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Kasium - Kasium Newsletter Interview

14 Mar 2011 // An interview by Shade

Kasium is Kieran Cooper (vocals, guitar), Chris Birch (drums, vocals) and Paul Braddock (bass) playing a unique brand of post-grunge-alternative-rock. Formed in 2008 in Auckland, the 3 piece have written and recorded their debut EP 'Premonition' and produced a video for their track 'Drowned'. 

Currently working on a full length studio album with new material and an evolving sound. This has all been interspersed with numerous live shows for of a growing and appreciative audience"

What can we expect to see from Kasium over the next year?

You'll hear tracks from our upcoming album on the radio, we'll release a really cool music video Bjorn Ahman has produced for us, then we'll release the album and get out on the road 

What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?

I think knowing what you want is important. If you wanna write/play songs at home in your spare time or play in a covers band or something, thats cool, have lots of fun with it. 

If you want to write/play original music as more than a hobby then you have to be committed and adaptable. If you are serious about getting out there then you wont just be jamming in the garage, you'll likely be your own managers, booking agents, promoters etc

It can be a lot of work but also very rewarding when you see it paying off. 

Who are your favourite NZ musicians/bands, and why?

At heart we are Rock fans so Ryan Kershaw Band's 'Little Green Dragon' EP is a favourite as well as This Theory Of Static's 'Electricity' album. The songs are great and they spent time on getting the production quality really good. 

Dakota Scream are a great live band we often gig with, lots of on stage energy and great songs. Trip-hop/industrial band Codeine Like Candy's EP is awesome. Die! Die! Die!'s 'Promises Promises' is always in my CD player as well as The Demi Whores 'Vol 1'. 

Were also all big fans of Decortica. Its exciting and inspiring to see them doing so well and they deserve it. They work really hard and produce excellent music/videos/shows. Im getting carried away here but Just One Fix totally need a mention too. 

'Blood Horizon' is a fantastic album and they are awesome to see on stage. We're really excited to be gigging with them and Dakota Scream at Zeal on April 30th

What will Kasium’s next release be?

The music video for our track 'Drowned' will be released after we plug our singles for radio play.

How do you come up with your lyrics?

I try to decide what Im getting at when I put pen to paper. Is it something Im trying to say? Is it just cool sounding phrasing? If I am trying to say something I try not to give away too much these days. Being too literal is not so interesting! 

Who would you most like to support live?

It'd be really cool to tour with Shihad. It'd be really awesome to see behind the scenes what has gotten them to where they are. I have so much respect for that band. They seem humble despite doing so well. 

I ditched school one day to go to a signing they did at Sounds on Queen st when they released 'General Electric'. That was an awesome moment for me!

How do you believe Kasium fits into the NZ music industry?

I believe there is still a place for our style of music even though pop music is so trendy. The means of getting music to your target audience is always changing but I hope we do well regardless of whether its getting signed, staying independent etc 

How do you describe Kasium’s music?

Somewhere between Grunge and Hard Rock. We get quite a few references to Alice in Chains and even Soundgarden from people who see us play. I think thats great but we certainly have our own twist. And our songs vary a lot in style etc so we hope it stays interesting

What is your favourite NZ venue?

ST JAMES! What the #*&k happened there?! That venue was so great and I saw so many great bands there. Bring it back! Otherwise I definitely like The Powerstation and The Kings Arms.

What is the best part of being a musician?

Going full circle. Creating something you are proud of and having someone enjoy it and get their own experience and feeling from it. Thats what I love about any form of art.

What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?

All the above NZ bands I mentioned, because they are all awesome as well as Crash Test For Favourite Things. Sorry we haven't seen you guys yet! We will real soon.

What is in your CD collection at home?

Aside from the NZ music I listed above Im enjoying listening to Kristen Hersh, Soundgarden/Chris Cornell, Alice in Chains, Smashing Pumpkins, Deftones, REM, Jeff Buckley, CKY, Sonic Youth. 

The other guys are much the same but Paul is more into Metal/Hardcore and Chris likes Prog Rock/Metal quite a bit too

What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?

We played at the Kings Arms a couple years ago and the mic stand came loose and drooped down. I was playing as well as trying to fix it. 

It just came loose again so my buddy Jayce ran up on stage and put it together, tore my T-shirt to pieces and ran away again. Ok so its not THAT embarrassing but it was pretty funny.

What is your favourite place in NZ to be?

I love the Bay of Islands and Northland. Also Wellington, what a great city.

What inspired you to start Kasium?

I had a bunch of songs and loved to play and got pretty down when I wasn't doing something about it. Now I'm in the band I've always wanted to be in, playing music I'm really into. 

I'm lucky to have found a couple of great musicians who are so into it too and contribute so much to it.

How did you come up with the name Kasium?

Initials from two current and one past band member

What is the best gig you have ever performed at, and why?

Playing bFM Fancy New Bands Showcase at Shadows was quite cool. We had a manic crowd that night. Our last gig at Kings Arms was good fun too. It was a great turnout and we debuted a new song which went off.

How do you keep in contact with your fans?

Social Networking sites are a massive part of it. We have http://www.kasium.co.nz/ now also but like most NZ bands we keep our Facebook etc pages up to date so people know what we are doing.

What rumour would you like to start about Kasium?

That we didnt actually meet at a Star Wars fan convention.

 

About Kasium

Kasium is Kieran Cooper, Chris Birch & Paul Braddock playing a unique brand of post-grunge-alternative-rock. Formed in 2008 in Auckland, New Zealand, the 3 piece have written and recorded their debut EP 'Premonition' and produced a video for the track 'Drowned'. Currently working on a full length studio album with new material and an evolving sound. This has all been interspersed with numerous live shows for of a growing and appreciative audience




Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Kasium

Releases

Exhale
Year: 2011
Type: Album
Premonition EP
Year: 2009
Type: EP

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