1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
At the moment we are preparing for the release of our second record 'Rainmaker', rehearsing for shows and shaping our plans for the future. It's all pretty intense.
2.Recently you have recorded a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have done in the past?
The music on 'Rainmaker' is a lot sparser, a lot more riff-driven than on our first album 'Brighter'. We stripped back the effects and the density of the guitars, experimented a lot with different instruments and percussion. I think the end result is a record that hangs together a lot better, even with the range of different material that's on it.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
We all had a hand in the lyric writing process this time around. We explored a few themes that contributed to the imagery and overall feel of the album. Dreams, both comforting and terrifying, and the images that linger after them. The vision of a dry, desolate earth. Personal memories.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Spook the Horses'?
We wanted a name that evoked a reaction, but didn't denote anything too specific, and looked good in print. After a few candidates "Spook the Horses" is what we landed on.
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
We played a few shows opening for KYLESA last year, which was a hell of a time. Whenever we play in our home town Wellington after an extended period is always a lot of fun, and really humbling.
In our live shows we always try to create an atmosphere, an environment that encompasses our audience, no matter how big or small they are. We want to pull you into our world for the entire set. When it ends, it should be like an exhale of breath you didn't know you were holding in.
6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
We will be touring cities in New Zealand around the release of the album early this year, with our eyes set on an Australian tour later on. In the future we plan to play in Europe, Asia, and eventually the US, all going well.
7.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
Not at the moment. We put out feelers for labels to release 'Rainmaker' on, but ultimately decided to release it on our own label, allowing us a bit more freedom.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of atmospheric metal and post hardcore?
We've had a lot of incredibly positive feedback online from our first album and the singles from 'Rainmaker', coming from all over the world. It was a real surprise for for a band at the ass-end of the world to be getting fans from the Czech Republic, Scandinavia, Indonesia, the US, all over. It's exciting, bizarre, encouraging.
9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We're constantly trying to put ourselves in different situations and locations to create in, trying to stay outside of our comfort zone. We're switching around instruments between members a lot. I have a feeling that whatever we do after 'Rainmaker' is going to be very different to anything that came before for us.
10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
There's an enormous breadth of tastes within the band, ranging from prog rock, alternative hip hop, 60s pop, black metal, synth porn, etc. Big influences on this most recent record were albums that evoke a very specific tone and setting and keep you there for the duration, such as Earth's 'The Bees Made Honey in the Lion's Skull' and Cult of Luna's 'Somewhere Along the Highway'.
Currently on heavy rotation for me: pg.lost, Death Grips, Moderat, The Blood Brothers, Bolzer, Code Orange, Dödsvarg, A Winged Victory for the Sullen, Kollwitz and Lorde.
11.What are some of your non musical interests?
I work at a video games company as a quality assurance tester. Games are almost as big a part of my life as music.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
It's very, very fucking exciting for us to be on the cusp of so many things this year. Our second album, playing overseas, as well as some other projects we have under construction. We can't wait to share 'Rainmaker' with the world. I hope everyone enjoys and is terrified by it.
At the moment we are preparing for the release of our second record 'Rainmaker', rehearsing for shows and shaping our plans for the future. It's all pretty intense.
2.Recently you have recorded a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have done in the past?
The music on 'Rainmaker' is a lot sparser, a lot more riff-driven than on our first album 'Brighter'. We stripped back the effects and the density of the guitars, experimented a lot with different instruments and percussion. I think the end result is a record that hangs together a lot better, even with the range of different material that's on it.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
We all had a hand in the lyric writing process this time around. We explored a few themes that contributed to the imagery and overall feel of the album. Dreams, both comforting and terrifying, and the images that linger after them. The vision of a dry, desolate earth. Personal memories.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Spook the Horses'?
We wanted a name that evoked a reaction, but didn't denote anything too specific, and looked good in print. After a few candidates "Spook the Horses" is what we landed on.
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
We played a few shows opening for KYLESA last year, which was a hell of a time. Whenever we play in our home town Wellington after an extended period is always a lot of fun, and really humbling.
In our live shows we always try to create an atmosphere, an environment that encompasses our audience, no matter how big or small they are. We want to pull you into our world for the entire set. When it ends, it should be like an exhale of breath you didn't know you were holding in.
6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
We will be touring cities in New Zealand around the release of the album early this year, with our eyes set on an Australian tour later on. In the future we plan to play in Europe, Asia, and eventually the US, all going well.
7.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
Not at the moment. We put out feelers for labels to release 'Rainmaker' on, but ultimately decided to release it on our own label, allowing us a bit more freedom.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of atmospheric metal and post hardcore?
We've had a lot of incredibly positive feedback online from our first album and the singles from 'Rainmaker', coming from all over the world. It was a real surprise for for a band at the ass-end of the world to be getting fans from the Czech Republic, Scandinavia, Indonesia, the US, all over. It's exciting, bizarre, encouraging.
9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We're constantly trying to put ourselves in different situations and locations to create in, trying to stay outside of our comfort zone. We're switching around instruments between members a lot. I have a feeling that whatever we do after 'Rainmaker' is going to be very different to anything that came before for us.
10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
There's an enormous breadth of tastes within the band, ranging from prog rock, alternative hip hop, 60s pop, black metal, synth porn, etc. Big influences on this most recent record were albums that evoke a very specific tone and setting and keep you there for the duration, such as Earth's 'The Bees Made Honey in the Lion's Skull' and Cult of Luna's 'Somewhere Along the Highway'.
Currently on heavy rotation for me: pg.lost, Death Grips, Moderat, The Blood Brothers, Bolzer, Code Orange, Dödsvarg, A Winged Victory for the Sullen, Kollwitz and Lorde.
11.What are some of your non musical interests?
I work at a video games company as a quality assurance tester. Games are almost as big a part of my life as music.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
It's very, very fucking exciting for us to be on the cusp of so many things this year. Our second album, playing overseas, as well as some other projects we have under construction. We can't wait to share 'Rainmaker' with the world. I hope everyone enjoys and is terrified by it.
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