We catch up with Adam Page of Popstrangers, a new young band who have been creating quite a stir about the place.
Been around since?
First gig was April 2009, started playing together September 2008
Current line up?
Joel Flyger, Eliot Rawson, Adam Page
Where are you based?
Auckland
Musical history?
Joel and I (Adam) have both played in other bands in the past. Mainly around Hamilton, where we are both from and how we know each other. Elliot we meet once we both moved to Auckland, through friends.
How would you describe your sound?
It’s kind of hard to say, because I think that each new song we write seems pretty different from the next. But most of our songs have a bit of noise in them. They still have verses and choruses so I guess were a pop band really.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Been listening to Deerhunter a lot more after seeing them play last month. I had the best of Joy Division left in my car so that’s the first thing to pop to mind from the last week.
What were you listing to in High School?
Mainly stuff off skate videos.. Fugazi, Modest mouse and Johnny Thunders. In third form – Eminem and Dr dre. Each of our tastes in high school would be quite different.
What is your writing/recording process?
Normally Joel will have an Idea that he will be bring to practice. We play around with it for ages as a band and sometimes that original idea doesn’t even end up in the song. We don’t really write fast, but I think that’s a good thing cos it gives us more time to decide what’s working and what’s not.
In terms of recording, we’ve found live is definitely the way to go for us. Like we record vocals separately, but we try doing everything else live. It gives it a rawer feel that suits our sound.
Any releases coming up?
Yep, we’ve just recorded our EP, which should be getting pressed within the next week. The release party is @ Whammy bar on the 22nd of August!!
If you could have any original vinyl release in the world what would it be?
This guy I studied with brought an old Elvis record for 50 cents from the Salvation Army. He put it on trade me like 6 months later for a dollar reserve and got like 250 bucks for it or something. That would be a pretty sweet record to have! But yeah I don’t have a record player so my vinyl collection is very small.
Of all the instruments you own, or have owned, what is your favourite?
As a band I would say its probably a Roland 404 sampler. As individuals it would probably just be our guitars and drums. We have pretty dodgy gear but it does the trick.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learnt musically in the last year?
Need to buy a new amp!
What has been your favourite show to date?
We’ve probably all got different opinions on this, but I probably still think our first gig was my favourite. It was at Monte Cristo Room with Brain Slaves and The Naked and Famous. Everything seemed to be going wrong with our gear during sound check and we were really worried, but when we played everything was fine and clicked into place. The other bands were great too so it was just a fun night.
If you could share the stage with anyone (band or person) who would it be?
Stone Roses, Joy Division, Sonic Youth… But id be on the side of stage just watching!
The future holds…?
Well we have heaps of shows lined up so in the immediate future playing those and releasing the ep. In the not too distant future? Hopefully travel.
The state of music in NZ is….
Pretty good I think. Theres bands out there that are releasing great music. Damsels, 1995 and Dear Times Waste have all released great EPs this year and are all pushing unique sounds, which is awesome.
