Tones and I launches Coke Studio collaboration in Sydney with Young Franco and CHAII

From humble beginnings busking on the streets of Byron Bay, to humble global success — Tones and I is fizzing about her homegrown musical collaboration.

From humble beginnings busking on the streets of Byron Bay, to humble global success — Tones and I is backing new talent coming out of Australia.

“There are a lot of upcoming and alternative artists here in Australia and New Zealand who are so new and interesting, intriguing and fresh. I’ve thought that forever,” she told Confidential after delighting UNSW students with a performance at Roundhouse Theatre on Thursday.

The Australian singer-songwriter’s next album is slated for release in August.

Australian artist Tones and I launched the Coke Studio at UNSW Sydney Roundhouse on Thursday, April 4th. Picture: David Swift/The Daily Telegraph.

But before then, fans will get a creative collaboration from her, Sydney-based DJ and producer Young Franco, and Persian New Zealand rapper CHAII.

The trio had only met moments before they spoke to Confidential, and were already fizzing about their Coke Studio project.

The Coca Cola platform has previously brought together am Smith, Jessie Reyez and Cat Burns and Imagine Dragons and the Inner-City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles.

Tones and I performing Cloudy Day at Roundhouse Theatre. Picture: David Swift

“Songwriting sessions are very crazy and erratic and there’s a certain formula that people in LA use,” Tones said.

“I’m so excited. I picked both these crazy genius people for a reason and I want to learn from them.”

Despite being one of Australia’s biggest global music exports, the support act on Pink’s mammoth Summer Canival Tour, and the first female artist to surpass three billion song streams.

“I’m still taking everything in,” she said.

When Tones and I, born Toni Watson, first heard that her global smash Dance Monkey had broken the Spotify record in February, she didn’t believe the news.

“It almost looked like a meme,” she said.

“I just didn’t think it was true. I don’t think I really have absorbed that to be honest.”

In her trademark humble manner, the global star referred to the global chart-topping hit as “being just a song on the radio to a lot of people for ages”.

“On the street I sang live and that was how I grabbed people. Slowly over time, I think I’ll look back and really appreciate what that means, but everything happened so quickly that I’m still taking everything in,” she said.

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