28 Feb 2009 // An interview by Shade
What is the best gig you have ever performed at, and why?
FUSE - National Youth Talent Quest Event, held at Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington.
http://www.fusenz.org/
And the reason why, because first time we had a standing ovation, the crowd and wanting more, you can check out vid at our myspace page:
http://www.myspace.com/restoresto
It really encouraged us, especially as we are from the hood of A-Town (Aranui), Christchurch; and for most of us, we have never experienced anything like it, especially from our neighbourhood, as it’s always been classed as a place where nothing good comes out of there, but it just really gave us hope for the first time, that maybe we can break this stigma/ stereo-types that has been put on A-Town for far too long.
What is your favourite NZ venue?
Denton Park, Hornby, Christchurch for the annual West Side Party in The Park; every year the crowd are faithful and stick around, regardless of the weather to hear us (especially last year, it was freezing, but the crowd stuck it out, it was awesome!)
What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
Artists like Bic and Boh Runga, Brooke Fraser, Crowded House for example; dueting with Hip-Hop/ RnB artists like - Scribe, Savage, Young Sid and Chong Nee (like what Dave Dobbyn did a while back with UPR).
Restoration! Because we feel we bring a new real atmosphere of truth and its time to push and even challenge the Music artists, especially in the Hip-Hop/ RnB arena out there already, to reach for a higher standard, not just singing music, but meaning what they are singing and also making music that’s not just ‘club banging’ but music that actually gives hope, especially to youth of today.
What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?
We performed at a gig in Christchurch for Hornby Presbyterian in one of their Youth Services, and we were getting ready, then we found out our guitars battery was flat! We asked the crowd, does anyone have a spare battery?
It was a bit awkward, but a big lesson learnt, no more flat batteries and we always ensure that we spares at all times.
How did you come up with the name Restoration?
In the heart of Aranui (A-Town) our melodic urban/hip hop sound emerged from our living room in Hampshire while jamming a song written by Maphiu (Matthew). It was from then on that John thought the guys had potential and decided to form Restoration.
The name Restoration derived from The Restoration House, a place where we all live together.
A House; where an individual can learn to love God with all of their heart, soul and strength. The House is a base for young people, people from the street who have given their hearts to the lord, and for many others to hangout, find love and be serious bout knowing Jesus.
The Restoration House is fully supported by us and we believe in ‘sowing into the kingdom of God’. There have been hard times, but the Lord has never failed us; because of this, our Faith in the Lord Jesus has continued to spur us on, to live for others.
How do you describe your music?
RnB/ Hip-Hop/ Urban Music - from troubled backgrounds, broken homes and life struggles, the boys express their heart and soul through singing, rhyme and music. We are here to produce music that you can feel and coast to.
What can we expect to see from Restoration over the next year?
Reaching out to more schools, churches, communities throughout New Zealand and if the opportunity arises overseas too.
Also, get more airplay too.
What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
Josh – Don’t let your talent go to your head.
Matt – Stay true to what you started out with.
John – If you sing, make sure you mean it, live it, otherwise people don’t want to hear it.