What can we expect to see from Mile High band over the next year?
Lots and lots of shows including our tour and some outdoor shows in summer. We're also planning on releasing a couple more singles this year.
What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
Firstly don't be a cock, it doesn't do you any favours - especially when the NZ Music Industry is so small, word spreads fast. Everyone is in a band - be accessible, be nice, appreciate others and other music but most of all appreciate the people who watch and support you.
Who are your favourite NZ musicians/bands?
Shihad, Weta, The Naked and Famous, Garageland, Breathe, Head Like A Hole, The Earlybirds.... too many to name!
What will Mile High?s next release be?
A single we just recorded last week that we're yet to name.
How do you come up with your lyrics?
Many times when we're writing the songs, our vocalist Dity free styles while the rest of the band writes and structure the song. Sometimes a hooky melody will surface, which can sometimes set the foundation to the feel and theme of the song.
Who would you most like to support live?
Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, Queens of the Stone Age, Spice Girls reunion tour.
How do you believe Mile High fits into the NZ music industry?
Supplying it's dose of high-energy, fun rock 'n roll without too much of the associated image bullshit.
What can you never leave home without?
Quinto: Hair gel.
Kev: A hoodie (even in Summer).
Dity: Drawing pad.
Kitty: His nickname.
Paul: A staunch look on his face.
How do you describe Mile High?s music?
Upbeat, fun, high energy and mistake-ridden.
What is your favourite NZ venue?
The Juice Bar and The Powerstation (would love to play there!). Also it's about time they fixed up the St James Theatre, that place was awesome.
What is the best part of being a musician?
The writing process - having a creative outlet, the riders, meeting heaps of awesome and creative people and being a part of the NZ music scene.
What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
Elston Gun are pretty fucking good.. am also really looking forward to The Naked and Famous' and The Earlybirds' albums to come out.
What is in your CD collection at home?
Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, Temple of the Dog, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Blind Melon, Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, The Mars Volta and A Perfect Circle.
What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?
Our guitarist Paul hit the rider a little bit too hard at our EP Release show, he got up on stage early and tried to kick a balloon but instead lost his balance and nearly faceplanted onto the drum kit. It was hilarious.
What is your favourite place in NZ to be?
At home in Auckland - fucking awesome place!
What inspired you to become a start Mile High?
Loved music and thought we could give it a real go.
How did you come up with the name Mile High?
When we were trying to come up with a name, we went out drinking and one of us asked what happened when someone flushed a toilet on an aeroplane.
What is the best gig you have ever performed at, and why?
Big Day Out - because it was BDO, also a charity fundraiser we played @ The Kings Arms to a packed and receptive room.
How do you keep in contact with your fans?
What rumour would you like to start about Mile High?
One of the members of Mile High is distantly related to Prince. But we can't say who.
Mile High is Aditya Maharaj (vocals), Kevin Nolan (guitar), Paul Nolan (guitar), Chris Chamberlain (bass) and Quinton McMillan (drums).
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Mile High released their debut EP '#957' this year and you can read the review here.
The Rocket Jocks are a two piece from Gisborne. Lucas Mucus plays guitar and Res Rapid plays bass; they share singing duties. They also have a drum machine, imaginitively called Drummy, who completes the band.
They’ll be playing in Auckland at Whammy Bar, St. Kevin’s Arcade on K’ Road, on Saturday, August 21. Res had a quick chat with muzic.net.nz:
How do you describe The Rocket Jocks music?
We really like The Ramones and Dungeons and Dragons.
What can we expect to see from The Rocket Jocks over the next year?
We've just released a new EP on Puppykiller Records called 'Return To Planet X!', so we'll be trying to play shows around NZ to push that a bit. We're also working on a completely new set of songs, so hopefully we'll have a new live show at some stage, too. I have no idea if we'll do a new recording; we'll need to suss out the cost. We are, of course, completely broke. :)
What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?
That would probably be one time playing a show in Gisborne early 2008 supporting Suicide Dogs. I went for a big Ramonesy "power stance" onstage and, because I'm somewhat rotund, I instantly split my trousers. Just couldn't contain the power.
What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
Are Mobile Stud Unit still around? They were awesome, probably one of the funniest bands I've ever seen. Them and The Get-Fucked Ups, I really enjoyed those guys as well although they split up years ago. I've heard alot about The Mysterious Tapeman from Whangarei although I've never had the chance to see him. He sounds... very mysterious!
What is in your CD collection at home?
We both like The Ramones, The Lillingtons, The Queers, The Huntingtons, and The Riverdales. Also, alot of old 50's rock n roll; because we're both Maori I'm figuring we're probably somewhat genetically predisposed towards that? Hei aha! :) Lucas pretty much has every Dead Milkmen album ever released as well, I think.
Who are your favourite NZ musicians/bands, and why?
Our friend J. Furious, formerly of Suicide Dogs and Graveyard Rumble and now with Shitripper, is probably our favourite NZ musician. He’s very motivated and he has written some great songs.
What is the best gig you have ever performed at, and why?
We played at Rising Sun in Auckland one time. Hardly anyone turned up for that one but we played the best show we've ever done. I have no idea why; the three suns were aligned for The Great Conjunction or something? Even though we lost money that night we weren't too bothered, really; we were pleased because we felt we played well, and that kinda outweighed the whole not getting paid thing. Loved it.
You can find out more about The Rocket Jocks, and listen to some songs if you would like, on MySpace and Facebook.
The Rocket Jocks are Res Rapid (bass, vocals), Fidget (guitar, vocals) and Drummy (drums).
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The Rocket Jocks released their debut EP 'Return To Planet X!' this year and you can read the review here.
G-TARanaki International Music Week will host Slash’s only performances in NZ, and will provide a Friday night line-up of legends unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, or will ever see again. All performances by overseas artists at G-TARanaki will be
The Friday night six-hour concert will culminate in an all-star jam led by ex-Scorpions guitarist Uli Jon Roth and featuring such legends as Leslie West of Mountain, Vinnie Moore from UFO and former Michael Jackson guitarist Jennifer Batten, plus US teen guitar prodigy Desiree Bassett, who hasperformed alongside Jimmie Vaughan, played in Sammy Hagar’s band and closed the Woodstock 40th anniversary festival in 2009 with her rendition of Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze”.
Despite the name, G-TARanaki is not just about guitars and the artists will be bringing full backing bands of top-flight musicians for their concerts. For example, Slash will be joined by
The two six-hour concerts at the TSB Stadium, three intimate Midnight Sessions at Puke Ariki and the Bell Street Blues Club Night will present a smorgasbord of eclectic musical styles, ranging from the hard rock of Slash and Vinnie Moore and heavy metal from Hail! and In Dread Response, to the Oli Brown Band’s blues, Jennifer Batten’s multi-media show and the classical influences of the California Guitar Trio.
Visit www.ticketmaster.co.nz or click the link at www.gtaranaki.co.nz to purchase tickets.
· Tickets can be purchased through the Ticketmaster website www.ticketmaster.co.nz, call centre and box offices.
· Seats cannot be selected through the website – you will be allocated the best seat available.
· In order to select a specific seat, you will need to book through the call centre or box offices only.
· Limited 2-day General Admission tickets to the Friday and Saturday night TSB Stadium concerts will be available.
· Call centre number is 09 970 9700; open Monday – Friday from 9.00am – 9.00pm, Saturday and Sunday from 9.00am – 5.00pm.
Concerts at TSB Stadium
FRIDAY 13 AUGUST, 5:30pm – 11:30pm
· The Checks
· Desiree Bassett
· Oli Brown Band
·
· Uli Jon Roth All-Star Jam – with Leslie West, Vinnie Moore, Desiree Bassett and Jennifer Batten
SATURDAY 14 AUGUST, 5:00pm – 11:30pm
· Shotgun Alley
· In Dread Response
· Vinnie Moore
· Jennifer Batten
· Hail!
· Slash
Midnight Sessions at Puke Ariki
THURSDAY 12 AUGUST, 11:00pm – 2:00am
· The Thomas Oliver Band
· Guy Pratt
·
· Oli Brown Band
· Desiree Bassett
FRIDAY 13 AUGUST, 11:00pm – 2:00am
· Kara Gordon Trio
· Leslie West
· Desiree Bassett
· Guy Pratt
· Vinnie Moore
· Tony Levin
SATURDAY 14 AUGUST, 11:00pm – 2:00am
· Brian Hatcher Band
· Jennifer Batten
· Uli Jon Roth
· Hail!
· Slash
Blues Club Night at Puke Ariki
THURSDAY 12 AUGUST, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
· Blue Monkey Racket
· The Thomas Oliver Band
· Oli Brown Band
G-TARanaki Full Line-up Details
Visit www.gtaranaki.co.nz for full information about G-TARanaki and sign up to receive the latest information via e-newsletters.
Muzic.net.nz interviewed NZ acts performing at G-TARanaki. Read their interviews here:
Shotgun Alley
In Dread Response
The Checks
The Thomas Oliver Band
APRA (the Australasian Performing Right Association) is proud to announce the finalists for the 2010 APRA Silver Scroll Award; New Zealand’s most prestigious award recognising outstanding creative excellence in songwriting and composition.
From a list of 20 songs released earlier this month, the songwriters and composers of New Zealand – the 7,500+ APRA Members – have chosen their songwriting champions for 2010.
- A New Dialogue by Julia Deans
- Autumn by Matthew Hope, Jonathan Pearce, Reuben Stephens & Alexander Freer (Artisan Guns)
- Running Through The Fire (Storm) by Anika Moa
- Say Goodbye by Ruban Nielson & Kody Nielson (The Mint Chicks)
- Young Blood by Aaron Short, Alisa Xayalith & Thom Powers (The Naked And Famous)
Anthony Healey, Director of NZ Operations for APRA, says “The world changes rapidly but the one thing that is constant is a great song. It all starts with the song. Lyrics and melodies that stay etched in your mind. These five songs are wonderful examples of this.”
Not only are the finalists chosen by their peers, their works will be performed by their peers. Under the tutelage of Music Director Karl Steven (Supergroove, The Drab Doo Riffs), unique renditions of each of the above songs will be performed at the invite only APRA Silver Scroll Awards on Wednesday 8 September at the Auckland Town Hall.
Full Article
APRA Children’s Song of the Year announced
A new prize judged by some of New Zealand’s top music critics is set to honour up-and-coming Kiwi musicians and provide some tangible support to help nurture promising talent.
Developed to form part of the annual Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards celebrations, the Critics’ Choice Prize recognises an artist that a panel of 13 critics believe is on track to become a Kiwi music success story.
The Critics’ Choice prize will also provide tangible support for the winner. The winning artist receives recording time at York Street Studios, $5,000 worth of equipment from NZ Rockshop and mentoring from Dave McLaughlin from McLaughlin Law, Lydia Parsons from Entertainment Accounting, touring guru Brent Eccles and various members of the Music Managers Forum.
The Prize will be presented by Gravity Coffee. Chris Brown, Gravity marketing manager, says: “We are really proud to be supporting and presenting the Critics’ Choice Prize. There are so many amazingly talented musicians out there working hard, doing their thing, and it’s great that we can acknowledge these artists through this Prize and Showcase.”
Full Article
Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards hits the road
The finalists have been announced for the 2010 SOUNZ Contemporary Award. The three works, chosen from the 44 submitted for the annual composition award, were selected by a jury of four musicians on creative and artistic criteria including compositional excellence and inspiration. They are: 'Inner Bellow' for solo clarinet and electronic sounds by Chris Cree Brown; 'Rudiments' for orchestra by Chris Gendall; and 'Violin Concerto No. 1' by Ross Harris.
After the success of having 'Let The Sunlight In' play on stations like ZM, The Rock and Classic Hits, Ammp have self funded their latest video for 'Let The Sunlight In'.
Directed by Alan Morrison and shot in a Warehouse somewhere in Wellington, Ammp release another video building the anticipation for the debut album due later in the year.
http://www..youtube.com/watch?v=Y_v7iR5hn2M
Other NZ Music News
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The following musicians were added to the muzic.net.nz website recently. Check them out:
These Automatic Changers | Left Hand Break |
The Thomas Oliver Band | Majera |
Run Ruby Run |
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Latest Reviews:
- The Rocket Jocks - 'Return To Planet X' EP Review
- Julia Deans - 'Modern Fables' Album Review
- Mama Tilly - 'Silhouettes and Footsteps' EP Review
You can check out every single interview and review in our new Articles Page.
Every feature we have ever had on the site can be viewed here.
The next muzic.net.nz newsletter is going out on 15 August
and will feature El Schlong and These Automatic Changers!
We also have a massive line-up planned for our 29 August newsletter!
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