Stretch Newsletter Interview

Alt-country singer/songwriter Stretch has an intensity in his performance that burns up on any given night, throwing down songs with a battle scarred guitar. It’s a heavy folk/kiwi alt-country landscape that hints at Neil Young and Neil Finn hauling up for an almighty after-hours session, and he answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:

How did you become involved in music?

It was inevitable. I was babysat by the stereo and a pair of headphones and held spellbound by my families record collection.

If you could perform with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?

Jeff Tweedy. Because I named my cat after him. 

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

Less Rock More Roll. Because that’s the single I’m promoting. 

How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t heard it before?

Springsteen imitating Elvis after a few too many. With Moe Tucker on drums.

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

You’ll see a video featuring a female motorbike gang. That’s a focus right now. I also want to draw a really good logo for my record label – Boxcat Records. 

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

Looking forward to The Bads new album. And anything mostly out of Ben Edwards studio’s. Which leads to your next question…

What local albums have you been enjoying recently?

Preservation. Heard that in a friend’s lounge recently and the production/sound on that is gorgeous. 

What is your favourite NZ venue, and why?

Common Room – Hastings. It’s run by beautiful welcoming people, they made the bar themselves, the room sounds great to play in and it has a fire pit (outside).

Have you got any tips for dealing with nerves before a gig?

You aren’t a brain surgeon, no one’s going to actually die if you play a C instead of a D. 

How do you balance your music with other obligations; family, job etc?

I don’t, it’s a mad chaos of extremes that I’m forever on the receiving end of.

Where do you get your inspiration to create music from?

From a need to communicate. If it wasn’t music I’d communicate it all via some other medium. Painting, dancing, war correspondent…

Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?

You’re already a musician, not ‘aspiring’ to be one, so get musicianing.