Jayson Norris Newsletter Interview

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

Ok, well I’m currently on tour through out NZ on my Freedom Twenty Eight tour. It started on Feb 12 in Christchurch with The Black Seeds and finishes on March 5th at Homegrown!! I’m going to be very busy travelling back and forth from London and around Asia with some cool festivals, as well as writing for a brand new album that I hope to have ready for the studio towards the end of the year. I’ll be back for the summer festivals in NZ and I’ll have some new and exciting material and a kick ass live show.

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

Never give up on your dreams, always do what you love and be original while respecting others, their creativity and individuality.

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

I had the pleasure of performing with Aaron Tokona last year – the man is an inspiration. He owns the stage and plays the guitar like it is his last gig!!

What will your next release be?

We hope to release at least one more single off the new album (we have already released 4 singles) and then it will be into the studio for the next album!

How do you come up with your lyrics?

Lyrics are like stars, you can see them at night with a clear sky, but sometimes the clouds can come along and block them from view. However, the stars are still there, you might have to wait a little while for the clouds to move on so you can see them again…otherwise a good rhyming dictionary and a theme will do the trick.

Who would you most like to support live?

I would love to support Ben Harper and hopefully he would join me on a song!!!!

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

Tricky question…I guess if I didn’t eat for a few weeks I would fit into those jeans I can’t get in my size…if I was in a dub or reggae band I might fit into the music scene a lot easier, but I am who I am and my music is what it is.

What can you never leave home without?

The house keys!!

How do you describe your music?

It’s acoustic roots rock.

What is your favourite NZ venue?

To play or to listen? To play, Black Barn Winery and Auckland Town Hall… to listen, The Powerstation and Hawkes Bay Opera House.

What is the best part of being a musician?

Releasing emotions and expressing yourself, which may not be easily done in day-to-day life…plus the free beer!!

What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?

Refer to question 3… and myself because I need to pay nappies for my son

What is in your CD collection at home?

I am regularly buying albums and have a huge range across lots of different genres from Gregorian Chant to Kylie to Tool, Ben Harper and Cairo Knife Fight.

What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?

There’s a couple, but nothing that’s funny enough for your readers or that I can share!!

What is your favourite place in NZ to be?

Rangiputa, Karikari Peninsula in the Far North.