The Automatic Changers Newsletter Interview

What can we expect to see from These Automatic Changers over the next year?

The first EP of course. Our intention is a slow build increasing in profile here and abroad.

Preferably an international release and distribution and a foot in this market and other territories.

We are quite concious about everything being done correctly so we wont tour until the live show is the best it can be as it must stand up to international standards and we will be keeping away from playing every little place in the country and concentrating on areas of maximum exposure so the performances really add value for audiences.

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

Learn all aspects of the business and your craft. Understand where the revenue streams are, keep your overheads as low as possible and surround yourself with like minded individuals and dont waste your time with people who dont ‘see’ your vision

Who are your favourite NZ musicians/bands, and why?

Hmm maybe Kora having lived abroad for alot of years thier live show stands up to internationals where a lot of local bands can’t. There is a difference to putting on a show versus just doing a gig and this is the entertainment business and they are entertaining.

What will TAC’s next release be?

EP ‘These Automatic Changers 1’.

How do you believe TAC fits into the NZ music industry?

Again, like a lot of our international counterparts its a question of “what industry?”. The business model is evolving and a workable form is yet to be truly established. For us its a case of being the label, the artist, the management and the promotion which is ok and NZ is very small with few real players so I think business-wise we will fit in here quite easily. Its a very ‘DIY’ nature here,  I don’t believe we will be relying on the ‘funding cycle” that drives our industry but ultimately our style of music will only truly fit the student network or night time rock radio so we are forced to form alliances outside of NZ in order to survive and that’s a good thing

How do you describe TAC’s music?

If you are the kind of person who likes references then maybe a cross between Led Zep 1, early Prince, a touch of Curtis Mayfield (Superfly) and perhaps the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. It’s guitar driven rock’n’roll, recorded live to tape including all the spill, noise and electricity. Throw in raw blues and a touch of country and voila…

What is the best part of being a musician?

The final mix paying back through large monitorsand satisfied that you created that.

What is in your CD collection at home? 

Alot of Tom Waits, Prince, Bukka White, Son House, early Aerosmith, The Black Keys, The Band, Funkadelic, David Bowie early Ike & Tina Turner, Hendrix, New York Dolls, Howlin Wolf , Seasick Steve, Sex Pistols, Sly Stone etc etc….

What inspired you  start These Automatic Changers?

A need to be creative essentially and a release for that. Beyond this, a desire to pin people to the back-wall with the sheer weight and volume of a Les Paul and twin Fender combo’s played in stereo across large PA’s. 🙂

How did you come up with the name These Automatic Changers?

Our bass player Lee read that part of the name was a back up title for Exile on Main-street by The Stones and we added the first word. It has no connotation which means the music speaks for itself. We don’t do publicity photos or all the normal web presence stuff in order to maintain a mystique and allow the material to do all the work. The name doesn’t lend itself to any particular genre which is perfect. Good rock n roll is as it always was and need not be explained, just heard…

The EP will be available from Bandcamp primarily at the following link. Stay tuned!!! the first single ‘How Many Times’ can be downloaded for free right now.

Bandcamp   http://theseautomaticchangers.bandcamp.com/track/how-many-times  (Free high quality download)