Weka is a three-piece electronica band combining unique timbres with pulsing bass and punching drums. Formed of Angus Woodhams on keys and controllers, Mitch Harty on guitar, and Cathal Lennon on drums, Weka’s instrumental electronic sound is diverse, beautiful, and thought provoking, urging audiences to dance uninhibitedly.

What makes Wellington such a special place to perform?

I studied here in Wellington at the New Zealand School of Music, so it's always held a special place in my heart. I majored in Sonic Arts, a weird and wonderful discipline that exposed me to an array of music from around the world.

After I graduated in 2009, I set up Weka as a solo act, touring my music and organising events across the city. There was something about being an artist in Wellington that made me feel like anything was possible. It’s unique in being a capital city with a village feel, so everyone gets stuck in, and it attracts amazing talent. There’s a vibe here that you don’t seem to get in cities like London.

You took a big break from music; can you tell me about it?

My years after graduating were not ideal. Unfortunately, I had a mental break down and did not have the capacity pursue what I loved anymore. Something needed to change.

So, I retrained as a primary teacher and like many kiwis, an escape on an OE was just what I needed. I sold all my music gear and set off overseas in 2015, living abroad in Australia and the UK for over 5 years. During that time, I focused on therapy while intentionally building a life and a career in education, something that made me focus on growing the minds and interests of others.

I told myself, don't come back until you stop taking home for granted.

During my later years in London, the mental cloud began to lift, the itch for music started rising again. I brought pieces of gear here and there and started dabbling. And in that time, the call for home also came knocking. So, in 2021, I returned home. And while I had changed, I found Wellington still felt like home – a comforting, familiar place with an arts scene as vibrant as I remember.

What’s the story behind you changing from a solo performer to becoming a three-piece electronica act?

Since getting back into music, I felt something was missing. I had grown a lot and wanted my music to grow with me.

Luckily, I bumped into an old friend at a wedding – an amazing guitarist with a cool metal style called Mitch. Over glasses of wine and shared stories of the old days, we decided there and then that he’d join Weka. He’d give my music the new edge that it needed.

Now I had a guitarist, I felt we also needed a drummer. It didn’t take long to rope in another friend whom I met when I moved back here, Cathal – a fantastic musician with a funky style that really complimented the unique sound we were developing.

Who are your influences?

Ultimately, it all goes back to my high school teacher, Mrs Pierard. She saw something in me and pushed me to pursue music, not taking no for an answer.

She made me a lead in the school play and pushed me to join the school choir, even though I was very reluctant. But it seemed she knew me better than I knew myself, as I ended up really enjoying both of those experiences.

Without her encouragement, I would not have attended the New Zealand School of Music, and wouldn’t be performing today.

In terms of Weka’s style, artists like Massive Attack, The Chemical Brothers, and Bonobo really influence the sound we produce. Before moving away, my music was more of a downbeat chill vibe, but since Cathal and Mitch have joined Weka, our diverse tastes have created such a unique sound. We’ve crafted our music to take listeners on a journey – a mixture of downbeat and post rock, through to techno and world inspired dance music.

I love what we’re creating, and seeing people boogying around to our music reminds me every day why I came back to music.

Tell me about the other acts you’re performing with at Moon

Tyson is another old friend. He is a master of so many styles and is an absolute beast on the guitar, so I've given him free reign to warm the room up then keep the vibe going at multiple points throughout the night. His original music mixes rock, blues, folk, electronic, world music and freeform improvisation.

I didn't really know Grains or Zuke personally. However, after seeing them perform, something clicked for me, and I knew I wanted to share a stage with them. Their kaupapa seemed to be carving out a niche for instrumental electronic music in the capital, so I jumped at the chance to work with them.

We are super excited to debut our updated sound alongside some of the city’s finest musicians. I crafted the night like a DJ would, curating the vibe so the audience are taken on a journey from the chill through to the foot stomping. 

We love Pink Floyd and LCD Soundsystem, which fits perfectly with the progressive instrumental electronica of Grains. 

Ed Zuccollo, aka Zuke, is the consummate performer and one of the best musicians in town, having also played with Trinity Roots, The Black Seeds and KITA. He melds lush electronic bass music with improvised lines through a Minimoog synthesiser.

We can't wait to share the stage with such artists, it inspires us and drives us to keep moving and developing our sound, ahead of an album release in 2025.

Come down to Moon on Friday 27 September, 2024 and for one night only, boogie along to:

- Prog-electronica act Grains
- Synth wizard Zuke
- Sonic adventurers Weka
- And groove master Tyson

These Te Whanganui-a-Tara-based acts meld electronic and instrumental sounds with their own unique twist. They’ll take you on a journey from chill to foot-stomping, all washed down late into the night with refreshing drinks and delicious pizza.

Tickets are available on the door or at Under the Radar.

Interview provided by Jessica Rowley

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