Interview with Matthew Hope from the Artisan Guns.
Been around since?
We formed in late 2006
Current line up?
Alexander Freer, Jonathan Pearce, Reuben Stephens, and myself – Matthew Hope
Where are you based?
East Auckland
Musical history?
I’d never been in any other bands, nor had I written much before starting this band. Alex and Reuben had been in other bands in high school but they had all ended quite a while before we formed.
Alex, Jonathan and I all study Music at Auckland University. They study Jazz and I study Popular Music. So because we’re constantly being challenged in music we’re able to really experiment with sound. Reuben is a Fine Art student, and does all the art for the band.
From the beginning we’ve always been influenced by old timey country music, but we’re influenced by so much it’s impossible to list everything, but I’m a sucker for 90’s pop hits, and I really love good 80’s stadium rock.
How would you describe your sound?
It’s pop music really. There’s country in our roots and people have called us folk, but over all its pretty much pop music, as broad a term that is.
What are you listening to at the moment?
The Sundays, Mos Def, The Smiths, Great North.
What were you listing to in High School?
The Mint Chicks, The Strokes, Ryan Adams – that kinda stuff.
What is your writing/recording process?
I write the lyrics and my own guitar parts, then the boys write their parts over the top, and we kind cut and paste accordingly.
We like to record everything live, and in one take. It’s a more difficult process, but worth it.
Your Dream Collaboration?
Journey/The Roots/and the singer from Reef
We heard earlier in the year that you had been signed to EMI - how did that come about?
They approached us in 2006, and we played to them in their board room. We were too young a band and we needed space to grow, so they lay low for a couple years or so. Then recently they came to us and offered us a deal, and it’s been all go ever since. It’s been great working with them.
You’ve just release an EP, tell us about it?
Other than having to do million takes due to small mistakes, there were no real dramas. We recorded with Dave Parker (Little Monster Studio) and we recorded it at his house, in his bed room and bathroom.
If this your first release? If yes, how have you enjoyed the experience of releasing a piece work onto the world – have the media been nice etc etc?
It’s our very first release, and we’re all really proud of how it turned out. We really enjoyed every part of the process and getting it out there, and people have received it really well. We haven’t had any bad reviews, which is really nice.
What do you enjoy most about music?
That unlike any other art form, the audience can feel it.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learnt musically in the last year?
Less is more
What’s the best concert you have ever been to?
I’m not sure. Probably either Joanna Newsom, with her intimate solo performance, or Coldplay cause they’re just so freakin’ amazing.
Best or most memorable gig you have played?
EP Release, it was a lot of fun.
If you could share the stage with anyone (band or person) who would it be?
The Goo Goo Dolls
Most underrated band at the moment?
Glass Owls. They’re local and I’ve been to a few of their shows recently. They’re amazing.
The future holds…?
We’re set to record another EP very soon, then we’ll eventually head toward a full length album. We’re going to be releasing everything nice a snappy without too much of a wait.
The state of music in NZ is….
I think New Zealand music is going great at the moment. We have so many original bands now, of international quality, things can only get better from here I think. We’re really happy to be part of it all.
