Citing his environment as the main influence of his music, it’s no surprise that Sydney-born hip-hop producer ISHU has returned to Australia with a bag full of fresh ideas and a new vision, after travelling throughout Europe and Asia in 2009.
Collecting samples and field recordings along the way; ISHU found inspiration in every country he visited, immersing himself in local culture and sketching beats for his forthcoming album release. Now at his new home in Melbourne, it’s time to bring these rough drafts to life.


Back in 2008, ISHU had garnered praise for the smooth, organic dub/reggae/dancehall flavours and laid-back vocals of his debut EP. Seven tracks which documented his jaunt down south before heading abroad. Fast-forward two years later and he’s switching it up. A broadened sound palette has him charting new musical territory, using hip-hop and electronic beats as his canvas. Culture-mashing boom-bap in a similar vein to local favourites Hermitude and Monkeymarc (Combat Wombat) with hints of big influences like Embee (Looptroop), Hi-Tek and Madlib.

Enlisting some of Australia’s finest vocalists including Mantra, Hau, Class-A, Elf Tranzporter, Urban Monk (Polo Club), Lotek (UK) and Pataphysics; ISHU is now piecing together his second masterwork. Recording his guests, mixing and mastering the album and preparing a solo live show to share it with the world it spawned from.

Following in the footsteps of producers like Mad Professor, DJ Shadow and DJ Krush; ISHU has prepared a modern-day live production show using a laptop, Ableton and a gang of MIDI controllers. Blending each song into the next, ISHU gets hands-on with the music; having full access to all elements of each song and endless effects possibilities. Keeping things live and spontaneous, ensuring that every show is different from the last.

ISHU’s debut album is scheduled for a late 2010 release on Foreigndub.

Ishu – Myspace