Time for a little something different - hip hop from Down Under. The scene in Australia is so strong that even some UK hip hop acts, Mystro, Fraksha & our boy Doc Freud are all plying their trade there. (It may have something to do with the sun, sea, and sand too!). You’ve probably heard of Hill Top Hoods. However, there are other acts making some serious moves including the mighty Choose Mics.

Yo – well first up why the name Choose Mics?

Haunts: We had another name at first but it was kind of wack so we dropped that. But the truth behind the name ‘Choose Mics’ is a bit fruity, it’s inspired from the old Wham t-shirts that said Choose Life. Don’t get it twisted though Choose Mics is NO HOMO haha!

And individually you are?

Haunts (emcee) and Mules (producer)

Ok, Haunts, you’re now an Aussie citizen but originally from the UK. Whats your link with Down Under?

Haunts: I don’t really have a link per say but dad moved us (mum, brother and me) here when I was 13. I’ve been back and forth to Birmingham since, permanently moving here in 2006.

Right, what’s your story/background? How did you guys hook up?

Haunts: Tac tic one first put me on to Mules’ beats, then he took me round to his place and we started working together. It was about a year before we decided to actually form a group though.

So you how’s the Choose Mics album coming along?

Haunts: I had to get over a big case of writers block but now it’s coming along nicely, were about five tracks into it at the minute.

Mules: For a min there I thought we had another detox situation going on, you know, in for a long run, but it’s all starting to come together now nicely. Just trying to do as many joints as possible so we got a shit load of tracks to choose from for the album. I got slowed down in the beat making area for a while cause I was doing like four projects at once. But now I’m finishing up half of them, so I’ll have a lot more time to work on the album beats for Choose Mics. We got about 11 beats to work with at the moment.

You’ve got some nice collabo’s on there including Fraksha from Nine High. How did that hook up come about?

Haunts: Fraksha is a good mate with M Phazes and I’ve known M since I was about 16. They were on holiday on the Gold Coast and I caught up with them one night and having met Fraksha a couple of times briefly before and being into his music I just asked him if he would like to jump on a track. His also jumping on a track on the album too so watch out for that, it should be another heater!

You’re doing a pre-album release first is that effectively an EP? What can we expect from it?

Haunts: Just us introducing ourselves to the world, trying to put our stamp on hip hop. There’s 19 tracks on it, a lot of braggadocios rap with some stories of money troubles and crazy bitch anthems thrown in. But basically it’s just us doing our thing and hopefully people will enjoy the way we do it. Dope beats, Dope raps!

Mules: Some seriously dope lyrics over heavy-ass, sample based beats.

And the album?

Haunts: We got our style so it should be a more refined version of the pre album but also bringing something new to the table. Not letting down our fans that we’ve gained and also hopefully making some new ones.

Mules: We coming with all new material. We got some surprises in store too man! This project’s like my baby! We at a really good point at the moment creatively, you know trying new things. But in the end you still gonna get Haunts and Mules.

When is the album out on official release?

Haunts: We’re not too sure about release dates yet….

Mules: Late this year if I get my way, but early next at the latest! I’ll make sure of that! Keep checking Formula Recordz for updates!

What does the future hold for Choose Mics?

Haunts: More touring, a hell of a lot more music, just grafting’ to reach our goals!

Mules: After the albums done we gonna tour with it for a while. And then start all over again on another album. In the mean time, we doing the Bliss n Eso tour in Sept/Oct so make sure you check that out. Also playing random gigs around the place, but if you wanna keep up to date on what we doing just check out the myspace at /choosemics.

Any chance of a trip to Blighty?

Haunts: Maybe soon for me, I gotta catch up with all the family and friends back in Birmingham, but who knows what the future will hold for us hopefully shows and that if we get the chance.

Lastly, you got any shout outs?

Haunts: First of all a big ups to our manager Adam, family, friends and a massive one to my lovely girl Shimya who puts up with my craziness on the daily!

Mules: Yeah man big shout to Adam man (fucked without ya bro). Mum, Dad and all my family. My girl Suez, Maeds, Punes, Renz, RJ. Archie, DJ Xplane, M-Phazes and all the fam.