We put a few questions to Edward Castelow aka Dictaphone Blues who has just released his debut album and will be touring the country this May to celebrate.
----Been around since?
...2007AD
Current line up?
...Edward Castelow, Ben Eldridge, Rob Collins, Myles Allpress
Where are you based?
....We scatter between Balmoral, Parnell, Grey Lynn and New Lynn.
Musical history?
.....In the last few years the members of Dblues may also have been seen in Degrees.k, The Ruby Suns, Heavy Jones, Reduction Agents, The Brunettes, Broken Heart Breakers, Thee Conjurors, The Nudie Suits. We are influenced by anything great in the 50 years and classic players of that large period of time. We kinda just shifted into this line up after a series of others came and went.
You’ve played in a few of bands before - is there anything in particular you set out to achieve with Dictaphone Blues as a result of your past experiences?
....Family atmosphere is big in this band. Dinners and laughs are always on the menu. Just trying to keep a steady ship in a rough sea.
What are you listening to at the moment?
....A Camp - Colonia, The Insurgents - All the Stupid Smiling Faces, Lawrence Arabia - Chant Darling, always listening to the old classics.
What were you listing to in High School?
....Weezer, Green Day, Nirvana, Loud Lucy, Ruth Ruth, Zeppelin
What is your writing/recording process?
.....Most of the time it will start with a little whistle or hummed idea. Then if I remember it and it bugs me then I will try and put some chords to it. Then find the right door to the song. Play around with groove ideas and keeping it simple at that tentative stage. Try not to push anything to much. Usually record demo first. If it's going to be a decent tune, then that usually takes an afternoon of recording at home, if I have my chops up.
Your Dream Collaboration?
....George Martin producing Dictaphone Blues in Abbey Road Studio B of coarse.
You’ve finally released your debut album – tell us about it.
....Well I must make it clear that there wasn't much of a plan at all. I just started learning basic recording techniques about 3 years ago and applied them to my songs. I was my own lab rat it you will. I enoyed toying around with delays and reverbs,different keyboards that I borrowed, putting my finger on the heads of a 4 track recorder to slow down stuff and speed it up, vibing up the other players with silly dances during takes, smoking the odd reefer and singing my guts out.
If you could have any original vinyl release in the world what would it be?
Beatles - White Album (with the four mug shots) & Led Zeppelin - Three (with the turning thing on the front cover).
Of all the instruments you own, or have owned, what is your favourite?
...well right now I'm into my Shell Pink Telecaster. I have a 78 Tele Deluxe which I have hung up for the now, that is also quite special.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learnt musically in the last year?
.....Give it a hoon.
What has been your favourite show to date?
.....Mmmmm, I dunno. Maybe Chicks Hotel in Port Charmers or the Lawrence Arabia album launch in Auckland.
If you could share the stage with anyone (band or person) who would it be?
......The Boss, Bjork, Weezer, Biggie, 2pac and so on.
The future holds…?
.....An advanced lesson in everyday life.
The state of music in NZ is...
....Bloody healthy. There are so many people releasing albums and making music, it seems like a few folk decided that '09 was going to be thr year. Hopefully the general public takes advantage of such a positive turn in NZ music and enjoys it.
