Static Era Newsletter Interview

Static Era is an Auckland-based rock band that formed in late 2010 and features a stellar lineup of musicians from incredible backgrounds, including Tadpole, Redline, Stylus and 29 Blackbirds.

Static Era has performed at Music in Parks 2013 as well as an SPCA fundraiser to benefit abadoned animals and toured with I Am Giant and Sinclarity (USA). Their EP The Start was released in 2012, and their newest single, Fire Away, from their forthcoming EP is out now.

Thanks to Emma for answering the following questions for muzic.net.nz:

Which one of your songs are you most proud of, and why?

On a commercial scale, I’m really proud of So Sore and Fire Away, because they have done really well! But on a personal level, I really like Addicted which features on our next EP Dare to Fail. I wrote it after just finishing reading Slash’s autobiography – which, funnily enough, talks a lot about addiction. I used that concept, added a bit of creative license, and ended up with this “fuck you” song about an abusive – yet addictive – relationship. Haha.

What is one thing you want NZ to know about Static Era?

We’re a band truly about rock n roll. About believing in yourself. About standing up and fighting back. About being a nice person, sure, but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise who you are.

Where is your favourite place to relax in NZ?

When I was growing up (in Raglan), my FAVOURITE place in the world was in the branches of this old, mortonbay fig tree which was half on land, half in the sea. It was my place of absolute zen. I was really gutted to learn that the council cut it down a few years ago. So now, my place of solace is anywhere in nature. I know, how kiwi-pseudo-hippy, right? But seriously, whether it’s tramping in the bush, or making sandcastles at the beach with no shoes on, THAT’S my place for relaxation. But camping? No thanks! I like proper beds and hot showers!!

Do you have any plans for future collaborations with other musicians? Who would they be?

I don’t know about the rest of the guys in the band, but I’m always keen for collaboration! I recently teamed up with a couple of American DJ’s OMG and Shockwave and did a dubstep song. Totally bizaare genre to experiment with, but heaps of fun! My dream collaborations though? I’d love to do a collab with the likes of Devilskin or These Four Walls – but on an international level? Amanda Palmer, Lacuna Coil, Evanescence, Faith No More, Halestorm…. Ok, I’m just naming my favourite bands haha, but that would be epic. Immediate plans however, not yet.

What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?

Thankfully, I’ve not had many! Though my most embarrassing was when my boyfriend at the time showed up halfway through our set, completely drunk off his face, and decided it would be a good idea to drop his trousers in the middle of the bar we were playing at. I was mortified. Suffice to say, we are no longer together.

What has been your most memorable show to date?

Music in Parks with Villainy and Rival State. It was a free gig in Albany and I was exhausted and hungover. Except the thing I always forget is my exhausted is pretty much everyone else’s normal. I’m like that squirrel from Over the Hedge. Anyway, The Rock Roadies were there and giving out cans of V, and I decided to down one half an hour before we hit the stage. I don’t think I’ve ever jumped or danced on stage more in my life. I was almost doing push ups during the instrumentals, I was so amped! Moral of the story: don’t give me caffeine.

How would you describe Static Era’s music in one sentence?

Kick ass, in-your-face, no-bullshit rock.

Where do you get your inspiration to create music from?

Musically, my band inspire me. Honestly, the riffs that Chris comes up with? He’s epic! And the rhythm pairing of Victor and Dave is rad – they feed off each other well. They all have their own influences though; Dave is a huge fan of 80s rock and glam metal, Chris: Metallica/Pantera, and Victor: loads of obscure metal bands that I’ve never heard of hahaha. But vocally, my inspiration comes from the likes of Halestorm and Lacuna Coil. Lyrically, we’re inspired by… life, I guess. I used to write a lot of songs about relationships and blah blah, but there is soooo much more to life – and us as a band! The last thing I want to be is ANOTHER female fronted band being all pretty and innocent. That’s not me!

What inspired you to start Static Era?

When I first moved to Auckland, I was doing a solo thing, hence why we were called the Emma G Band when we first started. And while I love being solo and acoustic with my guitar and pretty songs about love and heartbreak, it dawned on me that I’m not a pretty little girl – I’m bolshy, opinionated and loud!! So it made sense to have a loud, opinionated rock band to back me up!

Tell us about Static Era’s next release.

We’re hitting the road in October to tour our new EP Dare to Fail and we’re SO excited!!! We’ll be playing Auckland and Tauranga with These Four Walls (who are, incidentally, touring as well), Hamilton with Checaine and Arkanine, Wellington and Palmerston North with All Dead Superstars and New Plymouth with Dirty Kings. Chris, Dave and I have all toured before – in our own, seperate ways, but it’ll be our first tour together as a band, so we’re really excited – especially to be bringing our EP to everyone! Why is it called Dare to Fail? We’ve all got different interpretations of the title, but my personal one is based on a Krav Maga motto: “Stare failure in the eyes, and then kick it’s balls!”