We searched for months for the ‘right’ piece of music for The Big Idea's 10 Year video and were delighted to hear Bright Idea, written and performed by Andrew Keoghan. We took the opportunity to find out more about Andrew and the song, from his debut LP Arctic Tales Divide.

During what hours do you feel most inspired?

I usually write music at night and if it’s going well, into the early hours of the morning. Perhaps it’s that false sense of being the only person in New Zealand still awake. There’s that feeling of isolation, which I find a good starting point and one not easy to attain living in the city. By midnight I’m so exhausted that any distractions or anxieties have temporarily faded. It’s bizarre how fast the clock races through the dead of the night though.

How would a good friend describe your style aesthetic?

I had to ‘phone a friend’ specially for this question and was told ‘ethereal, slow-burning, melodic, non-formulaic and asymmetrical’.

What aspect gives you the biggest thrill?

It’s nice when another musician adds their energy and skill to a new song, taking it to a different and often better place than you’d imagined.

How does your environment effect your work?

My studio space is fairly messy and I don’t mind the clutter in that context, but I’m a stickler for a clean stage before shows. I have been known to conduct a solo emu parade (sometimes of the whole venue) to ensure it’s very tidy. I think it’s a family trait. My Dad always stressed to me the importance of an ordered workstation and looking after your equipment. I’m sure for me it’s tied up with some kind of notion of seeking clarity, or starting from a point of no distraction/baggage and feeling the freedom to move.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on details?

I find it easier to see the broader picture when working on other musicians’ projects. It’s harder to be objective when your own songs are concerned. I’m quite analytical and it can help to have someone like a producer to remind you when you’re losing your marbles on one small aspect of the process. In that sense I was lucky to have Wayne Bell produce Arctic Tales Divide. What took one week to record, may have taken me two years (or a lifetime) to finally be content with.

What is your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?

It is an ongoing challenge to make ends meet as a musician in New Zealand, no matter how busy you are. The best advice I’ve been given is to keep persevering and turn any set backs and criticism into increased motivation and to ensure you don’t undervalue what you’ve spent a long time improving.

Which of your projects has given you most satisfaction?

The recording of my first album two years ago was very satisfying, but more recently it would be the recording of Victoria Girling-Butcher’s new album, alongside a group of like-minded musicians who happened to be some of my closest friends. Good collaborations are often effortless. During the past couple of months I’ve worked with James Milne (Lawrence Arabia), recording strings for his new album and I’m pleased with how those sessions came together.

Who or what has inspired you recently?

PJ Harvey’s album Let England Shake and more recently, electronic/glitch-oriented music, like that of the British dub-step producer Burial and the German artist Alva Noto.

Tell us a bit about your background?

My Mum’s a piano teacher and she encouraged my brother, sister and I to get classical music lessons when we were kids. I started on violin when I was five and then took up singing and later guitar and saxophone at school. When I was 21 I sung in the opera Turandot. In 2005 I went to South America to write music and backpack around. I’ve been based in Auckland for the past five years.

Tell us a bit about your debut LP Arctic Tales Divide – from inception to conception?

The album's based on personal encounters, be they euphoric or a little unfortunate, between 2007 and 2010. Gloria is about averting the advances of an escort near K Road while dropping off a mix CD to a friend. I hope Gloria (not her real name) is alright. The song Arctic Tales Divide is from a conversation with a model understandably keen for others to appreciate her smarts and not looks alone. Floor's a canvas is about dancing at weddings and imagining the sort of art people would drunkenly create on a big sheet of paper with paint on their feet. Oh and there's some relationship-based stuff smuggled in there too.

Near the end of 2009 I recorded arrangements of the songs in my home studio and handed them to producer Wayne Bell. We discussed a few ideas, but agreed not to think too hard about them before Christmas. We recorded in the new year at The Lab studio in Mt Eden, with engineer Olly Harmer. Some songs we tracked live with a full band, while for others we'd ask musicians Wayne knew or that I knew to come in. They generously added their new parts and by the end of the week the album was finished.

You’ve had whirlwind year with the album! What have been some highlights?

I enjoyed the two trips to Australia for shows and the recent gigs in L.A and the CMJ festival in New York. The Big Apple lived up to its' billing. What a heaving behemoth. Perhaps the the best highlights this year have come while playing on other musicians' albums.

Thanks for letting The Big Idea use your song Bright Idea for our 10 year video! Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration for the song?

Bright Idea is certainly one of the more literal songs on Arctic Tales Divide. It's essentially about having an idea and driving everyone else a bit mad in pursuit of making it happen. I guess things don't get done without someone taking that sort of attitude and others picking the idea up and running with it (or if not, quickly changing the subject). In that sense it's about collaboration and the inspired input of others.

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you’ve chosen, what would it be?

I’d be a pilot. I love everything aviation and at airports I spend ages staring at planes. I’m also a bit of a space enthusiast and went along to hear moonwalker Buzz Aldrin’s presentation in Auckland a couple of years ago.

What place is always with you, wherever you go?

It would be the island of Antigua, in the West Indies where I was born. I grew up wanting to play cricket for the West Indies, which during the 1980’s had the most formidable fast bowling quartet. I was only two when my family returned to New Zealand, but my parents never stopped talking about Antigua. It was pretty special to return again 5 years ago.

What’s the best way to listen to music and why?

In a car with a tape deck. Why? Because that’s all my car has and music and traveling are a beautiful pairing. I only have three functioning tapes left - Michael Jackson’s Thriller, David Bowie’s Heroes and the best of the Rolling Stones. I really need to replace stocks at Real Groovy some time.

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?

I’d make a sail for my bike to make the trip home from town a little easier. I’d have to break the stick in half to make the sail boom.

What’s the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?

Meditation’s very good, although I haven’t shown the perseverance required. You’ve reminded me of something I need to go back to.

What’s your big idea for 2012?

I’m hopeful that it will come to me in the form of a few more songs for my second album. I’m getting there.

*****

• Andrew Keoghan

Andrew Keoghan’s debut LP Arctic Tales Divide was released in March, with The New Zealand Herald calling it ‘a magical, multi-layered pop gem’ and ‘an early contender for local album of the year.’ It was a Sunday Star Times CD of the week.

Arctic Tales Divide mixes pop, folk, classical and electronic influences and through the looping of electric guitar, violin and one-man-choir backing vocals, this Caribbean-born Kiwi offers an intriguing and truly international album about unexpected encounters and confused love.

Independently released in New Zealand, Arctic Tales Divide is published by Australia-based Native Tongue, with works administered in North America by Bug Music.

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