20 Apr 2024
Departure Lounge - Departure Lounge Newsletter Interview
06 Dec 2009 // An interview by Shade
Thanks to Oakley for answering these questions:
What is the best gig you have ever performed at, and why?
Otautahi Allstars at the Park Cafe, Marahau. Every Summer I organise some shows around Golden Bay, it's just the best place to have a working holiday.
Making music on that tiny stage is always magic as the locals are enthusiastic and the band communication is easy on such a small stage.
What is your favourite NZ venue?
Whitecliffs, Canterbury where I grew up with festivals every summer. The stage is build on the front of an old church that had some fire damage so my parents said 'We'll have that'. It overlooks a paddock and when packed it looks spectacular (most recently in the I-Nation festivals i have been organising in the last few years - Tiki Live, Shapeshifter, Little Bushman, Departure Lounge, Ladi 6, OG Live).
What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
Electric Wire Hustle are making some international quality soul at the moment. Mara TK vocals are NZ's best kept secret.
I also can't for Mark Vanilau's solo album next year, it sounds amazing, truly epic and beautiful at the same time.
Funny, these guys both feature on the new Departure Lounge album, I'm such a fan.
What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?
Performing at my mates birthday party back in the day, and having a bit too much to drink, fell backwards and ended up beside the drummer but still managed to keep playing. I think we finished the song that way as I couldn't get back up and play at the same time. Getting down there is easy. . .
How did you come up with the name Departure Lounge?
My label co-owner Hayley came up with it and some of the song titles as it's not a strength of mine.
How do you describe your music?
Touches of soul, jazz and fusion all spring to mind, we kind of rock out a little on the new album as well as playing some real delicate music. Its really diverse and keeps me interested.
What can we expect to see from Departure Lounge over the next year?
Live shows and promotion of the new album 'In Session'.
Jan 2 Mussel Inn, Onekaka, SI.
Jan 3 Park Cafe, Marahau, SI.
Jan 9 Parihaka Peace Festival, New Plymouth, NI.
March 6 Mighty Mighty, Wellington as part of the Fringe festival, NI.
Hopefully we'll get some remixes of the new album. Poncho San Pedro has remixed 'Angryman' so that will be released to radio very soon.
What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
When on tour always have bananas and pack extra socks. a fresh pair can make you feel like a man again.
Thanks to Oakley for answering these questions:What is the best gig you have ever performed at, and why?
Otautahi Allstars at the Park Cafe, Marahau. Every Summer I organise some shows around Golden Bay, it's just the best place to have a working holiday.
Making music on that tiny stage is always magic as the locals are enthusiastic and the band communication is easy on such a small stage.
What is your favourite NZ venue?
Whitecliffs, Canterbury where I grew up with festivals every summer. The stage is build on the front of an old church that had some fire damage so my parents said 'We'll have that'. It overlooks a paddock and when packed it looks spectacular (most recently in the I-Nation festivals i have been organising in the last few years - Tiki Live, Shapeshifter, Little Bushman, Departure Lounge, Ladi 6, OG Live).
What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?
Electric Wire Hustle are making some international quality soul at the moment. Mara TK vocals are NZ's best kept secret.
I also can't for Mark Vanilau's solo album next year, it sounds amazing, truly epic and beautiful at the same time.
Funny, these guys both feature on the new Departure Lounge album, I'm such a fan.
What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?
Performing at my mates birthday party back in the day, and having a bit too much to drink, fell backwards and ended up beside the drummer but still managed to keep playing. I think we finished the song that way as I couldn't get back up and play at the same time. Getting down there is easy. . .
How did you come up with the name Departure Lounge?
My label co-owner Hayley came up with it and some of the song titles as it's not a strength of mine.
How do you describe your music?
Touches of soul, jazz and fusion all spring to mind, we kind of rock out a little on the new album as well as playing some real delicate music. Its really diverse and keeps me interested.
What can we expect to see from Departure Lounge over the next year?
Live shows and promotion of the new album 'In Session'.
Jan 2 Mussel Inn, Onekaka, SI.
Jan 3 Park Cafe, Marahau, SI.
Jan 9 Parihaka Peace Festival, New Plymouth, NI.
March 6 Mighty Mighty, Wellington as part of the Fringe festival, NI.
Hopefully we'll get some remixes of the new album. Poncho San Pedro has remixed 'Angryman' so that will be released to radio very soon.
What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
When on tour always have bananas and pack extra socks. a fresh pair can make you feel like a man again.
About Departure Lounge
Departure Lounge will release their second album 'In Session' on November 3, serving up ten crisp musical biscuits of psychedelic groove. 'In Session' captures Departure Lounge's solid reputation for soulful, mood-swinging melodies and a dynamic live performance that is a must-see for fans of progressive music.
It was, after all, a celebrated live performance that initiated the journey of Departure Lounge when Grenell collected some of Christchurch's best jazz musicians for the 2005 Christchurch International Jazz Festival - a performance that was so electrifying that the recording was released as their first album a year later, Departure Lounge - Live.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Departure Lounge
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