Thanks to Steve for answering these questions:
What can we expect to see from Left or Right over the next year?
A short tour of Australia later this year, an extensive summer NZ tour in early 2013 + a bunch of writing and jamming new material for our 3rd record.
What will Left or Right’s next release be?
I'd imagine it'll be our third album, released on 12" Vinyl, CD & Cassette as well as onlline. Don't ask me when that will be though!
How do you come up with your lyrics?
I personally enjoy sometimes using Buzzy Dreams as a starting point for lyric writing. There seem to be no boundaries when writing from dreams. Also if the lyrics turn out rubbish, the other guys will soon let me know!
Who would you most like to support live?
ZZ Top would be phat. Those cats have got to be one of the longest running bands ever - same three dudes all the way!
What is your favourite NZ venue?
It’s hard to narrow it down, but I’ll give you several personal favs of mine…
Red Cliff Café, Te Anau: The hospitality is second to none. The staff are exceptional and are always great company. It is also probably the smallest venue in NZ (Metz has to build his drum kit upwards instead of outward). They look after you so well there that you generally play between 3 and 5 sets.
Mussel Inn, Onekaka: Again the hospitality is amazing. The food is outstanding and Mussel Inn brewed beers and ciders are incredible. Ask any band that has had the privilege of playing there and they’ll have nothing but good stuff to say.
Sammys, Dunedin: On a big night at Sammys there is nothing quite like it. We held our Dunedin album release show for ‘Nuggety’ there back in 2009 and it was a magical night with an epic line up of bands & DJs. It’s always nice to play up on a big high stage too. We are doing our ‘Buzzy’ album release show there too.
Yot Club, Raglan: Choice venue. There is a beer on the table upon arrival, a bag of beers to chill with before the show and more beers to drink when you play your set. Always a late show too, it’s not uncommon for it to hit 10:30pm and you’ll still be wondering if anyone is going to show up and then BANG 11pm rolls round and all the locals come out of the woodwork. Pete Coddington is the man too.
Playhouse Café, Mapua: A special mention to the Playhouse as I’m sure it is the only venue in NZ to have it’s own custom built backyard cricket oval which is able to host night test matches! Everything we could have ever wanted.
What is the best part of being a musician?
Being 100% dedicated to the mission and having a full schedule of band work and correspondence to keep up with and do each and every day. Yes we are on the bones of our arse in terms of money but we are doing something we are very passionate about and are super determined to achieve all our goals. And if I'm truly honest I love that we can enjoy the odd beer (or 6) on the job ;)
What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
The Phoenix Foundation and The Checks. Two bands I took a while to get into but now really enjoy their entire back catalogs. Both bands write awesome songs. I'm also really digging anything Aaron Takona is doing at the moment, but who isn't?! That guys oozes class. Oh and any bands involved with our own labels annual music festival held in Dunedin - 'Feastock'.
What is in your CD collection at home?
I don't have a CD collection but I have a pretty extensive Vinyl collection which I absolutely treasure!
What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?
Once after a show in Ohakune back in 2008 we got horrendously taken advantage of by the two other bands we were supporting - who got us very drunk whilst playing a drinking game. I proceeded to urinate in the upstairs backstage area in front of everyone and eventually decided I was going to walk about 10km back to the accom. I woke up in a booth in a train carriage themed cafe surrounded by tourists either side of me.
What is your favourite place in NZ to be?
The West Coast of the South Island. Always a blast to tour the coast, the people are outstanding and the shows are usually buzzy as, in a good way!
What rumour would you like to start about Left or Right?
We've just been headhunted by an international act to support them on a tour of Asia & the Europe in late 2012.
Southern New Zealand band Left Or Right are excited to announce the release of their second record Buzzy through local label MrYoda Productions. As with their debut record Nuggety, Buzzy will be available in four formats: 12" Double Orange Vinyl, CD, Cassette, and download via ITunes, Bandcamp & Amplifier.
Since the release of their 2009 debut record, Left Or Right have continued on their mission of extensive touring: appearing at some of NZ’s sweetest festivals along the way (Kaikoura Roots, Feastock & Catlins River Festival), and performing alongside many of NZ’s highest profile acts (The Black Seeds, Kora & Salmonella Dub). All the while, the band have also been honing their song writing craft, with an eye to the recording of the new album, Buzzy.
Just under a year in the making, Buzzy was recorded in Dunedin at Albany St Studios by Mike Holland and Left or Right, and Mastered by Dale Cotton (Beastwars, The Bats). The making of Buzzy has very much lived up to the record’s title, diving into an intense and at times bizarre world of sound.