Electric Wire Hustle - Electric Wire Hustle Newsletter Interview
31 Aug 2008 // An interview by Shade
Thanks to Taay for answering these questions:
What is the best gig/event you have ever performed at, and why?
We've been really fortunate - there have been a few - but the best would prob still be an event we were part of earlier this year called Milk & Cookies. It was held in Wellington as part of a workshop series for the Red Bull Music Academy. It featured ourselves alongside legendary UK artists Benji B and Steve Spacek as well as our good friends; Riki Gooch, Parks, Future and Rio Hemopo. We all tune into Benji's show on the BBC each week and Steve's music has always been a massive inspiration. To see Mara and Steve singing together at the end was ridiculous, only topped when we cut a track with Steve a few nights later in Auckland. A close second would be playing alongside DJ Krush in Melbourne to a sold out crowd - that was crazy.
What is your favourite NZ venue?
Tough - there are only few that sound wise are easy to perform at - something severely lacking in NZ. Vibe wise though probably Khuja in Auckland. The people Khuja attracts are always up for a party and are down with all streams of music. The crew up at Khuja are also amazing - and its always on when we get up there.
What can we expect to see from Electric Wire Hustle over the next year?
We're mad busy getting a few releases together that will preempt the album next year. We are working on a 2 x 12" release through Japanese label Wonderful Noise. This will feature some alternate versions of the some of the tracks from the album. Other than that - we're just working on getting our live show to level we want it at and producing as much music as possible.
What other NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
So so many - We have such an amazing scene here - also when you're working hard trying to get your own music out its hard sometimes to have time to check everyone else out. Always looking to see more of: Ladi6, Parks, Riki, Julien Dyne, Isaac Aesili, Ivez, Opensouls, Solaa, FFD: they are big inspirations locally and producing amazing soul music. Lately I've been lucky to meet new artists such as Jedi Henzel, Skylab and Sheba who are doing great things to come.
If you could, what rumour would you start about Electric Wire Hustle?
Vince is actually My Uncle's uncle, uncle.
What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
It ain't gonna happen unless you make it happen.
About Electric Wire Hustle
With their debut self-titled album Electric Wire Hustle achieved cult status. A number one song on Hype Machine, five-star reviews from the likes of Okayplayer, and BBC Radio support from Gilles Peterson and Benji B secured them unwavering support internationally with a flood of production requests following.
Their sophomore album Love Can Prevail has continued the trend, winning best electronic album at the 2015 New Zealand Music Awards. Added to that is previous support from The New York Times and Wax Poetics, making The Listeners Top 10 albums of 2014 and winning the official stamp of approval of Questlove, The Roots and their imprint Okayplayer Records who alongside Somethink Sounds released the album in September of that year.
Demand for their live show has seen EWH perform in 18 countries, appearing at festivals such as Glastonbury, Dour, Sonar, Sziget, SXSW, Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide, New York’s CMJ and The Roots Picnic.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Electric Wire Hustle