Diesel Phoenix - Diesel Phoenix Newsletter Interview
06 Jul 2008 // An interview by Shade
Thanks to Sam for these answers:
What is the best gig/event you have ever performed at, and why?
We toured Australia promoting our debut album 'White Lies & Black Hearts'; The Alley Bar in Brisbane was our last show. It was packed with kids who knew our songs and really showed us that Australian crowds are just as noisy and rough as back home. We signed more merch and had more photo's taken than ever before. It was amazing. It wasn't the biggest show we've played but there was just so much love it was too hard to ignore. It definitely made us feel like we had made our mark overseas.
What is your favourite NZ venue?
Definitely The Kings Arms Tavern!
Every time we play there it's like coming home to the faithful armchair that's slightly worn but still retains the perfect curves of your body, ohhh good times! We played our first show there back when we were called DonkeyPunk and we played our first show as Diesel Phoenix there. The best thing about the Kings Arms is the way they tirelessly support up and coming New Zealand musicians. In any given week they may be hosting a massive overseas act on a Friday night & then have a group of 18 year old kids play their first ever pub show there on the Saturday night...
That's very hard to find in New Zealand let alone the rest of the globe
What can we expect to see from Diesel Phoenix over the next year?
We will be shooting for two new videos, one for our new single 'Beneath' and the other I can't say as I'm sworn to secrecy ha ha. We are just in the middle of developing a nationwide schools tour and we will definitely be playing some killer shows for the older kids too.
What other NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
Simple Day and Sinfura... They're are our boys and we love their music. If you're reading this and don't know about them, do some research... It's well worth it. Unfortunately this year has been pretty sad for the NZ music scene with the retirement of a few killer acts such as Blindspott and The WBC... It's a tough industry and it makes us sad as a band when some of our favourite acts will no longer be playing together.
If you could, what rumour would you start about Diesel Phoenix?
That since buying our album, over 300 girls have fallen pregnant listening to our music. Diesel Phoenix is considered by many to be "The SEX"
What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
Keep working at your dream. Decide that YOU ARE WORTH EVERYTHING. Do your research and learn what really makes the music industry tick. We have learnt more in the last year than we have learnt in 10, yet the more we know the more we realise we don't know! Don't rely on fabricated pipe dreams of being signed to a major label just from playing the right show at the right time. Be pro-active. Talk to successful artists that you admire and learn from what they did. Most musicians are more than willing to help because in the end, success as a NZ musician benefits every NZ musician.