Coast
About Coast from Auckland
One usually wouldn’t expect to meet their band members through the act of grooming. But for Coast frontman, Jade Pritchard, it was his wizened facial hair expertise that first led him to his wife’s cousin, and now Coast drummer, Ben Trinick.
“Our first meeting was at Te Kaha at their family’s holiday home, which is right on the beach. It was Ben’s 16th birthday and he was having his first shave so I went into the bathroom to kick it with him and make sure he was sweet. We talked some rubbish, had a laugh and I told him he looked cool (which he did by the way).” – Jade Pritchard, Coast.
An uncommon and peculiar first meeting for band mates, but it made lasting impressions on them both. So much so, that a few years later when Jade needed a band behind him, it was Ben’s drumming talents that he called upon first. From there, the final addition to complete the band was a natural and quite frankly damn logical choice. Abe Pai, a good mate of Ben’s who seemed to be born with unwavering bass rhythms coursing through his veins.
Not long after forming, Coast took out top prize in the 2008 Eastern Bay Battle of the Bands judged by Kora, and then the Auckland Rock to the Top competition in 2009. With these early achievements, it’s not surprising that the young band’s potential came to the attention of Loop’s Mikee Tucker (TrinityRoots, The Black Seeds, Fly My Pretties), who quickly joined forces with them. Encouraged by their success, and driven forward by their ties to each other as both bros and bandmates, Coast moved from the East Coast to South Auckland and developed their deep and complex sound, captured here on their self-titled debut release.
“Before you say it I will - these guys aren’t another NZ act jumping on the so called Wellington sound/reggae wave. Coast create a unique sound that turns that wave into a Tsunami of good vibes! Look out is all I can say!” – Mikee Tucker, LOOP.
Like a well-crafted puzzle where each piece snugly fits, they intuitively blend a roll call of genres from dub to funk, rock psychedelia to reggae/roots creating a resonance, that is both familiar to the kiwi ear and captivating in its passion-infused delivery. With the band members’ strong bond being the glue that binds them, Coast have solidified their unity with the ultimate gesture the “bro shake”, visible on the album’s cover. Providing a metaphor for their interconnected friendship and mana it’s not difficult to see how the bro shake also symbolises their intricate soulful sound, and expresses their organic, laid back and rhythmic style.
“Most of my writing revolves around people and the different relationships we have with them: love and friendship. Especially love. I find the condition of the world, nature and environment also really inspiring because they are things that are important to people. I write and play from the heart, which is the only way to do anything like this. People can feel it then, and if they can feel it, then it will move them emotionally and physically.” Jade Pritchard, Coast.
It seems moving people physically is imperative, especially with Coast’s live performance. With the juggernaut that is Jade’s chugging guitar and vocals, jazz based drummer Ben’s hard hitting rhythms and Abe’s sprawling bass lines, a powerful and mesmerising show is always anticipated. It’s time to welcome Aotearoa’s new favourite band.
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