Yep, he's everywhere. If you haven't caught Age Pryor's latest solo album Shanks' Pony yet, chances are you've seen him in Fly My Pretties or - if you're lucky - leading local strummers The Wellington International Ukelele Orchestra in a crowd-amping rendition of "Hey Ya". His sweet melodic tones also make an appearance in Eagle Vs Shark, which opens in July. He's on tour till early July - check his website for dates. In the meantime, read on to find out why he can't write "unless I have dirty fingers, a budgie and a carbide lamp"...Yep, he's everywhere. If you haven't caught Age Pryor's latest solo album Shanks' Pony yet, chances are you've seen him in Fly My Pretties or - if you're lucky - leading local strummers The Wellington International Ukelele Orchestra in a crowd-amping rendition of "Hey Ya". His sweet melodic tones also make an appearance in Eagle Vs Shark, which opens in July. He's on tour till early July - check his website for dates. In the meantime, read on to find out why he can't write "unless I have dirty fingers, a budgie and a carbide lamp"...At what time of day do you feel most inspired?
Probably at the start of the day when I have the most energy - or late at night when everyone's gone to sleep and you feel like the world is yours for a few hours. Or in the middle of the day when you're on a roll. Or when you're sleeping and having crazy dreams. Yeah.

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
A good gig, when you're on stage feeling like you're surfing a monster wave.

How do you think your environment affects your work?
If it's a sunny day, I write a song about the sun. And the day. If it's windy, wet and miserable, I write about wind, water, and I try to make the song very miserable. Thinking about that, I guess my environment does affect my work quite a lot.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
I like to look at the big picture in very fine detail. Or sometimes the finer details very generally.

Shanks' Pony is your second solo album. What were the biggest differences for you in recording it compared to your first album, City Chorus?
My attitude was the biggest difference. When I made City Chorus I was throwing things together. With Shanks' Pony I was able to be a bit calmer about it and take time to make sure each part of the job was done well. I worked especially hard on the writing, the performing, and the recording, and also the other bits.

The cover of Shanks' Pony features an illustration by director Taika Waititi. How did that come about?
Taika and I have known each other for years and started bumping into each other a bit last year. He invited me to put a song on his feature film Eagle vs Shark, and near the end of his work on that film I invited him to do the artwork for my album. He was itching to get back into drawing or painting as he'd been working solely on films for the last few years. I was itching to get him on my project because he's a crazy art genius.

You co-founded The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra. If you could ask any musician in the world to do a guest spot with the band, who would you ask?
Bob Dylan, no question. Paul McCartney would be pretty cool too. And Tiffany would be third choice. I think we're alone now.

What was the biggest challenge of being part of Wellington super-group Fly My Pretties?
I don't remember anything being tricky about Fly My Pretties. It was great to be working with a big group of fine upstanding people. Apart from the moaning and bitching and carrying on. But people helped me through that.

How has playing with other groups influenced your solo career?
Both Fly My Pretties and The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra have provided big lessons for me. Fly My Pretties pushed me to a new level of songwriting and allowed me to perform my own material in front of big, appreciative audiences, which was a new thing. The Ukulele Orchestra is a constant inspiration and reminds me, and everyone else, of the inherent fun and enjoyment that music gives. Just sing the damn song, you know.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
Again, The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra. It's a good time. I dream of going full-time ukulele band and doing solo projects on the side.

Who, or what, has inspired you recently?
Coffee. I've never been a big coffee drinker, but when I do drink it I'm unstoppable. Look out, I'm telling you.

Describe the ways in which your childhood play has influenced how you work as an adult.
I didn't play as a child. My parents had me grafting in the coalmines as a way of putting food on the table as they were unable to work themselves. As an adult I find I can't write unless I have dirty fingers, a budgie and a carbide lamp.

What's your number one business tip for fellow musicians?
Undercut the competition. If someone charges $1000 for a performance, you charge $850 and take their gig. Either that, or get really, really good at what you do and get the gigs that way. Both work.

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
I'd cheat. If it wasn't music exactly, it would be sound or writing or something almost the same. The most different thing I've done is outdoor adventure guiding (white-water rafting), and the whole time I was doing it I was working out how to get back into music. Film work is fun though. You get to act important.

What place is always with you, wherever you go?
NW Nelson - Abel Tasman, Golden Bay, Moutere area. My spiritual home. Hippy life and sunshine.

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
Driving, on a great stereo in a quiet car. Because music is about movement, and you take part in that when you're moving too.

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
A present for the person next to me. I'd say "here, I made this for you. It's a stringy sticky fabricy crafty thing". And they'd be overjoyed and give me something back. Maybe an iPod or a new phone or something.

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
Do you have any? I'd like to hear it. I'm feeling a bit stressed with all these questions.

What's your favourite word?
Community. Or collective. Or collaboration, or any other word beginning with C and meaning people working together. Like corporation, or conglomerate, or cartel or consortium. Makes me feel good inside.

What's great about today?
I still have two arms, two legs and am breathing without pain. That's awesome. Other people I love are in the same condition. Fantastic.

Interview by Cass Hesom-Williams

19/6/07