I like hearing what other people are into, and all my friends are those type of people that have so much music they want to show you which has led to a rule of not putting a new song until the last one has finished.
Certain reoffenders have been recently breaking that rule a bit.
I actually hate the pressure of picking the music for a group. That probably sounds funny but it's true. In saying that, there will always be some new artists I'm feeling who I'll put on the stereo when the music starts getting a bit too recycled.
What and where is your favourite summer venue?
Honestly, I think I still love playing house parties the most, but every festival and venue is heaps of fun as long as the people are into it.
Apart from the gigs, where else are you looking forward to stopping along your tour route?
I usually play it by ear when it comes to stop-offs but I especially love finding scenic spots or swimming holes and checking out little towns.
Do you have a go-to vendor for a great feed?
I probably eat too greasy on the road, lots of takeaways. If I'm in New Zealand then fish and chips is a pretty common occurrence.
I love eating nice food as much as I can though so I'm always down to stop at different spots and investigate.
I like trying new things so eating spots that look unique or off the beaten track always tickle my fancy.
I recently tried alligator (or crocodile, I get confused) for the first time, which was pretty legit, a bit gamey though.
Best spot for a quick dip in the ocean, or an inviting swimming hole?
Oh man, so many good spots all over. Off the top of my head (this changes all the time though), I'd have to say this spot just out of Takaka at the top of the South Island.
It's a freshwater spot with the most crystal clear water and heaps of things to jump off.
What song will you be playing to really get the crowd going?
I am still marinating on that decision, but I promise it'll be good.
What are your plans for New Year's Eve?
This year I'm playing Rhythm and Vines followed by Northern Bass then coming all the way back down NZ to finish at Rhythm and Alps for New Year's Eve.
Do you have any New Years traditions?
Nothing too ritualistic, maybe just the standard 'reflect on the year and set some new goals'.
Who's on your ideal summer music fest dream team line-up?
I'm pretty spoiled for choice with the festivals I'm lucky enough to be at this summer, but I guess I'd love to see Burial (my favourite producer) and yeah maybe Elvis or Tupac or GG Allin or something.
What's your best summer road trip anecdote?
I was with some friends and we were on the road pretty late at night when we decided to stop at this cliff face, ridge type thing and explore it.
I dunno how to describe this thing and I'm terrible at estimating distance, but picture like a skinny rocky ridge that's so so high up and would be pretty dam scary to look off if we hadn't been drinking (except the driver).
So anyway we pile out of the car and decide that this 2am, stroll along a skinny cliff is an epic idea.
We start walking the cliff and we have kind of naturally broken into some sort of single file arrangement so we could fit on this ridge.
I'm talking with my buddy who's right behind me in this line and we're both really into some chat about the meaning of life or some other big issue ha.
While I'm talking I slip on a rock and instantly my friend behind me, who is thankfully a big dude, caught me under the arms and like places me back on the ridge.
This probably sounds insane but we both just get straight back into our discussion, to be honest we probably talked right through.
It wasn't until we were out on the farthest point of the cliff that we both realised he had just saved my life.
We still have a laugh about that when we catch up. It was a silly idea though and I hope my mum doesn't read this.
-nzherald.co.nz
