Cinematic and freewheeling, the evocative music of Dr Colossus weaves a vast web of sounds and references: a Tijuana knife fight, pistols at dawn on the steppes of Siberia, complex Balkan rhythms, yearning East-European melodies, warped electronica, rip-tide surf guitar, infectious beer-hall beats, '50s kitsch and a generous helping of skewed rock and twisted metal.

With each performance this band of multi instrumentalist madmen conjure up a heady blend of romance, humour, beauty and chaos.Cinematic and freewheeling, the evocative music of Dr Colossus weaves a vast web of sounds and references: a Tijuana knife fight, pistols at dawn on the steppes of Siberia, complex Balkan rhythms, yearning East-European melodies, warped electronica, rip-tide surf guitar, infectious beer-hall beats, '50s kitsch and a generous helping of skewed rock and twisted metal.

With each performance this band of multi instrumentalist madmen conjure up a heady blend of romance, humour, beauty and chaos.Dr Colossus is playing at The Festival Club, part of Red Square - the heart of Auckland Festival 2009; a multi-venue hub based in the Aotea Centre precinct.

During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
Late at night, sometime after 12 - fewer distractions.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
I really have no idea, spastic?

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
If I have been having trouble with a song, really bashing my head against the wall, the point where it finally begins to come together is probably the most exciting and rewarding. 3:30 in the morning, I'll be jittery and over-caffeinated, my mouth feeling like a million dead cigarettes, when things suddenly become very clear. Just before becoming completely stewed in its own toxins my brain will for a short while become the USS enterprise travelling at warp factor 5.

That's what it feels like anyway"¦..

How does your environment affect your work?
Very little.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
Well, its not really an either/or type scenario. Personally I feel its necessary to do both, so its more of a question of which order these things happen. I believe it goes something like this:

1. big picture
2. details
3. big picture
9. details
0. details
1. big picture
42. pig bicture
pi. details
cosine. Etc"¦
or maybe its the other way around.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?
I am currently living off tinned spaghetti, dirt and rainwater. Not really the person to ask.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
Dr Colossus

Who or what has inspired you recently?
The 50's. Malcolm McDowell.

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
I wouldn't.

What place is always with you, wherever you go?
The space inside my left nostril.

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
I only listen to music that has been heavily compressed and encoded in Mp3 format, using tiny white earbuds. Why? Because I hate music.

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

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?"Don't worry, be happy"
- Meher Baba via Bobby McFerrin via Big Mouth Billy Bass

What's great about today?
Good mix of sun and wind. Got a lot of washing done.

What's great about the Auckland Festival 2009?
Too many to list.

What's your big idea for 2009?
Try and record an album, travel.