Newsletter Issue #175: 30 Mar 2008
Los Muertos
Thanks to Pete for answering these questions:
What is the best gig/event you have ever performed at, and why?
Woah, what a tough question to start off with. I really enjoyed playing at Killerfest earlier this year. It was wicked to have the chance to play with so many decent bands. But, I can't know if I can say that was the best gig ever. Opening for Thrice last year was one of those 'pinch me' moments. Not only did we get to play with one of my favourite bands, but we also got to play at The Powerstation. The Powerstation hasn't had much action over the past 5 or so years and to get a chance to play there was awesome. I will admit, every gig is the best one until the next. There isn't much more in life that I love doing other than playing shows. There's just nothing like it for me.
What is your favourite NZ venue?
My personal favourite these days is The Thirsty Dog in Auckland. The room is a great size, the stage is low which keeps the crowd close and the staff are awesome. There just ends up being that feeling of intimacy between the band and the crowd in a venue like that. I'm reminded of venues like Valve in Wellington and the old Pizza Pizza whenever I'm there.
What can we expect to see from Los Muertos over the next year?
Our self titled debut album hits stores April 7th, so the next year is shaping up to be a hectic one for Los Muertos. We're going to be busy in April and May doing gigs with the Bleeders, Full Nelson, Kitsch and Cobra Khan. Beyond that people can expect to see us out and about over the next 12 months playing where ever we can. We're going to have a month or two of down time due to personal and work commitments but the rest of the band will be working on new songs for the next record.
What other NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
Jakob springs to mind straight away. We had the pleasure of playing with them when we opened for Thrice last year. I'd never seen them live before and after they had finished I in awe by their performance. I'd love to see Antagonist and New Way Home more. Both bands have put out great records and their live performances are always impressive. One band I haven't seen live yet but I can't wait to catch is Strangers.
If you could, what rumour would you start about yourselves/yourself?
Damn.. The rumour would have to that one of us is a porn star. The only catch to this rumour would be that no one knows which one of us it is.
What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
From personal experience, the only advice I can give to aspiring musicians is to make things happen for yourselves. If you work hard, book your own gigs, network with other bands you're likely to get a loyal fan base. Make sure you use the tools that are there for you these days as well. Websites like Myspace, purevolume.com, muzic.net.nz, amplifier.co.nz are just some that you can use to get exposure and be heard. If you believe in what you're doing, others will too. The best part is, those others may be able to help you even more.
--Los Muertos' self-titled debut album comes out 7 April.
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Us As Robots
Thanks to David for answering these questions:
What is the best gig/event you have ever performed at, and why?
The most fun we have possibly ever had playing was last November. The show was to mark the break-up of Palmerston North band Collapse and also featured B-Side Electro Funk Disaster, Twice Daily and Blake. All the bands were great friends and it was just an amazing, fun environment to play in. The crowds were having fun and Collapse played a huge set to mark their break-up. We even carried Collapse's lead singer out of the door at the end. Most importantly though, we all left smiling and thats what music should really be about, making people feel good and walk out of a show satisfied.
What is your favourite NZ venue?
We would have to consider our favourite venue The Stomach in Palmerston North. It's so good to be around your peers and just enjoying music together. We play regular shows there and always have fun doing it. And its all thanks to the City Council! The venue is funded by them, so it keeps the only all-ages venue in Palmy going.
What can we expect to see from Us As Robots over the next year?
Over the next year, the band is hoping to get some writing done and possibly follow up our 2007 EP (avail. at Mango music in Palmy) we recorded with another recording, perhaps even a full length. Were also hoping to get further than our last-years efforts in the Smokefree Rockquest. Its our last year in the comp so were hoping to follow up our '07 Top 12 placing with a place in the Top 6.
What other NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
The Nerines are a new Indie band from Palmy that need to be looked at. They are producing some brilliant indie-pop tunes and they're still so early in their musical careers. Also Adam Gibson and Blake Johnston are working on their solo projects right now and are creating some tight tunes.
If you could, what rumour would you start about yourselves?
We would start a rumour that we couldn't do some remedial task like tie our shoelaces. Then everyone would ask why we can't tie our shoelaces. Then we could show them that we actually could tie our shoelaces. They would then shower us with praise over how good at it we have become over such a short time. This is the sort of human contact that would make them stick around for one of our shows. Then they would be able to check out our music live, something they may not have bothered with had they not felt the need to ask about our shoe-laces.
Crafty, aren't we!
What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
Play shows! Play and play and play. Even if you think you're terrible, playing shows will get you performance skills. And that will make you keep getting better and better. Even if its to 5 friends, its so beneficial to your craft. Get yourself out there as much as possible.
Oh, and also, make friends with the 'big man' in your town regarding music. The old saying 'its about who you know, not what you know' is pretty true in the music biz.
--The Us As Robots EP is out now.
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Every Man For Himself
Thanks to Shaun for answering these questions:
What is the best gig/event you have ever performed at, and why?
Honestly, any show where people have danced to our music, had a korero and a brown with us after and we’ve spent the van ride right home as a band reliving all the things we did and said. I have noticed a pattern though where these shows mainly happen in flats or houses where there are way too many people in a tiny room. Wellington last weekend at Brown Note with Scab, Congaline and Ornithologist was a perfect example of this, and the kind of show I keep practising for.
What can we expect to see from Every Man For Himself over the next year?
Hopefully a more focused unit than in years past. We’ve learnt plenty over the past six months from great local shows as well as a three-week stint in Aussie. Because of this we are working hard at present to lift our game in a range of areas. That includes being more selfish with our music and focusing on writing music that excites us as a band, right through to be being more creative with merch and promotional ideas etc. Ultimately though we are working towards our first full-length album which with any luck will be done within the year. That will serve as a yardstick for any progress we make from now.
What other NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
There are so many young, talented bands from all over NZ that never get the respect they deserve. Musically they can be as good as their bigger counterparts, but if they don’t get the support or shots others do, they quickly burn out. Currently Im enjoying bands like ACalmBefore, Congaline, Force Fed, Trauma and hope they don’t follow that same unfortunate path. As a band we are also glad to see the likes of Antagonist playing Big Day Out this year. They are a hard working unit, been a huge help to us as a band, and are a good representative from our scene at one of NZ’s biggest music events. Im not scared of seeing deserving bands holding a bit of mainstream spotlight.
If you could, what rumour would you start about yourselves?
That our band members were from trendy, old bands. That seems to be enough to give some other bands an instant key to scene stardom. We tried that tactic though, but apparently church worship bands don’t count.
What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
We’ve been through a number of phases and influences as a band where we have altered our sound for a time. It hasn’t always been for the best, or seen as a smart move by listeners whose opinions matter to us. My advice then would be for a new band to listen and plan first as opposed to rushing to pump music out. Decide where you want your music to be played, the message etc. and for whom your music is for. I’ve seen how quick perceptions of a band can be made and how long and hard it is to change them.
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New Artists
The following new bands and musicians were added to the muzic.net.nz website recently. Check them out:
Gig Features
El Schlong is going on tour to release their new album in style. Check out their tour feature here.
You can also have a look at our features on the Tour of Dirty and the Slave Metal Fest.
Want to have a look at all the features we've had on the site in the past? You can check them all out here.
Next Issue
The next issue of this newsletter is going out on the 13 April and will feature The Dukes and Waxplanet.
NZ Music Month Newsletters
We are currently looking for musicians and bands who would like to feature in our NZ music month newsletters.
If you are interested, send an email to [email protected] as soon as possible (first in, first served), and let me know if you would like to feature on 11 May or 25 May. All the info you need will then be sent through.
This invitation also extends to anyone who has featured in our newsletter in the past (but not in 2008) and would like to feature in it again.
Competitions
There haven't been any competitions on the site for a while, but rest assured, some new prizes will be added to the competitions page very very soon!
Important Music Industry Dates
Important 2008 dates for the NZ music industry can be viewed in this forum.
New Releases
Check out the following new releases:
Akaname - 'Filthlicker' (out now)
Goodnight Nurse - 'Keep Me On Your Side' (7 April)
Ethical - 'Ages Turn' (7 April)
Redline - 'Trapped Inside' (Mid April)
High Dependency Unit - 'Metamathics' (14 April)
Peter Urlich - 'Between You And Me' (21 April)
Shihad - 'Beautiful Machine' (29 April)
If you are a NZ musician and would like to contribute towards our newsletter by writing a guest editorial or by featuring in it, please email Lisa.
If you would like to advertise in our newsletter and/or gig mail out email Adam.
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