Interview: Australia's Hockey Dad Talk Surfing And Touring

Surf-loving Australian rockers Hockey Dad are currently on the road touring New Zealand in support of their shiny new sophomore album Blend Inn alongside pals-in-sound Good Boy. Ahead of the band's shows this weekend in Tauranga and Raglan, roving reporter Fluffy tracked down the energetic duo for a quick Q & A session via email. Read singer and guitarist Zach Stephenson's words below and catch Hockey Dad while you can...

Tell us a little about Blend Inn. Was there an underlying theme behind this collection of tunes?

The biggest theme was pretty much a collection of songs that talk about our last few years of touring and being in this band. All the experiences we've had while we are away or when we are back home.

You’re playing six shows while you’re over here to give New Zealand audiences a taste of your latest tunes. Where are you most looking forward to visiting?

We are excited to check out the insane scenery around NZ and hopefully get some waves in Raglan too!

You’re bringing over Brisbane group Good Boy to accompany you in Aotearoa. How did you discover those cats?

We did a tour with them supporting Grinspoon around Australia. We became good friends and now we get to do this really fun tour!

You’ve been touring around pretty heavily in the passed few years. Does anywhere in particular stick out in your memory as having made a distinct impression on you?

Canada is definitely one of our favourite places to go. The scenery is amazing and the people are super friendly... kind of like NZ.

I can hear some surf culture seeping into your music. What's your relationship with surfing and where’s your favourite spot to catch some waves?

We have surfed for a really long time and it's our favourite thing to do when we are not playing shows. Our favourite spots are usually just close to home where we can surf with friends.

Your video for ‘I Wanna Be Everybody” is pretty crack up. What was involved in putting that together?

That was put together over the month we spent in the US touring with The Frights. The Hollywood boulevard stuff was the funniest and strangest part to do. We patched it all together from stuff we filmed everywhere then finished it off when we got home.

It seems like you’ve got a good chunk of momentum at present with your New Zealand shows selling fast. Do you have any hot tips for young artists trying to get their work out in the world?

Just play heaps of shows and be nice to people!