Ashnikko covers Gwen Stefani’s ‘What You Waiting For?' for Like A Version

SPEAKER_1 (0:02)

Lack A Version. With Abhiyan Tyrone. Before Lack A Version and after Lack A Version is kind of the anchor point of an Australian musician's life, I think.

SPEAKER_3 (0:21)

Jammin with the happy Pretty intimidating song, like you hear it, and it sounds like the uncoverable.

SPEAKER_4 (0:28)

The verses are great. They're so well written and they make me feel really sexy when I'm singing them.

SPEAKER_1 (0:33)

Like A Version on Triple J.

Abby (0:35)

It is Like A Version Day here on Triple J Breakfast. Abby and Tyrone with you, Anilia, year on from the release of her album Smoochies. She's wrapped up doing some big solo headline shows around the country and here to give us an original end to cover for Like A Version in the studio with us right now. Ashnikko!

Tyrone (0:55)

This is so wonderful to be talking to you again. Also, before we get into anything, an absolute feast for the eyes, as always.

Ashnikko (1:02)

Gorgeous.

Tyrone (1:03)

For our listeners, could you please talk us through the outfit today?

Ashnikko (1:06)

I've got a shoe on my head. I've got a shoe on my head. I've got a couple of dollar bills on my head. I am wearing a corset made of latex. I am snatched like a sausage, like a sausage in its case.

I am wearing panties just out and a deconstructed skirt.

Abby (1:27)

And the eye lashes. We can't go past the eyelashes.

Ashnikko (1:30)

Pink feathers on my lashes. Anything is a lash, anything is a hat. If you try hard enough.

Abby (1:36)

I saw the matchstick lashes recently, which looked gorgeous. Your mind.

Tyrone (1:40)

That's a fun twister, matchstick lashes.

Ashnikko (1:42)

Matchstick lashes. Say that three times in a row, Ashnikko shows up.

Tyrone (1:46)

I'm Ashnikko appears. I mean, last time you were in Australia and we spoke to you, it was the day after you'd been to the Blue Mountains for your birthday.

And I heard at your shows that you went back to the Blue Mountains.

Ashnikko (1:56)

I did.

Tyrone (1:56)

What do you love so much about the mountains?

Ashnikko (1:59)

I just love scrambling around like a little rat, goat hybrid. I like the waterfalls are stunning.

I like experiencing all before I play shows. You know, just like experiencing something, seeing something humongous and ancient. I really, I really feel it.

Abby (2:18)

Is it true you've gotten into bird watching?

Ashnikko (2:19)

Oh my God.

I have like fallen off a steep cliff straight into like bird watching obsession. It's taken over my whole life. I actually can't walk down the street without stopping. Like I can't go from A to B without stopping to identify some birds. It's taken over my mind, body and soul. Yeah.

Tyrone (2:37)

Also, we have to ask, last time we spoke, we brought you a little trinket. It was a scooby that my girlfriend had made and we were chewing on them. But you spoke about microplastics.

Ashnikko (2:48)

Love those.

Tyrone (2:49)

And then lo and behold, in October, we get the album and there's a song called Microplastics.

Ashnikko (2:53)

Yes.

Tyrone (2:53)

Had that song existed early last year?

Ashnikko (2:55)

It was a little Easter egg. What's it? Wow.

Again, your mind. Yes. God. Yes. I'm weaving.

Tyrone (3:02)

Right under our noses, we had no idea.

Ashnikko (3:04)

Absolutely.

Abby (3:05)

And of course, we can't invite you back here without giving you yet another trinket.

Ashnikko (3:10)

Oh, my God.

Abby (3:11)

We do know that you are fond of them. So we've gotten a little trinket for you. It's one of our little freaks that lives on our desk.

Ashnikko (3:16)

Oh, yeah.

Tyrone (3:17)

I forgot to bring it into the studio.

Abby (3:18)

And it's forgotten to be bringing it.

Tyrone (3:20)

Producer Hannah is running out to go and get it.

Ashnikko (3:22)

I'm imagining it, and I love it.

Abby (3:24)

Whatever. I really want to know what you're picturing right now.

Tyrone (3:27)

Oh, OK. Come in.

Abby (3:28)

Come in. Here we go. This is the reveal.

Tyrone (3:30)

The reveal of the trinket. This is just for you.

Ashnikko (3:32)

Oh, it's so small.

Abby (3:34)

It's tiny.

Tyrone (3:36)

Because we like I know that you get a lot of trinkets, so I didn't want to get anything that would take up too much space in a luggage.

Ashnikko (3:40)

What is he holding?

Tyrone (3:42)

I don't know. A crystal.

SPEAKER_2 (3:43)

Who made him?

Tyrone (3:44)

I don't even know where he came from. I don't know where he came from, but he's always been on our desk. And I he's a bead.