10 Questions with Albi & the Wolves

Pascal Roggen of Albi & the Wolves. Photo / Supplied

Albi & the Wolves violin player Pascal Roggen gets the 10 Questions treatment ahead of this month's New Zealand tour:

1. Describe your sound in one sentence.

Vibrant soul filled folk.

2. What is it about New Zealand that most inspires your music?

The melting pot of different cultures living in this breathtakingly beautiful country.

3. What can new fans expect at your shows on this joint tour?

A captivating and varied show, with some good laughs and great stories. You'll definitely want to bring your dancing shoes as well.

4. What is your favourite song to perform live and why?

To a theatre crowd it's Story. It's got a wonderful chorus that changes it's sentiment in context to the way it's sung and the verses that surround it. The song also moves from contemplative to passionate to fragile. It takes the audience on a trip and you get more out of it the more you listen to it.

5. What does success as a musician mean to you?

An engaged crowd that buys your music. :)

6. If you could add any one instrument to your line-up, what would it be?

Cello could be interesting. We used to have a banjo player so maybe another one of those again.

7. What message would you give any young person wanting to be a successful musician?

Be prepared to do a lot of work that isn't directly musical. Administration, transport and making connections with people are very important. Be reliable!, know your music and turn up on time. There are a lot of musicians with a similar level of skill, be someone that people want to hang out with.

8. Who or what excites you most about the New Zealand music scene?

The surprising amount of different influences people have in such a small country.

9. You can only fit one album by another artist on your device — what is it?

Radioheads' OK Computer.

10. You're curating a music festival. Who's on the bill, alive or dead?

Bjork, Jimmy Hendrix, Radiohead, Bach on the Organ, Bowie, The Beuna Vista Social Club, Pink Floyd, Rage Against The Machine, The Beatles, Elvis, The Rat Pack, The Bee Gees, Queen.

• Albi & the Wolves, the Frank Burkitt Band and The Slacks are joining forces this month for a Folk Revival mini tour in Auckland (Tuning Fork, July 26), New Plymouth (Kakaramea Hall, July 27) and Paekakariki Hall (July 28).