have collaborated creatively, showcasing an indisputable artistic bond that often is difficult to find among the oversaturation of the creative industries. Nonetheless, Kids of Bill have worked on the visuals for the Eora artist on five separate occasions, showcasing a relationship that is sacred, expressive and constantly thriving. On Bino Blip’s latest single Boy, Kids of Bill bring forth the absurdist, abrasive and honest truths that lie deep within Blip’s vocal delivery and lyricism, delivering a visual experience that is visceral and intense. Outside of work, they chat like old mates meeting at their local for a drink or two, maintaining a balance between business and play that is complimented by nothing but shared love, gratitude and awe for each other’s work.

For Artist on Artist, Bino Blip and Kids of Bill dive into their creative and work relationship, ponder over the hypothetical possibility of Pepsi Max dispersing from their fingers and speak on what’s to come.

Bino Blip: Kids of Bill has a prolific wrap sheet both in the creative and commercial space. What’s it like making such strong music videos on a tight budget and how does that differ from some of the bigger budget projects you’ve worked on?

Kids of Bill: Initially a small budget can feel like a constraint, but once you get someone/something putting a lot of money into a project, there comes a certain level of compromise to the vision (generally speaking). 

Then you need to develop a new set of skills to negotiate that compromise. We like working in the small budget music video space because there’s less in-between our brains and the end result.

The main advantage of having worked on bigger scale productions is the awesome crew you meet and plead to join us on our little weird side projects. 

Kids of Bill: Why are you so good at playing characters you love to hate?

Bino Blip: Many of these characters reflect extreme alternate versions of myself. E.g. What would I be like if my life was X or Y? We often get triggered by qualities in others that we dislike in ourselves. 

Also, a meek mannered, well behaved, upstanding citizen makes for a great neighbour but I'm not sure they'd be able to hold the attention of our short form, doom scrolled, goldfish brains for a 3 minute track.

Bino Blip: What is something you know now that you wish you knew when you first started pursuing film?

Kids of Bill: I wish I knew that our ‘creative identity’, or the stuff we want to make films about, our tone, our characters, all of that takes time to uncover. For so many years (and so many short films) we thought we knew what movies we wanted to make. We didn’t. We think we do now. We still probably don’t. I’m learning to be patient, self reflect on every instinct we have and try to distill what exactly makes a kidsofbill film that way, so we can do it again, but better.

Kids of Bill: This is your 5th music video with us, why? Any advice for someone new to making music videos?

Bino Blip: I think we’re on the same wavelength creatively and professionally. The more we work together, the smoother the process and the better the final product is. There’s a shared level of insight too, which I feel is imperative when you’re trying to create something new and interesting. The fact we’re always brainstorming the next project before the current one is finished is a good sign too I reckon.

Kids of Bill: Why is consistent visual storytelling such a big part of your music and your upcoming EP?

Bino Blip: I’m a sensory-seeking little freak who thinks in pictures - like a children’s book. I prefer experiences where multiple senses are engaged - phone calls over texts, face-to-face over phone calls. Visuals give me more context, and I like how it feels when art can be perceived through multiple sensory pathways. In the future, I’d like to engage even more senses like VR and scratch n sniff clips.

Bino Blip: Top 3 inspirations of all time across any creative medium?

Kids of Bill: Raymond Chandler: Philip Marlowe books - discovered love for those prose that prove pulp CAN get taken seriously

Thin Lizzy The Boys are Back In Town - My child brain formed listening to my Dad’s Band ‘The Last Larrikins’ play this at rural NSW pubs in front of truck drivers and farmers

A sausage with onion in bread (sauce of your choosing) - proves that not all art needs to be high-brow and expensive to be wildly loved and culturally institutional

Kids of Bill: Who are some artists or influences that shape your visual identity?

Bino Blip: My visual style constantly evolves, but I’m typically drawn to dark, textural aesthetics. Influences include Jutta Fedderson, Tommy Cash, Tyler the Creator, FKA Twigs, Talking Heads, Madonna, Bowie, Nadia Lee Cohen and MLMA to impulsively rattle off a few.

Kids of Bill: Did you actually blow cigarette smoke in that 6-month-old baby’s face?

Bino Blip: No, that was a stunt baby with SFX makeup, and the cigarette smoke was done in post. 

Bino Blip: If you could expel 5 liquids out of each finger on your non dominant hand, what would they be and why?

Kids of Bill: Four fingers would expel Pepsi Max. This is not a paid plug. Pepsi Max (pre-mix from the gun) is simply the superior movie watching beverage. The thumb would expel creatine for max gains.

Bino Blip: What is next for Kids of Bill? 

Kids of Bill: Feature film babyyy. We’re in development on our first long form narrative film. If anyone reading this wants to provide some notes on the script, hit us up. Criticisms welcomed.

Check out Bino Blip’s Boy directed by Kids of Bill below.