Interview with Emily from Street Chant (formerly Mean Street) whose eagerly awaited debut album is out in October.
Been around since?
Been gigging since early 2007 but Billie and I jammed a bit before that.
Current line up?
Emily - Guitar, Vocals
Billie - Bass, Vocals
Alex - Drums, Drums
Where are you based?
Auckland but we're moving to Melbourne once we release our album here.
Musical history?
Billie likes 60's and 70's music and country, Alex is into quite experimental and sometimes ambient stuff, I've always been into pop music but I like it better if its done in and loud and interesting way. We all like punk music and alternative music from the 80's and 90's. Alex used to be in DHDFD's, and I have just left Wilberforces due to going to Melbourne. Billie does country jams with people.
How would you describe your sound?
Heavy guitar pop.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Our friends have been putting out some great stuff at the moment, Wilberforces - Haunted, Sharpie Crows - Greed (and we fought the great white whale), Damsels EP, Rifles - Sketches, Surf City's EP and their album demos, as well as the new Sonic Youth, Neutral Milk Hotel, Pixies, 3Ds, Silver Apples, Taylor Swift, Wipers, Replacements, Moppy, Love, Yokel Ono, James Chance and the Contortions, Pumice, Boredoms, Tool, and (by choice or not, Micheal Jackson).
What were you listing to in High School?
I was listening to Nirvana, Dinosaur Jr, Jawbreaker, lots of Flying Nun, Ramones etc Bfm did a complilation in the 90's called the trip, I was really into that. Billies always been into country and 60's and 70's rock and roll bands as well as Prince, Snoop Dog and local bands like The Whipping Cats. I think Alex was into Sonic Youth, Deerhoof, and experimental bands I can't think of right now (sorry alez) and punk music. None of us have really changed what we listen to that much at all.
What is your writing/recording process?
Normally I come up with the main part and then we jam it out, but sometimes we just jam. As for recording we do everything live.
Your Dream Collaboration?
Moppy and Micheal Jackson
Your debut album is in the making – tell us about it?
We're recording it at the moment with Bob Frizbee in New Lynn. It doesn't have a name yet, nor any dramas. Although getting it completed on time will be a drama in itself. Bob 4 Prime Minister.
When are you expecting to release it and through whom?
At the moment its looking like we're gonna release it early September not sure through who though.
If you could have any original vinyl release in the world what would it be?
Wilberforces - Tidal Waves 7", Nirvana - Teryaki Asthma - 7" or Love Buzz 7", Billie would probably want a Gram Parsons one, and Alex maybe Birchville Cat Motel, Boris, or Thurston Moores solo noise stuff.
Of all the instruments you own, or have owned, what is your favourite?
I really like my Jaguar but my Squire Jagmaster was really special, it had humbuckers which sounded really cool and I had personalised the pickguard. It was really easy to used, and the intonation stayed perfect no matter how many times i threw it around, it was also cheap so it was fun to play, nothing to be precious about. Unfortunatly it didn't survive a gig when I got frustrated and dropped it on its ass.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learnt musically in the last year?
Thom taught me a cool tuning, Bob taught me the importance to tempo (haha). I've also learnt to just go with your gut and not over think things.
What has been your favourite show to date?
Our first show with Alex at Ellen Melville, it was all ages with So So Modern and the audience really got into it. Lots of energy. Playing out of Auckland is really fun too.
If you could share the stage with anyone (band or person) who would it be?
Anyone from our favourite bands that we mentioned above.
The future holds…?
We want to tour and release as much as possible. And release our album on vinyl.
The state of music in NZ is….
Good if you find and listen to the right stuff (see bands we named above). Not much that interests me is happening right now, even a lof of the so called "alternative" music is just pre digested crap. But more and more good bands seem to be popping up, something seems to be brewing under the surface…
