From within the depths of the Waitakere ranges comes Yebiisu – a soulful mix of reggae, funk and ska. Formed in 2009, Yebiisu wasted no time making an immediated impression on the live scene in Auckland, exciting reviewers and fans alike. Yebiisu continue to be a band whose true love is live performance, and it is within this arena that the band truly shines. Yebiisu answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:
What will Yebiisu’s next release be?
Our second EP, ‘Exit City’ which was recorded at Stargate Studios and mastered at Kog… released this month!
How would you describe Yebiisu’s music?
We play a horn-heavy, technical mix of ska, funk, dub, reggae, and rock. Perhaps less ‘barbecue’, more ‘thinking mans’ reggae…
What can we expect to see from Yebiisu over the next year?
The ‘Moneys Gonna Get Ya’ North Island Tour starts 28 Sept, and we will be playing Queenstown and some South Island dates in early January, as well as plenty of Auckland shows in the meantime to support our killer new ‘Exit City’ EP!
Who are your favourite NZ musicians/bands, and why?
Roofdog, Chur Bo, Harvey Knows A Killer, Acetones, and we LOVE Dunedin’s Left Or Right, but of course we gotta do shout outs to our members’ other bands too – New Way Home, Glasshouse Stoners, The Murderchord, Drivetown, Three Houses Down, and The Skitz (who used to be known as The Managers).
How do you believe Yebiisu fits into the NZ music industry?
Like a horny dub-hop phalllus excitedly reaming the bloated buttcheeks of musical mediocrity.
What can you never leave home without?
Rizlas and a lighter, obviously.
What is your favourite NZ venue?
Mussel Inn near Nelson, and Yot Club in Raglan are both awesome. Kings Arms and Powerstation in Auckland have great sound and bring the punters…
What is the best gig you have ever performed at, and why?
We try to put 100% into every show, but Raggamuffin was great and we also loved having the chance to support Groundation (US) last year, one of the biggest reggae bands on the planet.
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About the interviewer Lisa Jones
I’m Lisa, Muzic.NZ’s founder and manager. I also manage the Aotearoa Music Industry Collective as well as the Aotearoa Rock Community and the Gig Space Facebook groups. I’ve been interested in music for as long as I can remember – I grew up listening to my parent’s records and watching the Top 40 Countdown on TV every weekend. I also played the drums and guitar in high school, and wrote lyrics for some of my friend’s bands. I come from a musical background; my Granddad was one of the main founders of country music clubs in Taranaki. Rock is my favourite genre of music, but I enjoy a huge variety of genres from old school hip-hop through to metal, punk, pop, folk and EDM. My advice to NZ musicians’ is to build yourself a great support network, never be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and talk to
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