Where did the name ‘Spawts’ come from?
Spawts comes from a Kyle Mooney (SNL, Good Neighbour) sketch ‘Sporty’ where he wears a thrift shop jacket with sports written down the sleeves. The band name Sports was taken but after gaining permission from the now defunct kiwi act we changed the spelling to suit our lazy South Island accents.
How would you guys describe your sound to someone who’s never heard it before?
Driving melodic indie rock with post punk & garage influences.
You guys just released a new single ‘Piss In The Wind’ - tell us about what that song means to you?
It’s about the part of politics which can bring the worst out and how the system and society creates an environment and expectations where a lot of the people who might be best to lead us would never dream of getting involved - and how I am not really sure how to make it better.
You guys kicked off your NZ tour in Palmerston North, playing with Feildings Best Dancers - which member of Spawts do you guys think is the best dancer?
This would have been a tight race between myself & Kieran but our new bassist Ben really outshines both of us in the dancing department. Think a cross between Elvis Presley & Danny Zuko.
What do you guys think the most fun part of going on tour is?
Meeting bands & like minded people at the shows. Meeting people who have just come out to see live music warms my heart.
And the worst?
Not really knowing what your sleeping situation is going to be, whether you will have time for a shower or how much sleep you’re going to get. Just feeling dirty 24/7 can really put you in a funk. But special shout out to the people who for no other reason than being decent humans go out of their way to house us & make us as comfortable as possible.
Do you have any advice for budding musicians, thinking of planning their own tours?
Organise everything as early as possible, don’t over complicate simple things & don’t be afraid to ask strangers for help.
Do you find that you guys have a similiar recipe for creating songs (ie. same parts assigned to certain members of the band) or does it change up everytime?
We definitely had a formula for our early releases but in the process of making a record that broke down & changed depending on the song. Kieran (guitar) will always bring in a guitar part & we will jam out a basic structure to tape so we can review & make any necessary changes. After that we can go wherever we want, whether we go straight to the demo process, jam it out more, play it live or completely disassemble it and build it back up.
What do you guys think the best thing about the local scene in Auckland is?
Everyone is really welcoming & will look out for you. I haven’t really heard people talking shit about other bands. Everyone seems to understand that we are all trying to do the same thing.
And what’s one thing you’d love to see change/improve?
The headliner shouldn’t be starting at 11:30pm.
If you could collaborate with any artist (dead or alive), who would it be?
David Byrne.
If you could start one dumb rumour about the band - what would it be?
Kieran’s dad invented the bow flex.
Lastly, convince our readers in only 3 words to come check you out next time you’re playing in their town?
Home by twelve.
Quick Fire
The one song I wish I wrote is…
Nothing, Probably by Sheep, Dog & Wolf
Three things I can’t live without are…
Moisturiser, skateboard & sparkling water
Phones out, or phones away when watching a gig…
I’ll be more focused on the band than you so live your life the way you want
Three adjectives that describe my life are…
Rad, Rad, Rad
If I held a world record it would be for…
Distance travelled on a skateboard
My first memory of loving music is…
6 years old performing 5ive deep cuts before school
The song of mine that I am the proudest of is…
Fairy Tales
One band I could listen to on repeat forever is…
Parquet Courts
The ideal environment for me to create music in is…
Offline
If I could have any two bands open for me they would be…
Carb On Carb & Nakey (RIP)
Keep up to date with Spawts
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