Kerretta Interview

Interview answered by

H.Walker, Kerretta.

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?

We began the process in late 2012 and we have the first single out in April just before we play some dates in Spring. We're looking to perform some of the new material live on this tour that we're excited about that. We've been based in different cities as well, so that has made the approach to the new record different as well.

  

2.You have a new album coming out this year, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction of the new recording and also how does it differ from your previous releases.

I guess the musical direction is the same as we have always done, which is look to the future rather than reference the past. The approach to each recording though is different. For Vilayer and Saansilo, a lot of the ideas were sourced from being together in a studio and recording large amounts of material, referencing it, and then going back through any working through parts which we liked and then over time many of these ideas were sculpted into songs. The approach for this record was different to the previous two in that a lot of the ideas were brought in the studio prior and worked from there.  This was partially situational as we were in different cities/countries during some of the early writing process. We also we able to add some other instrumentation we hadn't in the past and I think the record sounds very different to the others as a result.

3.What are some of the themes and images the band brings out with the newer music?

This one was definitely more of a concept in a linear start to finish form than the prior albums. Some of these are alluded to in the song titles, but I don't wish to give anything more away than that. Without wanting to be too obscure, I like the idea of music still having the how/why/where mystery run through it. 

4.Are there any plans to use vocals in the future?

I can state that we work on more of a never say never policy.…so it's possible you may hear some soon!

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Kerretta'?

I can answer this question without appearing too evasive!

We wanted to evolve in whatever way it wanted without pre-conceptions so we were intentionally vague, similar to the bands beginnings really, but it's an amended spelling on a place called Kereta based on the Coromandel Peninsula in the North Island of New Zealand. 

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

I guess the three of us would have different ideas here. If I had to choose a few based solely on very memorable shows but for different reasons: Our last show in Auckland was great because we were all living there at the time, The Smell (Los Angeles, USA) because I had to use a borrowed drum kit which was almost almost’s a child’s practice kit and we played with The Narrows to a hardcore crowd on the floor, playing in Poland at a Polish air force dance hall when it was-28 outside, opening for The Breeders to a seated crowd at a hall and choosing to play our most metal set, or any show where we have a gear failure and are forced to work around it and come up with a different set on the spot to suit.

To answer the second part of your question; a mix of technical and explosive. I like the instruments being dynamic and hit as quietly as they would be hit hard.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album comes out?

Absolutely. I am hoping we'll never leave your listings page for quite some time after it's released. Possibly in the Autumn it’ll start though!

8.The band is signed to Golden Antenna Records, how did you get in contact with this label and also how would you describe the support that they have given you so far?

We were playing the SXSW festival in Austin, TX, USA in 2010 and were performing with another band called My Education. My Education's label was called Golden Antenna and they then contacted us through Myspace and after hearing the record, licensed it for Europe. At the time I remember there being a few years where indies were dropping off the radar and GA were pretty upfront from the start about how they do business, so that was refreshing. And since then, GA have been great, and have helped us out a lot. The owner Timo often tours with us, tolerates our average gutter-level sarcasm and is polite enough to correct us on our poor grammar. No small achievement for a label-boss with English as second language. 

9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of metal and experimental rock?

Every time we play a show, we still have to pinch ourselves that people come to see us, buy our records etc in places we've never been and sometimes never heard of prior to us playing there. We're additionally lucky as well in that we're able to play as many metal shows as we are able to play punk shows, and experimental gigs. And we always get people come and tell us story's, tell us about their bands, give us their demo's or records, invite us out, so I'd say overall the feedback is pretty positive.  

 10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

I guess the next record will be a good indicator of the next step. Beyond that, we'll just take it as it comes at the time. No doubt we'll try some things that may or may not work!

 

11.What are some bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

I'm mostly focused on musical projects that I work on really and as a result, don't get an opportunity to listen to much music when we're not on the road. This is mostly because the majority of the recording/mixing/producing is all done internally within the band (so I hear our stuff ALL the time). In saying that, records that are current and I've enjoyed listening to that we've had an opportunity to check out while on the road are Planks "Funeral Mouth", The Knife "Shaking The Habitual", Warpaint "ST", the new QOTSA, the dub side-project of Cevin Key (from Skinny Puppy), and Mantar - "Death by Burning". 

12.What are some of your non musical interests?

Not many unfortunately, as it's basically an obsession, the musical side as well as the "business" side. I can however ride a horse pretty well.

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts? 

Thanks for taking the time to interview me. Hopefully we’ll be in Leipzig again soon for a show.