Mountaineater Newsletter Interview

What can we expect from Mountaineater over the next year?

Mountaineater will be recording an EP with Dale Cotton before summer and working on an album over summer leading up to gigs early next year with Jakob and Cairo Knife Fight; An Emerald City and, we hope BDO (last
year had an element of debacle and I’m not refering to our performance!)
A more comprehensive tour is also in the works.

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

If you are prone to being disorganised and procrastination enlist someone who is not (cheers Deano!). Something about a lot of musicians in that regard. Laying yourself bare and projecting your ego is far easier in a studio or on a stage than in the marketplace.

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

Heinous question. do you know how old I am? Going to pluck five in a then and now context.
Then: It’s 1987 watching TV I see the Straitjacket Fits perform Dialling A Prayer and She Speeds (I know you called it an albatross Mr Carter but, it’s still an amazing song). This was the music I was waiting to hit me. Sky scraping. No internet kids it just had to come your way. Changed my life. The music from this town was the reason I moved to Dunedin.
Bailterspace: Power trio, weird tunings, being pummeled and caressed simultaneously, Nick Roughan on the live sound desk.

Now: these first two are polar opposites sound wise perhaps but, two of the best bands in the country and therfore world. Our isolation is the source of our strength y’all Jakob because I love them like brothers and they nail it every time. Die! Die! Die!: awesome work ethic and Mikey Prain!

And twixt the two spectrum wise: Little Bushman, consummate.

What will your next release be?

An EP recorded by Dale Cotton is in the works, An album soon after.

How do you come up with your lyrics?

Scrabble.

Who would you most like to support live?

On behalf of Chris Livingston (drums) and Anaru Ngata (bass and guitar) at least, I’ll say that may have already happened with the Melvins support (I’m a Melvins newbie but, they own everthing they’ve done. One of the best gigs I’ve seen by the way). For me: My Bloody Valentine.

What is your favourite NZ venue?

Poverty Bay Club, Gisborne.

How do you describe Mountaineater’s music?

Like trying to push Rangi and Papa apart with bass, drums, guitar and voice ie: Te Kaos.

What can you never leave home without?

The love of and for my wife and kids.

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

See above of course but also:

Cairo Knife Fight and A Hori Buzz: Aaron ‘drix Tokona. The Nudge: passion, joy, the MoonBonham on drums and one of the best song closes I’ve heard in ages. A nitrous rush without nitrous,

What rumour would you like to start about Mountaineater?

Each gig is a front for a treasure hunt. Seek high rockers.