Jason McIver is a singer/songwriter based in Auckland. He has been performing and recording for the past 15 years in various bands and outfits all over NZ and has even popped over to Australia for a few gigs. Thanks to Jason for answering the following questions:
Who are your role models in the NZ music industry?
I would say John Toogood, I haven't always liked all of Shihad's music but he has never been afraid of trying new things and going out on a limb, I admire that in a musician.
Which one of your songs are you most proud of, and why?
I'm currently most proud of how Look To The Stars has turned out, it's freshly recorded so I'm enjoying it but otherwise my song Ocea is also very close to my heart and has done the best out of all the songs I've written.
Do you have any plans for future collaborations with other musicians? Who would they be?
In the Jason McIver Collective I have musician friends jump in to add their flavour, Matt Hill from a Wellington band called Broke often plays lead guitar for me, his style and flavour really adds to my music.
Where is your favourite place to relax in NZ?
Motueka, my home town is beautiful and then so is Tauranga, I have recently met some amazing musicians in Tauranga that I love working with.
What has been your most memorable show to date?
Playing at The Powerstation this year with Heathen Eyes, it was amazing to finally play on that stage where I had seen The Pixies and The Wailers, just a great feeling!
What is your long term goal?
To keep making music for a living and to finish and release The Big Blue EP, followed by touring to promote it.
What can we expect to see from you over the next year?
Well, I've just been fundraising via Indiegogo to help finish my EP, once it's done I will be dotting around NZ to play as much as possible either by myself or with the Jason McIver Collective (J.M.C).
Tell us about your next release.
I started recording it this year, the title came from a dream I had as a 14 year old, it was so vivid that afterwards I drew the album cover perfectly along with its name. The Cystal Pool was mixed and mastered by Zorran Mendonsa, the next track I release Look To The Stars was mixed by Scott Seabright at Roundhead Studios and mastered again by Zorran. It's very pretty but still somewhat dark, I've tried not to use traditional drum kits on the tracks opting for percussion rather..... it's acoustic based but there is plenty of electric guitar in it too.
It's keeping me interested, I just want to put out moody, pretty, dark and thought provoking songs.
What inspired you to become a musician?
Music did, I've always sung, I would imitate Elvis and Michael Jackson as a kid lots. Music just kinda happened, I would tinkle away on mum and dad's old piano as a kid but I guess what inspired me to play guitar and get serious was Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness by Smashing Pumpkins, that album was life changing for me and I still love it.
The Jason McIver Collective have released two highly praised and charting albums since 2015 and in 2019 that catalogue will continue to expand.
After moving bases from Auckland to Taupo Jason refreshed the line-up, featuring original bassist Si Folkard moving to lead guitar/vocals, bassist John Curtis and drummer Andrew Marshall.
The music explores the many emotions and movements occurring in life and celebrates a diverse scope of song writing.