Been around since?
The beginning of 2005
Current line up?
There’s five of us; Albert Williams- vocals/guitar and keyboards, Chris Conaglen- guitar, Patrick Whatman- drums/piano/backing vocals, Tonya Cooper- guitar/synth, Troy Cooper- bass/backing vocals.
Where are you based?
Wellington
Musical history? What were you listening to back in high school?
When we formed the band in high school we have a mutual appreciation of Radiohead, Jeff Buckley and Coldplay but were also all really loving the Phoenix Foundation because Pegasus had just come out. Most of the band were also in to heavier, more punkier stuff like At the Drive-In , Refused and Minus the Bear in high school as well.
What are you currently listening to?
Lots of Wilco, Beirut, So So Modern, Albert (our singer) is especially listening to a lot of Iron & Wine. . .And then he usual suspects like Radiohead, Coldplay and Sigur Ros.- we all really love those bands.
The state of music in NZ is..?
Good and getting better all the time. There seems to be a lot more support out there compared to when we started the band and that was only three years ago.
What’s your favorite place to play?
Probably in the band room, which is a dark, small garage under Patrick’s house. It’s great when we are getting prepared for a gig, practicing all our old songs, really loud and annoying Pat’s neighbors on their Sunday afternoon. I should probably take this chance to apologize for that. . .
What was your favorite show?
Playing with Grayson Gilmour at Indigo (now the bath house) here in Wellington. I just remember that we had loads of new songs, a big crowd, the sound was good and everything was right!
What is your recording process?
We don’t really have one to be honest, we tend to do it in bits and pieces rather than one big go, so it’s quite a lengthy process. But that’s what has to done when your producer is recording you for free and you are trying to record an album as cheaply as possible.
What's been your best recording experience?
Workers Leaving the Factory, even though it’s taken us a long time, James Goldsmith, our producer, made it sound better than it should considering it was done with practically no budget.
The Future holds…?
Lots of shows (hopefully around the country) and an acoustic EP.
Album Release:
This is album no.?
2, but the other self titled one didn’t really count because it was a self recorded, self released EP that only our friends really own.
Where did you record it and who with?
We recorded the majority of Workers Leaving the Factory in our producer, James Goldsmith’s house. It was mastered at Trident Sound Studios here in Wellington. We recorded various other xylophone, vibraphone and piano parts at the Music School in Wellington with Grayson Gilmour helping us record and mix that and acting as a mentor for the whole process I guess.
What tours have you got planned to accompany the album?
This weekend (23rd) we are going up to Auckland to play a few shows. We really want to make that a regular thing, we’ve been up to Auckland once before and Auckland audiences are so cool so We’re really looking forward to it. We’d definitely be keen to do a national tour but we just have to wait and see what happens.
Any overseas excursions planned?
I wish!!
Anything else you’d like to let the people of UTR know?
If you need to ask any follow up questions or anything, just email the.actualities@gmail.com
