Thanks to Alex for answering these questions:
What can we expect to see from Gatherer over the next year?
You'll get to see a lot more of us being a real band.
What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
Patience, perseverance and an open mind.
Who are your favourite NZ musicians/bands, and why?
The Body Lyre, Spook the Horses, Tim Armstrong, Electric Wire Hustle, Jakob. There are many we love for their individuality. They're crafty suckers.
What will Gatherer's next release be?
Our first record 'So Be It' is out in May. It's going to feel great to finally let it go onto other ears.
How do you come up with your lyrics?
We write on our experiences and opinions. Swerving thesaurus.com at every point possible.
Who would you most like to support live?
It'd be really nice to play a string of tours / festivals where you get to play with different bands everyday. It'd be fresh and you'd meet people. That’s what we'd like to happen.
How do you believe Gatherer fits into the NZ music industry?
We're really proud to be kiwis living away from home. I think we have a lot to offer stylistically that people my not have heard before.
What can you never leave home without?
Brushing my teeth.
How do you describe Gatherer's music?
We're a rock band that draws influence from genres across the board. It's not a simple and straight forward answer because we all have different tastes at times. It encourages us to experiment.
What is your favourite NZ venue?
Anywhere that doesn't elevate you 50 ft in the air is good. It's fun being on the same floor as the crowd and creating a posse. The lounge has a sweet intimacy about it.
What is the best part of being a musician?
Collaborating with your friends.
What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
There are a ton of people overseas doing great things and we wish we could see more often.
What is in your CD collection at home?
It's not much of a collection, it's mostly digital now. There are a few! Susanne Sundfor's The Brothel, Serena Maneesh: Abyss in B Minor and some Crowded House mate.
What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?
I think any kind of gear malfunction at the beginning of any set can be pretty hilarious. Having a stand collapse under the weight of a some heavy keys was mine - doesn't exactly set you up for a good time!
What is your favourite place in NZ to be?
Living in Melbourne, I think anywhere our family and friends are is an excellent place to be.
What inspired you to start Gatherer?
Everything happened at just the right time. Somewhere between Rockquest groups. Starting this new one those 6 years ago was an opportunity to write music we weren't used to.
How did you come up with the name Gatherer?
Well, we wanted a name that was to the point & actually meant something to us - unlike our older group which was a case of us matching up words that we thought, at that time, were aesthetically pleasing.
What is the best gig you have ever performed at, and why?
There have been good and bad gigs but I don't think we know that just yet.
How do you keep in contact with your fans?
Facebook seems to be the best way. That and at the shows.
What rumour would you like to start about your band?
Our guitarist Jordan bought himself a little toe ring up in the Gold Coast recently. He plays like he lost it since then but we all know whats glimmering in those kicks. A wee good luck charm eh Jord?
The first track from their debut full length album called So Be It, Regular Frontier establishes the Gatherer proclamation in honest clarity: growing up is a bit shit. Relocations are never easy, especially with a body of water separating the comforts of their home town Wellington, New Zealand to the reality of independence and opportunity offered in Melbourne, Australia. It was never going to be a relaxed transition, but it was imperative for the band to move into their next phase of existence.
On So Be It, Gatherer has drawn on a combination of life experiences and influences, cohesively blending the pop sensibilities of Nine Inch Nails, the genuine melodic rock of Cave-In and a hint of Converge/Isis inspired heaviness with the vocal rhythms and melody of Queen and Tears For Fears.
A wall of syncopated sound, coupled with strikingly unconventional rhythm, dynamics and harmonies take the Gatherer sound to a complete original aural spectrum. This, along with an honest approach to lyrical content, completes the Gatherer package.