Newsletter Issue #12: 22 Aug 2004
Going For Gold
With the Evers-Swindell twins just winning Gold at Athens, I thought it was about time we wrote about whating 'Going Gold' means for New Zealand musicians.
The New Zealand Recording industry, like all of the other industries around the world, has a basic ranking system for rating the popularity of a particular record. There are not awards and no prize money (unless your recording company gives you a bonus), just recognition.
In New Zealand, there are two basic levels. Gold results from the sale of 7,500 albums. Platinum for 15,000. Then there are the multiples, like double or triple platinum.
Looking through the New Zealand albums currently in the Top 40 charts, we can see a few standouts. Goldenhorse are currently number one with their double-platinum album Riverhead. Brooke Fraser is on there with four-times platinum. Adeaze is on there at number 19, with a platinum.
One stand-out figure is Trinity Roots. Their album 'Home, Land and Sea' has just gone gold, and this is despite them being signed with an independent label and doing next to no advertising. Basically they promoted their album with a series of gigs, and it's paid off.
So the next time you hear someone talking about platinum, or double-platinum, you'll be able to say "Hey, 15,000 copies, cool".
- Adam
Deja Voodoo
The questions below have been answered by Matt Heath, Deja Voodoo's guitarist. Thanks Matt!
Who are your favourite New Zealand musicians/bands?
Note for Note and sound for sound The Bleeders are my favourite band in New Zealand at the moment. I also like 8 Foot Sativa. The Shallows, The D4. As well as The Brunettes and The Fanatics. Oh yeah The Have are great live. But when it come to a good night out going to see Deja Voodoo can’t be beat (especially if you are in the band.)
Who would you most like to support live?
We have been lucky to support the cream of New Zealand music over the years. I would love a reformed Split Enz to support us.
What is the strangest thing that has happened to you while playing on tour?
One time I was about to go on stage at the Kings Arms in Auckland. I had a rare case of stage nerves so I went to the car with a bottle of vodka. Next thing I remember I woke up the next day in a garage several miles away.. I dusted my self off and went home. For months the events of that night were a complete mystery. All I new was we played and got paid. Recently a photo surfaced of me standing on a bar, pants around my ankles a toilet seat round my head. I can only assume that it was the same night.
Another time we were playing in Napier and this guy came up after the show and showed me (and the whole bar) his testicle. It was as big as two grown mans fists.
Where do you see Deja Voodoo in 5 years?
I reckon we have about two years left. Five years from now our three albums will be classics and the royalty checks will buy me a new liver.
What advice would you give other budding musicians/bands?
Don’t make the mistake of waiting till you think you are good before you have your first gig. Get out there straight away. We were really shit for years now we rule. But some of the funniest gigs we ever had were before I could play. Also don’t listen to the nerds who wanna remove drinking, smoking, Drugs and Sex from rock n Roll. Those things are as important as the music.Fang
Fang have just released their album, 'Swim Up Stream', which we are giving away this month on our competition page.
1) Who are your favourite New Zealand musicians/bands?
Ghostplane, David Kilgour, Straightjacket Fits, Pine, The Phoenix Foundation, SJD, the Clean, Red Drum, the Subliminals, Jay Clarkson,
2) Who would you most like to support live?
Most of the bands listed above we have supported at one stage or another...perhaps the Clean of the ones we haven't played with before.
3) What is the strangest thing that has happened to you while playing on tour?
In a previous band I was in, called Superette, our manager got us lost driving between Auckland and Wellington. You would think it is pretty hard to get lost on that route, but he took a 'short cut' and we ended up in a thunderstorm somewhere near Kawhia stuck in the mud on a dirt track in the middle of the night.
4) Where do you see Fang in 5 years?
Fang would rather continue to consistently make good records and play quality shows, rather than becoming hugely successful quickly. If we have made a couple more good albums (each one better than the last one) and played some excellent shows then that would be great.
5) What advice would you give other budding musicians/bands?
Don't do what everyone else is doing. Have high musical standards and if you get a bit of success don't believe the hype.
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