What is the best gig you have ever performed at, and why?
I'd have to say a show that stands out in my mind was New Years' in Nelson with Shihad. Sweet crowd and Shihad themselves were amazing, good times all round.
What is your favourite NZ venue?
Dux de Lux (Christchurch) Personally I'm a fan of the smaller gigs, a better chance to really interact with the audience and coming home for an intimate sweaty gathering is always a treat!
What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
Dictaphone Blues & Motocade. Both hardworking and genuine musicians who write music with depth and integrity. Amen
What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?
Oh man so many.. most I'd rather leave on tour but one that comes to mind (which is more an on tour than on stage moment) is on tour with 48May, we were all crashing on some randoms lounge floor somewhere in Napier from memory. A few beverages had been consumed over the course of the night and eventually we all bunked up for the night. About 4am in the morning it was pitch black as I awoke to some feet shuffling.. the sound of a zip being undone and I heard our bass player saying "man.. what are you doing.. bro stop!" next thing you know there's the sound of water on a blow up mattress... only it wasn't water... turns out one of the crew members was sleep walking and thought he had made it to the toilet... if our bass player had have woken a second later he probably wouldn't be the same person he is today..
How did you come up with the band name Falter?
To be honest when we started out as a band we were in the mindset that a band name is just a brand, a name that people use to identify you. So as a result the band name was something we didn't discuss in length or take too much time to find meaning behind. In saying that I do like the idea of having a band name that truly represents what the band stands for. But really when you think about it..smashing pumpkins, foo fighters??...
How do you describe your music?
Our music is catchy, melodic and memorable. We try to bridge the gap between pop and alternative mainly because we all have a love for both genres but it's fair to say it probably leans more towards pop.. but live we'll bring a rock show no doubt.
What can we expect to see from Falter over the next year?
We've just released our debut album 'As Far As I Can Get From Here' so we're going to be busy playing shows, sharing more music with as many people as possible and hopefully introducing more and more new recruits! We're also planning on doing some travelling overseas with shows in the pipeline for Australia and America.
What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
Decide what it is you want to achieve as a musician from the beginning and always set goals to make this happen (be prepared for things to go pear shaped along the way!). Expect a journey of high's and lows that come with this industry and be firm in what you stand for and believe in. In saying that you also need the ability to be adaptable! Above all make sure your playing music for the right reasons and that you're always seeking new inspiration to better yourself as an artist and keep it all the more enjoyable!
Falter is Ben (bass, vocals), Thaddeus (drums), Simon (guitar, vocals) and Hook (guitar, vocals).
Website Links
Muzic.net.nz Profile
MySpace Profile
Amplifier Profile
Falter's debut album 'As Far As I Can Get From Here' is out now!
What is the best gig you have ever performed at, and why?
The Big Chill Bar in London, because it was my first gig playing my own material and it went well despite the nerves! I also really enjoyed playing at Sandwiches in Wellington recently, as it was my first gig back home after being away for almost a decade.
What is your favourite NZ venue?
When I was younger I used to love going to St James Cabaret in Wellington to see bands like Supergroove and Shihad. I've been away for quite a while and I don't think it's even there anymore. I'm sure there's a lot of new cool places now and I'm looking forward to checking them all out.
What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
I'm a big Salmonella Dub fan and always like seeing them play live. I really enjoyed seeing Supergroove in London last year after they reformed and would be keen to see them again. Also looking forward to seeing more of my mate's bands Elephant of the Ocean in Wellington and The Flaming Drivers in Queenstown.
What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?
Thankfully I haven't had any hugely embarrassing moments so far... not on stage anyway!
How did you come up with the name Psyrok?
It was given to me in a dream by an ancient spirit.
How do you describe your music?
Original. Individual. Empathetic.
What can we expect to see from you over the next year?
I am finishing up a new EP in collaboration with Swedish vocalist Li'l Sister Jen at the moment, it will be titled 'Akinosuke' and will be released in the next few months. There is also a new remix of one of my tracks available for free download from my muzic.net.nz profile. (Ed Note - you must be logged in to download this track).
What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
The people who are successful in what they do are the ones who don't give up on it.
Website Links
Muzic.net.nz Profile
MySpace Profile
Amplifier Profile
What is the best gig you have ever performed at, and why?
In 1984 I mimed 'Blue Suede Shoes' by Elvis to about 60 people, it was my first gig, I was 8.
What is your favourite NZ venue?
Nothing has beaten Caanan Downs, The Gathering 1996-99, those were tha days!
What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
TrinityRoots, becoz I miss them.
What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?
I wet my pants while MCing in a club in Christchurch. Luckily no-one saw, so I pretended that I spilt a beer down my trousers.
What inspires you when writing music?
To be or not to be.
How do you describe your music?
Sound waves that tickle your soul.
What can we expect to see from you over the next year?
More art.
What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
Always own your art. You will thank me in about 15 years time.
Website Links
Muzic.net.nz Profile
Official Website
MySpace Profile
Amplifier Profile
Rocked The Nation 2: 100 NZ Pop Culture Stories
On Monday (July 6th), Satellite Media and C4 follow up the successful Rocked the Nation: 100 NZ Music Moments documentary series, with another six part series counting down 100 of New Zealand’s most influential, attention grabbing moments in pop culture.
Hosted by New Zealand’s own Rhys Darby, ‘Rocked The Nation 2’ will take viewers on a ride through the top 100 moments in New Zealand’s pop culture. We’ll revisit the important and the trivial, the famous and the infamous and investigate the events that make up the fabric of our kiwi lives.
Premieres Monday July 6th / 8.30pm C4
Register now for Battle of the Bands!
Registration for the 2009 National Battle of the Bands championship is now open. The championship is set to become NZ's largest R18 Band competition with events taking place nationwide; allowing bands throughout the country to participate.
Elimination rounds will be held at multiple live music venues in the main centres of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch as well as additional regional heats across the country. Judging and audience voting determines each region’s champion; who then represent their region at the National Final in Auckland.
Interested bands can register at the Battle's web site www.battleofthebands.co.nz and entry only costs $60.
New Releases
Salmonella Dub - Freak Local EP
The Freak Local EP is a selection of mixes from Salmonella Dub's 7th album 'proper' due for release in October.
The EP features vocal contributions from the amazing Tuhoe diva Whirimako Black and MC madness from our Aotearoa celtic rasta, The Mighty Asterix. All mixed fresh for your ears from the bands Hapuku studio in Kaikoura.
More information on Salmonella Dub
Site Of The Moment: iTICKET
iTICKET supplies ticketing facilities for events of all sizes. Tickets can be purchased online with a credit card or with cash or EFTPOS any any NZ Post Shop nationwide.
New Artists
The following musicians were added to the muzic.net.nz website recently. Check them out:
Good Laika | Scientist |
Inga | SLR |
Brandon Reihana | TREi |
Artist of the moment: Minuit
MINUIT, the Kiwi band with the French name, have been jigglin' hips in Berlin and beyond. But still calling New Zealand home, they're back in the country with their brand new album.
And like the past three years of the band's career, it's quite a ride!
Fronted by the enigmatic Ruth Carr, her coy persona ignites and intrigues, while bandmates Ryan Beehre and Paul Dodge deliver an inventive indie arsenal which never loses sight of the desire to create fantastic songs.
'Find Me Before I Die A Lonely Death Dot Com' is the new album from Minuit is due for release on 20 July. muzic.net.nz Artist Profile
Competitions
Past competition winners can be viewed here.
Don't miss out on your chance to win the following prizes:
Please note - you must be logged in to enter competitions.
Reviews
Here are our latest reviews:
- Mercury Crowe - Set Your Mind To Fly album review
Tour Features
Every feature we have ever had on the site can be viewed here.
Information about muzic.net.nz newsletters
The next muzic.net.nz newsletter is going out on
19 July and will feature Mercury Crowe & Good Laika.
We have space available in our newsletters from 2 August onwards. You can request a date in advance that suits you, or feature in the next available newsletter. There has been a lot of interest in newsletter features this year, so if you would to have a newsletter feature within the next 2 months you should contact Lisa as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. We can feature you/your band even if you have already been featured in a newsletter from a previous year.
With our newsletters being sent out to over 7300 members and this number growing every day, featuring in our newsletter provides awesome exposure for you or your band. And, as the people who receive our newsletters have subscribed to them, they are more likely to read what you have to say.
If you would like to advertise your next album release or tour in our newsletter and/or gig mail out email Lisa. It is 100% FREE to feature or advertise in our newsletter and gig mail outs! We also offer advertising on the muzic.net.nz website for very competitive rates.
We can also feature record labels, venues, music websites and anything else that has something to do with NZ music.
Our next gig mail out is going out on 12 July.
- The muzic.net.nz team