Every Man For Himself Newsletter Interview

What is the best gig/event you have ever performed at, and why?

Honestly, any show where people have danced to our music, had a korero and a brown with us after and we’ve spent the van ride right home as a band reliving all the things we did and said. I have noticed a pattern though where these shows mainly happen in flats or houses where there are way too many people in a tiny room. Wellington last weekend at Brown Note with Scab, Congaline and Ornithologist was a perfect example of this, and the kind of show I keep practising for.

What can we expect to see from Every Man For Himself over the next year?

Hopefully a more focused unit than in years past. We’ve learnt plenty over the past six months from great local shows as well as a three-week stint in Aussie. Because of this we are working hard at present to lift our game in a range of areas. That includes being more selfish with our music and focusing on writing music that excites us as a band, right through to be being more creative with merch and promotional ideas etc. Ultimately though we are working towards our first full-length album which with any luck will be done within the year. That will serve as a yardstick for any progress we make from now.

What other NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?

There are so many young, talented bands from all over NZ that never get the respect they deserve. Musically they can be as good as their bigger counterparts, but if they don’t get the support or shots others do, they quickly burn out. Currently Im enjoying bands like ACalmBefore, Congaline, Force Fed, Trauma and hope they don’t follow that same unfortunate path. As a band we are also glad to see the likes of Antagonist playing Big Day Out this year. They are a hard working unit, been a huge help to us as a band, and are a good representative from our scene at one of NZ’s biggest music events. Im not scared of seeing deserving bands holding a bit of mainstream spotlight.

If you could, what rumour would you start about yourselves?

That our band members were from trendy, old bands. That seems to be enough to give some other bands an instant key to scene stardom. We tried that tactic though, but apparently church worship bands don’t count.

What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?

We’ve been through a number of phases and influences as a band where we have altered our sound for a time. It hasn’t always been for the best, or seen as a smart move by listeners whose opinions matter to us. My advice then would be for a new band to listen and plan first as opposed to rushing to pump music out. Decide where you want your music to be played, the message etc. and for whom your music is for. I’ve seen how quick perceptions of a band can be made and how long and hard it is to change them.