The Black Seeds - The Black Seeds Newsletter Interview
08 Nov 2009 // An interview by Shade
Thanks to Mike Fabulous for answering these questions:
What is the best gig you have ever performed at, and why?
The best gig in recent memory has to be a show we did in Hamburg near the end of our US/European tour. We had a great set, came out and did a three song encore, but even after the lights had come up and the music was put on the audience wouldn't stop cheering... for a full five minutes. We realised they weren't going to let us leave and so we went back on and brought the house down with an impromptu version of Senegal. It was wild, reminded me very much of the early days of the band for some reason. Thanks Hamburg!
What is your favourite NZ venue?
Hmmm, tough. So many different venues with so many quirks but I guess my favourite New Zealand venue would have to be the Mussel Inn in Takaka. It's tiny, brews it's own beer and has a piano. I also like... Wellington Town Hall, Christchurch Town Hall, The Powerstation, Mighty Mighty and The Leigh Sawmill Cafe.
What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
I would like to see more of The Ruby Suns and Bachelorette because I love their music and wish they were my friends. I have never seen The Ruby Suns live, except on YouTube. I would also like to see my Nautical Disco outfit 'Star-Board' rise to the top of the cruise ship circuit, and play a homecoming gig at The Tug Boat in Wellington.
What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?
To be honest, there aren't really that many. I'm too organised/responsible/afraid of being embarrassed. The rest of the band calls me 'Uncle Dad' and I'm usually the first to go to bed. However, I have plenty of embarrassing stories about other people.
How did you come up with the band name The Black Seeds?
I didn't!
How do you describe your music?
I don't, I just play it!
What can we expect to see from The Black Seeds over the next year?
We're just about to release a live album which we've been wanting to do for a very long time! It's only available from our website and live shows which is cool. We're doing some great festivals over summer, looking forward to Rippon and Homegrown. After summer we'll probably start hanging out and doing some recording. We'll also be going back to Europe and the States so it's really a question of trying to squeeze everything in, which isn't a bad postition to be in.
What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
Learn to trust your instincts in all matters. The mind only gets in the way, especially where music is concerned. Listen to all kinds of music. Be prolific, don't judge what you do and don't look back. Warm your body up thoroughly before you play. Be nice.
About The Black Seeds
Originating from Wellington, The Black Seeds have carved out their reputation through platinum selling albums, a masterful live show, and a sound that fuses infectious grooves and melodies with undiluted roots music. With numerous European festival tours behind them, and a successful 2009 North American album release, their following continues to spread quickly around the globe.
Led by the vocals of Barnaby Weir and Daniel Weetman, at its core The Black Seeds music is a boundary-crossing sound fusion of big-beat funk, dub, soul, mixed with vintage roots-reggae.
Described by Clash Magazine as "one of the best reggae acts on the planet", their legendary 8-piece live show brings the raw energy and good vibes wherever it goes. They have countless sell-out New Zealand and Australasian tours behind them, and regularly perform at many of Europe and North America’s biggest festivals.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for The Black Seeds