Depths Newsletter Interview

Thanks to Josh for answering these questions:

What can we expect to see from Depths over the next year?

We are currently working hard writing for our first album, which should be out out mid year, so expect some tours around that. Also we will be heading over to Australia to tour for the first time.

What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?

Just to get out there and play as much as you can. We spent so much time last year driving up and down the country to play shows. It really took it out of us but the exposure we got from doing that was incredible.

Who are your favourite NZ musicians/bands, and why?

There are so many amazing musicians in this country and a lot of them go unnoticed. Bands like Zerstiren, In Dread Response and Blindfolded and Led to the Woods are doing a lot for NZ metal. One of our favourite, yet underrated NZ bands would be Of Blackest Oceans from Wellington. They have amazing musicianship and a killer sound, really don’t know why more people haven’t heard of these guys.

What will Depths next release be?

We will be releasing a single called ‘Illumination’ in the next coming months, which will also be a track off our full length.

How do you come up with your lyrics?

Previously on our EP ‘Resurgence’ it was more of a personal approach, it was just a matter of writing lyrics and music separately, then bringing it all together. With the full length we are doing a concept album, so we spent a lot more time on lyrics than previous material. Linking the lyrical themes with the moods of the music.

Who would you most like to support live?

For all of us that would probably be a different answer as we all have our opinions, but one that we would all agree on would probably be opening for Meshuggah. They influence us a lot and it would be an honor to support them on the stage.

How do you believe Depths fit into the NZ music industry?

NZ music is very tough, being a death metal band in the music industry is even harder. You can’t expect any support when it comes to things like NZ ON AIR, because they tend to go for radio friendly music. So it was really up to us to do everything ourselves up until we were approached by Deadboy Records at the end of last year. When it comes to how we fit in with the NZ metal scene I think we just got lucky with bringing out a heavier sound at a time when it wasn’t so popular.

What can you never leave home without?

Keys. Never leave home without your keys, or you can’t get back in.

How do you describe Depths music?

Heavy.

What is your favourite NZ venue?

There are a whole heap of awesome venues scattered over the country, but the venues would be nothing without the people who fill them. So I guess it comes down to the turn out rather than the venue itself but some of our favourites so far would have to be The Basement in Auckland, ReFuel Bar in Dunedin and The Media Club in Christchurch.

What is the best part of being a musician?

Being able to create something out of nothing would be the coolest thing for me. Then being able to perform that in front of an audience is really awesome.

What is in your CD collection at home?

Once again everyone in the band would be different, but I have everything from Johnny Cash to The Acacia Strain, and pretty much everything in between. I like to keep my music taste varied and interesting.

What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?

We played a show in Blenheim in 2010 that was pretty funny. Not so much embarrassing as it was funny.

What is your favourite place in NZ to be?

Traveling around in the South Island really showed us how beautiful our country is. In terms of playing shows Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch would have to be favourites of ours. Always a fun vibe and a great turn out.

What inspired you to start Depths?

We had all been in bands previously, and met each other through that. It started as just a side project for a few of us, but then we got a solid line up and things started to take form and we realized we were onto something good.

How did you come up with the name Depths?

Many bands have long thought out reasons for their band name, we do not. Depths just happened to be what we all settled on.

What is the best gig you have ever performed at, and why?

There have been a few memorable shows. Our EP release show at Medusa in Wellington would have to be one. The venue packed out on a Wednesday night and was probably when we saw people taking notice in us. The Saving Grace album release show at The Basement in Auckland last year was another awesome show.

How do you keep in contact with your fans?

Networking sites like Facebook and MySpace make contact with fans really easy. Keeping in contact with fans is really important to us, without them we would be playing to empty venues.

What rumour would you like to start about Depths?

We play acoustic guitars.