Following up from Computers Want Me Dead... I also interviewed Anna Coddington last week! It was cool that both my interviews were with people who've played down here in Dunedin recently...
I go through phases with it. When I'm in a writing phase I just write all the time. First thing when I get up mostly, then muck around in the studio in the afternoon and evening doing demos and arranging. But I do find first thing in the morning to be the most productive time for song writing, I think because my brain is always foggy and thinking in tangents...
Who would you work with if you were to do an album full of guest stars?
I kind of feel like I've already done that! I consider my band to be stars and they gave me exactly what I wanted for my new album Cat & Bird. They are Ned Ngatae (guitars/co-production), Riki Gooch (drums), Mike Hall (bass), and L A Mitchell (keyboards). Ooh but if Prince offered to produce an album for me I would say yes.
I read that you're also a black belt in karate. Do you find that balance in life is as important for you as everyone makes it out to be?
Yep. I'm pretty sure the same goes for everyone though. I divide most of my time between music and karate (Kyokushin karate), but all musicians and karate people I know have other commitments/interests/hobbies etc. Sometimes I feel like I don't have enough time left between the two, but after 12 years of training I've just come to accept that I'm better off to keep it up. I get funny in the head when I stop training for too long...
Is it important to be a singer-songwriter rather than just a musician?
Ummm... for me it's important to be a songwriter. That's where I get the most personal satisfaction. I love watching a song grow from an idea to a fully formed thing that other people enjoy. And it's fun to be a singer. I've done a few gigs where I just sing (no guitar). I used to think "shit, what do I do with my hands?!" but I enjoy it more now. I reckon that if you haven't written the song, singing and being a musician are the same thing, except your instrument is your voice. If it's not your song you are ultimately just helping the songwriter/producer see out their vision, same as the other musos. I think?! Maybe not for Britney Spears and people like that. Oh I don't know!...
What are your top 5 favorite foods?
Avocado, tofu, pineapple, smoothies, and coffee (technically not a food, but it's essential).
And top 5 favorite musicians/bands?
Ask me tomorrow and you'll get a different answer but for today I'll say: Michael Jackson, Billy Bragg, Band of Horses, Radiohead, and Julia Deans (who I am touring with through April/May!)
What are your pet peeves?
Burning my toast. My crappy phone. People who do not indicate!
Do you have specific hopes for your future?
Releasing the new record overseas and touring more and a few other music projects that are underway... just playing more music really.
As one of the top popular musicians in New Zealand, are you proud of what you've achieved?
Yes I am. People always ask me if I have another job- I don't. And that in itself is a good gauge for me. I feel lucky about that. And I'm very proud of Cat & Bird. It sounds how I wanted it to sound.
What's the coolest small New Zealand town and why?
Raglan! Because it's my home town. We recently did an awesome gig in Port Chalmers, just out of Dunedin, and that was pretty cool. I also love Wanaka. It's beeyoootiful.
How many roads must a man walk down before you can call him a man?
It is not the number of roads, but the journey that maketh the man... Something like that.
Wow I love my job!
No comments:
Post a Comment