Rotorua band Strangely Arousing takes Asia by storm

Rotorua Daily Post reporter Kelly Makiha catches up with Forrest Thorp from Rotorua band Strangely Arousing, who are currently on tour in Asia.

How did the opportunity to go to Asia come about?
Through Lukas' father who has been an immigration consultant for the past four years. A professor at Pachai University in South Korea, the only university specialising in event management. The professor is very close friends with one of the seniors of the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival. When Phil, Lukas' father, showed our music to the professor he in turn showed it to the senior on the board of the festival. We then received an invite to play a set at the festival.

Strangely Arousing's Lukas Wharekura performs at Lakeside Whenua #itsabouthome in February this year. Photo/Ben Fraser

Who has gone?
Lukas Wharekura - lead vocals, guitar, Shaun Loper - bass, Oliver Prendergast - drums/samples, Liam Rolfe - trombone/backing vocals/samples, Forrest Thorp - trumpet, keyboards, synthesisers, Liam van der Werff - production manager and tour manager, Philip Wharekura - Lukas' father and honorary tour manager.

Where are you playing?
Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival, Incheon, South Korea, Dream Maker Travel Club, Beijing, China, Nanchang Swiss Grand Hotel Bar, Nanchang, China, Nanchang Swiss Grand Hotel Poolside, Nanchang, China and Seed Music Centre, Hefei City, Anhui, China.

Rotorua band Strangely Arousing are currently on tour in Asia. Photo/Supplied

Why Asia?
We have always thought that people in Asia would love our unique, diverse sound, so it has always been a low-key dream of ours. However I have to say, I never thought the opportunity would come about this quickly. The people here are lovers of passionate, charismatic forms of art, and we have received a fantastic reception thus far.

How did your debut album go last year?
The album went absolutely great. That is another huge dream of ours that has come to fruition. Often when we need a touchstone or reaffirming of our somewhat risky career choice in this confusing world, we can look at the more tangible things we have achieved, such as the album, and it leaves me with no doubt that we are on the right track. We charted at No 3 nationally and No 7 internationally in the albums category, and stayed on the charts for three weeks, while we completed our album release tour, of which we managed to sell out two shows in Auckland and Whangārei. Rotorua and Wellington nearly joined them.

Will more singles be released?
Not at this stage, however we have a new single set for release September 28 followed by two shows at Auckland's Tuning Fork and Wellington's San Fran on October 12 and 19.

Strangely Arousing are taking their special sound to Asia. Photo/supplied

Are there plans for a second album?
That's pretty under wraps for now, but there are definitely plans in place.

How hard is it to keep the dream alive?
It can be extremely challenging at times, as is the case with a lot of things, but it's times like these that make it all worth it.

From Rotorua high school friends to touring Asia. Photo/supplied

What makes Strangely Arousing such a special band and where did that bond start?
SA is a band that tries to bend boundaries between genres and stay beholden to nobody but ourselves and our own musical intuitions/tastes. We don't allow ourselves to be boxed in by almost anything and that has worked out to our advantage. We are also special in the sense that we have a extremely close bond as friends and brothers, we aren't afraid to help each other, to talk about issues/problems/things that would normally be avoided by a group of six blokes. I believe this is what gets us through the harder times.

What does the future hold for the band?
More music and more international tours hopefully!

How can locals best support you?
Buying/streaming all New Zealand music, not just ours. Definitely please come out to shows when you can make it and don't be afraid to form a friendship/relationship with any of us because that is the most special part of travelling/touring.