Where did the name ‘ColdxWar’ come from?
I really wish there was an interesting story behind the name but the reality is we just threw names around until something stuck. To us it symbolises the fact that as a Straight Edge band we are engaged in a battle of ideologies of sorts. Living in Aotearoa, which has such a heavy drinking culture, means being Straight Edge is in direct contrast to a lot of norms and ideals.
You guys define your genre as “Wellington Straight Edge”- what made you guys decide to really claim that as your genre?
The whole reason we got together was our collective identity as straight edge. We embrace it, and we aren’t ashamed of it. It’s also pragmatic, a clear indication of what we are about, and what we represent. Genres flow and mix these days, but being a straight edge band from Wellington is a constant truth.
A few of you guys have been a part of other Wellington bands in the past – what made you guys decide to form ColdxWar together?
All five of us have actually been in other Wellington bands, and we were all in bands when we decided to form ColdxWar. January 9th 2016, Cam, Jamie, Joram and I (Bo) were walking down an alleyway after the Turnstile show on our way to the waterfront when we realised that the four of us were all Straight Edge. Naturally, we decided then and there to form a band, and we asked Caspar to join as he had recently claimed edge. It took us a while to get together and release some music, but it all boils down to five friends with a love of music and a shared belief.
You’ve just released ‘Hegemony’ – tell us about what this song means to you guys?
Hegemony is about the growing threat of nationalism across the globe. It has become normalised again, so we’re seeing a rise in open xenophobia in places like America, Australia and Europe, even our own backyard. It’s about the consolidation of power by dangerous far-right groups, and the attempt to control all aspects of society as well as the media’s role in the spread of these hateful ideas. It’s a rejection of the far-right’s rhetoric of treating minority groups as perpetrators when the fact is they are the real victims of terror.
Do you find that you guys have a similar recipe for creating songs (i.e. same parts assigned to certain members of the band) or does it change up every time?
The majority of our songs were brought to life by the unstoppable creative duo that is Joram and Caspar. They would write a song, come to practice and share it, where the rest of us would help shape the final song with our feedback. I would then write lyrics, checking in the rest of the guys to make sure they were okay with the topics I was writing about. Hegemony is really the first song that feels like it was crafted as a fully group effort from start to finish, and we’re really proud of the result.
What do you guys think the best thing about the local scene in Wellington is?
The only direction it can go from here is up, so we’re excited to see what the future brings. The local scene has been somewhat lacking recently, but it’s being revived with new bands popping up every so often, so it’s fresh and exciting.
And what’s one thing you’d love to see change/improve?
More diversity in the scene. I want to see Wellington’s answer to bands like She Loves You, Bad Sport and Shepherds Reign. I also want to see kids come to shows, get inspired, start a band and then blow everyone away. There’s a lot of talent out there, but as a scene we need to be more welcoming.
If you could collaborate with any artist (dead or alive), who would it be?
Happy Valley – we’re all about growing and supporting the scene so to us being able to work with local bands, our friends and whanau means more to us than playing with big international artists.
If you could start one dumb rumour about the band – what would it be?
We’re not really a band at all, we’re an anarcho-communist hive-mind bent on ruining everyone’s fun with our lofty ideals and hatred of the establishment.
Or we’re not actually straight edge, we just do it for the clout.
Lastly, convince our readers in only 3 words to come check you out next time you’re playing in their town?
Aggressive, sensual experience
Quick Fire
The one song I wish I wrote is…
True Survivor by David Hasselhoff
Three things I can’t live without are…
Aunty Menas Vegan Restaurant, Eddie Murphy’s 1985 hit song ‘Party all the Time’ & socialism
Phones out, or phones away when watching a gig…
Phones away - unless you need to send a quick message.
Three adjectives that describe my life are…
Awkward, wholesome & fulfilling
If I held a world record it would be for…
The longest blank expression held.
My first memory of loving music is…
Driving around Singapore with my dad and sister in the mid-90s listening to the Monster Mash on the radio.
The song of mine that I am the proudest of is…
It’s a toss-up between ‘Hegemony’ and the song I sing to my cats entitled, ‘No, you can’t have a second dinner’.
One band I could listen to on repeat forever is…
M83
The ideal environment for me to create music in is…
With my whanau.
If I could have any two bands open for me they would be…
Sabercat and probably just Sabercat again, but maybe with fake moustaches on.
Keep up to date with ColdxWar
Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify
Interview by Mandie Hailwood
Photo courtesy of Mell Leenders
