30 May 2005 // An interview by Shade
1) Which NZ artist/band do you think will be a huge international success one day?
I am a fan of the Reduction Agents. I wish good things on them. I have heard tracks from Vooms new album and if there is a god they will be millionares by the end of next year. Also myself, I think that its only a matter of time before the world press are beating down my door, wanting to know more about my private life. But may I also quote Jeff Tweedy from Wilco "the best band will never get signed, they are so good you won't ever know, they never even played a show, you can't hear 'em on the radio"
2) Who would you most like to tour with?
I really want to tour with my good friends Onanon from Dunedin. They are a great band and I have been in various musical partnerships with 2 of the members, and I just think we would have a really great time travelling around together. I know they are touring later in the year maybe, so hopefully I can tag along on that if I ask them nicley and offer to carry an amp or two.
3) What is your most embarrassing concert moment?
On my first ever time on stage as the Ed Gains Experience I jumped up in the air and when I landed I unpluged my guitar by mistake and everything went silent. I was far too wasted to be embarrassed though, and most people said that it was the highlight of the set. Again, I was too wasted to be certain.
4) What are you planning on doing during 2005?
My new album 'Bel Hevi' is getting the finishing touches put on it, so that will come out very soon. Its my first album that I have not done on the four track, and it's all made on a computer with alot of guitars, so I'm pretty excited to see if anyone will like it or play any of the songs on their radio stations. I have also made a home-made video for one of the songs, my first ever video, so again it will be interesting to see if anyone sees it except my mum.
5) What is in your CD collection at home?
I don't really get much chance to listen to music at home, as my son is always listening to The Wiggles, but in my car at the moment I have some Syd Barrett, Wilco, Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Verlaines, The 3D's, Daniel Johnston, Grandaddy, Hayden, Pumice, Onanon, Uncle Tupelo, the new Beck album, and the new Queens of the Stone Age album. So if you steal my car, you'll get a crap car with some cool tunes locked in the glovebox.
6) What advice would you give other budding musicians/bands?
Keep going no mater what anyone says to you, no matter how few or as many people turn up to your shows. Don't waste too much time on the stupid parts or people in the music business. Enjoy playing your songs and when you stop enjoying those songs write some more.