Coridian are set to tear up New Zealand during November with Anemoia on their Blind Faith Tour. Coridian's growing live show has seen them perform with a number of amazing Kiwi bands such as Armed in Advance, Skinny Hobos and Silence The City. Their new single Blind Faith was recorded and mixed by Zorran Mendosa (New Way Home, Set on End), helping the band capture, polish and deliver in style. Kris answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:
How did you become involved in music?
Our (Kris, Mike and Nick) dad plays guitar and writes in a band called Iceberg and had various other bands so we had music around us from birth, we all played around on different instruments as kids but by our early teens we had all found our instrument and fell in and out of bands together. I would say The Who, was the first inspiration for us. Dity surrounded himself with music throughout his upbringing. He played piano in primary school and later in high school picking up the guitar, joining the school choir and sang in musicals so the natural progression for him as an adult was to channel that energy into a band.
If you could perform with anyone in the world, who would it be with and why?
I would say Brixton Academy would be pretty amazing, just because of how many cool and varied bands and artists have performed there. There are so many bands I/we would love to play with. I would say playing with Metallica would be a pretty buzzy experience just because they are on their own level
Which one of your songs are you most proud of, and why?
Blind Faith our new single, just because I love the groove and the lyrics, I love seeing people dance to it and the way it was recorded and produced made it even better. We worked with Zorran Mendosa on it and he just made it epic.
How would you describe your music to someone who hasn't heard it before?
Alternative rock with a metal tinge.
What can we expect to see from you in the next year?
Us on the radio hopefully haha. Another tour, another single, our debut album late next year
What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
I guess just more underground bands we play with getting more of a shot. The talent out there is insane. Anemoia are amazing live, Heart Thieves has cool vibes. Ciaran McMeeken is a cool dude with an amazing voice looking forward to see what he delivers next year. I would like to see the NZ music scene explode in the mainstream more.
What local albums have you been enjoying recently?
I am waiting to hear the new Armed in Advance album, Heart Thieves EP is cool, loving all the singles from City of Souls and Silence the City and I still love playing New Way Home’s Mirrors album.
What is your favourite NZ venue, and why?
The Powerstation for the memories, would love to play there or Kings Arms because everything there is amazing, as a performer and as an audience member. Mark is the best sound guy.
Have you got any tips for dealing with nerves before a gig?
Couple of beers, everyone has their own thing, I guess I am always in my own zone before the show but nerves will always be there somewhere.
How do you balance your music with other obligations; family, job etc.?
Band is a 2ndjob, not well paid but I consider it so. Got to put in the hours and work life around it. It just becomes part of life and you balance everything as much as you can
Where do you get your inspiration to create music from?
Listening to as much music as I can, new and old, repeating favourites over and over. Other bands and the drive they have. Getting excited by my own band and what they can do.
Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?
Don’t give up, it's hard work especially in NZ but there will always be a payoff in some way. Set a bunch of goals that are realistic and even some dreamlike ones haha. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s just a hobby!
Coridian is an alternative/progressive rock group from Auckland, New Zealand.
Formed in 2015, the band consists of brothers Mike Raven (Guitars/Keys), Kris Raven (Drums/Percussion), Nick Raven (Bass) & Dity Maharaj (Vocals/Artwork)
They’ve been described as, “Raven brothers (Mike, Kris and Nick respectively) work as a well-oiled machine; the gear box of which is Maharaj, his vocals taking the band from a hum to a scream within seconds” (Ambient Light)