Armed in Advance have been making waves in NZ music for a few years now, having performed with These Four Walls, Ekko Park, Black River Drive, I Am Giant and more recently Setting Fire To Stacey and Baker's Eddy, but in October those waves are set to become tidal with the release of their highly-anticipated debut album Change/Evolve on 7 October. With music that is a total assault on your senses, this is one of 2016's must buy albums.
AIA released their latest single Running You Down on 4 August, which is an excellent taster for what the album holds. JP answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:
How did you become involved in music?
I've been obsessed with Rock and Metal since I was a kid, and by the time I got to my last year in High School I couldn't handle the thought of working a 'real job' - music was the only thing I cared about. So I picked up a guitar and started learning, even though I'd tried and failed a couple times before. The next year I was enrolled in a course at MAINZ, and the rest is history... With an unfortunate caveat, which is that countless 'real jobs' followed once I realised just how difficult it was making actual money in the music industry, haha.
If you could perform with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
I'm a huge Chevelle fan, so if we ever had an opportunity to open a show for them, I would cry tears of joy.
Which one of your songs are you most proud of, and why?
Our latest single Running You Down, because it's got a filthy riff and gets the job done with out any mucking around. No frills, all thrills. Make sure you check it out!
How would you describe your music to someone who hasn't heard it before?
An impromptu meeting with a cast iron frying pan to your FACE. But in a good way.
What can we expect to see from you in the next year?
Touring, probably a few new singles off of our upcoming debut album Change/Evolve, promoting the album, and getting right back into writing.
What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
New Zealand has a disproportionate amount of high quality Rock and Metal bands at the moment, considering our humble size and how far removed we are from the rest of the planet; and because there's so many great artists doing great things, I hope everyone who is working their arses off right now gets themselves heard.
What local albums have you been enjoying recently?
Auckland bands Ekko Park, Coridian and Anemoia have all released some quality jams in the last year or so, definitely worth checking out.
What is your favourite NZ venue, and why?
The Powerstation, seen more than a few great shows from local and international acts, and of course hope to play on that stage myself one day!
Have you got any tips for dealing with nerves before a gig?
Practice so much that you're sick of the material, then get up there and have some fun; A few nervous butterflies before a set are useful, but as long as you're on top of the tunes you don't really have anything to worry about!
How do you balance your music with other obligations; family, job etc.?
Poorly! ...but I'm getting better at it. I think.
Where do you get your inspiration to create music from?
Literally everywhere. Here's a couple of quotes that best sum it up; "Taking time to live will only inspire your work", and "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working".
Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?
Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can, and above all, KEEP GOING.
Armed In Advance are a heavy rock trio from Auckland with a penchant for ruthlessly efficient, hard hitting post-grunge songs laced with pop sensibilities and thought provoking undertones. Hailing from Auckland, the band is made up of JP Carroll (guitar and vocals), Hugh Hokopaura (bass) and Ryan Thomas (drums).
Since starting out in 2013 under the moniker of Stitches, AIA have released an EP (Stitches EP, 2014) and a full length (Change/Evolve, 2016), and have subsequently had the honor of 5 songs gracing the NZ rock radiowaves over that time. The most recent success of rotation play for single Same Old Story on the country’s biggest rock radio station, the Rock FM, paved the way for a debut full length album described as “refreshing… modern hard rock with a point of difference.” (Muzic.net.nz)
Change/Evolve reached #9 on the NZ album charts, and was accompanied by a sold out Auckland release show. Two tracks from Change/Evolve were deemed worthy of NZ On Air funded music video grants (Same Old Story, Running You Down).