22 Dec 2024
The Phoenix Foundation - The Phoenix Foundation Newsletter Interview
07 Jun 2009 // An interview by Shade
Thanks to Richie for answering these questions:
What is the best gig you have ever performed at, and why?
Well one of my favorite ever shows was at the Mercury Lounge in New York. it's a fantastic room with a great sounding stage, which makes so much difference, and there was an awesome crowd there who were really responsive to the music we were playing.
What is your favourite NZ venue?
It'd have to be The Mussel Inn!! it's like 'good times - guaranteed' down there, plus brewery, open fire, great accomodation and nice weather.
What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
Actually, this is kind of embarrassing because it's been out for quite a while, but I had my first really good listen to Lawerence Arabia's new album in the van a couple of days ago and I really really liked it. Such great vocal harmony's throughout and a wonderful, seemingly never ending tapestry of ideas weaving though all the songs. I found it really uplifing.
What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?
A few years ago I was watching another band play from the side of the stage and I noticed that the bass amp was vibrating around on top of the bass speaker so much that it was eventually going to vibrate right off and fall onto the ground. I tried to catch the bass players attention between songs but to no avail and so i really had no choice but to just walk across stage in the middle of a song and move it into a better position. But when I got over to the amp, somehow I stood on the lead and snapped the jack that was plugging in the bass guitar. The bass cut out and everyone in the room was suddenly looking at me!, instinctivly I put my hand onto the jack and the pressure of that must have reconnected the wires and the bass came back on. I spent the rest of the gig, on stage, holding the guys plug in place trying not to move my hand a millimetre. And of course no one had a spare lead so I had to stay there. Whats the bet if I had let if fall it would have just kept going sweet as!
How did you come up with the band name The Phoenix Foundation?
Macgyver.
How do you describe your music?
J.J. Cale meets Pink Floyd at Vangelis's yoga retreat with canopes.
What can we expect to see from The Phoenix Foundation over the next year?
New Songs, we've got a good handful of them on this tour and heaps more on the go. We'll do an album as well.
What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
Find a practice space where you can leave your gear set up and get something / anything to make a recording on. Even if it's budget as, you'll learn alot from recording, you don't need to be to attached to the recording, you might not even try to make something you're gonna release, just make some art, you'll enjoy it and learn alot about your sound.
Thanks to Richie for answering these questions:What is the best gig you have ever performed at, and why?
Well one of my favorite ever shows was at the Mercury Lounge in New York. it's a fantastic room with a great sounding stage, which makes so much difference, and there was an awesome crowd there who were really responsive to the music we were playing.
What is your favourite NZ venue?
It'd have to be The Mussel Inn!! it's like 'good times - guaranteed' down there, plus brewery, open fire, great accomodation and nice weather.
What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
Actually, this is kind of embarrassing because it's been out for quite a while, but I had my first really good listen to Lawerence Arabia's new album in the van a couple of days ago and I really really liked it. Such great vocal harmony's throughout and a wonderful, seemingly never ending tapestry of ideas weaving though all the songs. I found it really uplifing.
What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?
A few years ago I was watching another band play from the side of the stage and I noticed that the bass amp was vibrating around on top of the bass speaker so much that it was eventually going to vibrate right off and fall onto the ground. I tried to catch the bass players attention between songs but to no avail and so i really had no choice but to just walk across stage in the middle of a song and move it into a better position. But when I got over to the amp, somehow I stood on the lead and snapped the jack that was plugging in the bass guitar. The bass cut out and everyone in the room was suddenly looking at me!, instinctivly I put my hand onto the jack and the pressure of that must have reconnected the wires and the bass came back on. I spent the rest of the gig, on stage, holding the guys plug in place trying not to move my hand a millimetre. And of course no one had a spare lead so I had to stay there. Whats the bet if I had let if fall it would have just kept going sweet as!
How did you come up with the band name The Phoenix Foundation?
Macgyver.
How do you describe your music?
J.J. Cale meets Pink Floyd at Vangelis's yoga retreat with canopes.
What can we expect to see from The Phoenix Foundation over the next year?
New Songs, we've got a good handful of them on this tour and heaps more on the go. We'll do an album as well.
What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
Find a practice space where you can leave your gear set up and get something / anything to make a recording on. Even if it's budget as, you'll learn alot from recording, you don't need to be to attached to the recording, you might not even try to make something you're gonna release, just make some art, you'll enjoy it and learn alot about your sound.
About The Phoenix Foundation
With a career releasing and performing such a diverse range of music they appeal to any demographic. Their recent releases of Give Up Your Dreams, Fandango and Buffalo, have seen them receive high acclaim from publications such as Mojo, Q, Uncut, NME and The Guardian. BBC Radio Personalities such as Lauren Laverne and Jarvis Cocker are fans. They have performed on stages around the globe from ‘…Later with Jools Holland’ (BBC TV) to The Big Day Out to Glastonbury.
They have written soundtracks for many TV Shows, Commercials and Films, including New Zealand’s Top grossing film of all time Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Boy and Eagle Vs Shark by Oscar Nominee director Taika Waititi.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for The Phoenix Foundation
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