We catch up with Matt Middleton of The Aesthetics.
---Been around since?
The Aesthetics have been rocking since 1995 – of course, we’ve had many line up changes!
Current line up?
Malcolm Deans plays drums, Jason Barrett plays Bass, and I, the only original member plays Gat, keys and SINGS.
Where are you based?
We’re one of those pesky Dunedin based bands. We work down at the bonus bonds factory, we look after the ELSIE computer.
Musical history?
Oh, we were totally inspired by the great Dunedin bands of the 90s – King Loser, Snapper , the 3ds, the Dead C ,,,,,we’ve all been in diff bands – our basist was in The Fraudulents, Malc was in the Nudie Suits in Auckland, I was in Space Dust...
How would you describe your sound?
Trashy but sinister straight ahead post-punk noise rock.
Tell us about Crude…
Whelp, i am Matty middleton and Crude is my solo project. I am the Aesthetics frontman, but im also the Crude guy.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Im listening to this awesome 80s band called ‘Master/Slave relationship’ ....great underground industrial synth stuff......badly mistreated female vox ....
What were you listing to in High School?
Um....Napalm Death, Carcass, Slayer....
What is your writing/recording process?
Well, ideas are usually very spontaneous. I’ll jot down an idea, a tune, and try my best to hack it up, to treat it with effects, songs are mutilated.
Your Dream Collaboration?
Hmmmmmmm.....Jac Berrocal, Thurston Moore , Nick Cave, Yoko Ono,
You’ve recently released an album – tell us about it?
Its called ‘Ugly Ambition’ and its a vinly only release. Its a beautiful album that will probably be worth more once its ,,,out of stock. Ugly was our latest studio album and im proud to say we managed to SELF-RELEASE it on VINYL.
Of all the instruments you own, or have owned, what is your favourite?
My roland juno 60 synthesiser. Its a treasure. A treasure beyond words. The ballziest synth known to man. I mean WOMAN.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learnt musically in the last year?
I learnt that I cant achieve a fast edith piaf type vibrato....um i dunnow...that dark ambient music is the greatest THING OUT????
What has been your favourite show to date?
The Aesthetics and the Cigarettes May 2009. At the wine cellar. Biblically profound,
If you could share the stage with anyone (band or person) who would it be?
GG Allin
When are you playing next?
Chicks hotel Pt Chalmers, but wanna try AUSTRALIA SOON
The future holds…?
ZEN BUDDHISM
The state of music in NZ is….
OH, ITS EXCITING, VARIED AND NOT FUNDED NEARLY ENOUGH AS IT SHOULD BE!!!
