NZ Music Month Q&A: Steve Abel
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Steve Abel and his collective The Chrysalids are due to release their impassioned sophomore album Flax Happy on May 19.
Described as a 'kiwi supergroup', Steve Abel's new band The Chrysalids brings together some of New Zealand's most renowned and talented musicians featuring Geoff Maddock (Bressa Creeting Cake, Goldenhorse) on electric guitar, Mike Hall (Brunettes, Dimmer, Pluto) on double bass, Milan Borich (Pluto, Bic Runga band) on drums, and Gareth Thomas (Goodshirt) with the accordion.
Read on to see what Steve Abel would do with a piece of string, a stick and some fabric.Steve Abel and his collective The Chrysalids are due to release their impassioned sophomore album Flax Happy on May 19.
Described as a 'kiwi supergroup', Steve Abel's new band The Chrysalids brings together some of New Zealand's most renowned and talented musicians featuring Geoff Maddock (Bressa Creeting Cake, Goldenhorse) on electric guitar, Mike Hall (Brunettes, Dimmer, Pluto) on double bass, Milan Borich (Pluto, Bic Runga band) on drums, and Gareth Thomas (Goodshirt) with the accordion.
Read on to see what Steve Abel would do with a piece of string, a stick and some fabric.During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
Hmm. Can be anytime but often mid morning is good.
How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
I'll ask - "stylie and timeless" - thanks.
What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
A new song happens - a thrill
How does your environment affect your work?
Dirty air = poor work (I mean emotionally). Solitude good
Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
The big details I like
What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?
Multiple incomes streams (the Pitoflast school of ergo-economics)
Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
It's the recording - it's very satisfying and challenging. I love it and want to do more.
Who or what has inspired you recently?
I just visited Daniel Beddingfield recording his album at York Street and doing live vocal and piano takes with a string section all playing at once. It was great - live recordings rule - which is how we recorded or latest album Flax Happy.
If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
Ah ha! That's so trippy because I did just go back and chose this one! Or I could also be a film maker - I'd love that. Or I'd like to grind and polish peoples lenses for their glasses so they can see better.
What place is always with you, wherever you go?
Wow - I think it's a dappled moss glade in an open high canopied native forest (perhaps beech) with a bell bird singing and a pair of robins watching us from a rotting log as we sit down to rest before continuing our journey. And that damp peaty smell of native forest is always with me - I long for the land when I'm away.
What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
Live. Cause it's live and anything is possible. It's musicians right in front of you doing their magic. What could be better?
You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
I would tie the string to one tip of the stick and then cut the fabric into a diamond shape the size of a 3B1 notebook then slightly wet the fabric and tie it to the other end of the string (which is about 4 feet long) and swing the stick with string extended around my head until the fabric makes a haunting singing sound - try it!
What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
Chill out bro
What's great about today?
It is all there ever is
What's great about NZ Music Month?
Every month is NZ music month when you're an NZ musician and that's great!
What's your big idea for 2008?
Realising how exciting walking places is. Not kidding. We are these physiologically designed walking machines and no other creature can walk on two legs like us and it's a thrill to do it over decent distances. I mean really trip out on it. Just go walking - you were made to do it - you know you want to!! Heaps better than the gym (yawn)
More information
Steve Abel & The Chrysalids release 'Flax Happy'
09/05/08