20 Jun 2013
Siren Junkies - Sonic Newsletter Interview
30 May 2005 // An interview by Shade
1) Which NZ artist/band do you think will be a huge international success one day?
As far as bands go I have no idea. I think the Gods of music have all the band names on a dart board. When they're not busy influencing promotional, A&R and events organisers, they suck on the liquid amber and play darts. One lucky band bags it.
2) Who would you most like to tour with?
Well there's a great band, well a duo actually called 'two bucks chips' out in Papakura. They crank out the tunes with some nice flavours and i've heard they actually get people along to here them play! Truthfully, we'd play with anyone as long as they're on this planet.
3) What is your most embarrassing concert moment?
When our drummer turned up to a gig looking like a world war 2 kamikaze pilot. At first I thought he was a meandering Japanese tourist looking for his Teppenyaki fix for the night. He walked in with the biggest pair of chopsticks I'd ever seen! I was hurrying over to tell him that we didn't like punters eating sushi on the drums when I realised it was Tony, our drummer. I told him to stop drinking Sake before gigs.
4) What are you planning on doing during 2005?
Well mainly it's just playing hard and smart. We're up for anything really, as gigs go I mean. We're into having people at our gigs and having a good time and to show our appreciation, we like to give our punters a little bit of 'stick' on the night as a 'thank-you' for turning up. Sonic does have a pretty serious and vigorous management side - I mean, they have fun, but they're focused and work hard. They know what the goals are and they're kicking the balls hard. It's not as painful as it sounds.
5) How did you come up with the name Sonic?
Nikki [lead singer] and Amos [bass] were skulking around Tapu on the Thames Coast around 8.30pm looking for a fish and chip shop. We'd decided to split Auckland City for a few days and remind ourselves what it was like to breathe clean air again. It all get's a bit hazy after that. I think dreaming up band names is like trying to name a baby. You want to get it right and not look like a pillock for the rest of your life. We did figure that if too many mean people made fun of our band name, we could always change it by deed-poll.
6) What is in your CD collection at home?
I have a box for my cd's. Inside is some used chewing gum, a broken Britney Spears CD that I used for playing frisbee with my dog Phoebe, a bundle of letters from record companies that thanked us for all the nice shiny coasters we kept sending them and my favourite: Jamiroquai, Steely Dan and the best of Nana Muskuri.
7) What advice would you give other budding musicians/bands?
Stop listening to cliched advice about setting goals, keeping your head up and playing hard. I'm sick of it to be quite honest. I've checked this with all the members of Sonic and they said:
Drummer, Tony: What? Didn't hear you sorry, I had my earplugs in.
Guitarist, Gav: He was late too didn't hear the question.
Singer, Nikki: She's blonde....
Bass player, Amos: As I said, ignore the cliches. Forget what anyone else says about your music, don't take anything personally [even when it's meant that way] and put your heart and mind into reaching and grabbing whatever it is to make you feel like 'you've made it'.
1) Which NZ artist/band do you think will be a huge international success one day? As far as bands go I have no idea. I think the Gods of music have all the band names on a dart board. When they're not busy influencing promotional, A&R and events organisers, they suck on the liquid amber and play darts. One lucky band bags it.
2) Who would you most like to tour with?
Well there's a great band, well a duo actually called 'two bucks chips' out in Papakura. They crank out the tunes with some nice flavours and i've heard they actually get people along to here them play! Truthfully, we'd play with anyone as long as they're on this planet.
3) What is your most embarrassing concert moment?
When our drummer turned up to a gig looking like a world war 2 kamikaze pilot. At first I thought he was a meandering Japanese tourist looking for his Teppenyaki fix for the night. He walked in with the biggest pair of chopsticks I'd ever seen! I was hurrying over to tell him that we didn't like punters eating sushi on the drums when I realised it was Tony, our drummer. I told him to stop drinking Sake before gigs.
4) What are you planning on doing during 2005?
Well mainly it's just playing hard and smart. We're up for anything really, as gigs go I mean. We're into having people at our gigs and having a good time and to show our appreciation, we like to give our punters a little bit of 'stick' on the night as a 'thank-you' for turning up. Sonic does have a pretty serious and vigorous management side - I mean, they have fun, but they're focused and work hard. They know what the goals are and they're kicking the balls hard. It's not as painful as it sounds.
5) How did you come up with the name Sonic?
Nikki [lead singer] and Amos [bass] were skulking around Tapu on the Thames Coast around 8.30pm looking for a fish and chip shop. We'd decided to split Auckland City for a few days and remind ourselves what it was like to breathe clean air again. It all get's a bit hazy after that. I think dreaming up band names is like trying to name a baby. You want to get it right and not look like a pillock for the rest of your life. We did figure that if too many mean people made fun of our band name, we could always change it by deed-poll.
6) What is in your CD collection at home?
I have a box for my cd's. Inside is some used chewing gum, a broken Britney Spears CD that I used for playing frisbee with my dog Phoebe, a bundle of letters from record companies that thanked us for all the nice shiny coasters we kept sending them and my favourite: Jamiroquai, Steely Dan and the best of Nana Muskuri.
7) What advice would you give other budding musicians/bands?
Stop listening to cliched advice about setting goals, keeping your head up and playing hard. I'm sick of it to be quite honest. I've checked this with all the members of Sonic and they said:
Drummer, Tony: What? Didn't hear you sorry, I had my earplugs in.
Guitarist, Gav: He was late too didn't hear the question.
Singer, Nikki: She's blonde....
Bass player, Amos: As I said, ignore the cliches. Forget what anyone else says about your music, don't take anything personally [even when it's meant that way] and put your heart and mind into reaching and grabbing whatever it is to make you feel like 'you've made it'.
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About Siren Junkies
Their first recorded music video for their debut single 'Sensible' [Independent Film Company of New Zealand, with producer Ivan Slavov] is currently getting airplay on TV2, has appeared as a Coke Fresh From the Fridge single and has had airplay on C4 as well. The video was self-funded.
Their second video for the song 'The Gift' was released on the 25th of February 2005. This was made in conjunction with the South Seas Film & TV School.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Siren Junkies
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