‘The Eighth Note’ is 8 quick Questions with Wellington Musicians.
A chance for us to catch up with people & see what they’re up to, or introduce you to a new musician/band and their music.
Today’s guest is Sam Thurston from Gypsy swing band Black Spider Stomp.
Who are you? Tell us a bit about your music.
We are Black Spider Stomp, a quintet of local Wellingtonians, and we play Gypsy swing or Jazz Manouche. This style originated in France in the 30’s led by the great Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt. His legacy is carried on widely around the world by a multitude of players, Gypsy and Gadjo (non-Gypsy).
What have you been working on lately? Any new tracks or albums on the way?
We just finished a live recording which we put on 7″ vinyl. There are two original waltzes and two Django Reinhardt compositions. Prior to that we have self-released two full length albums of mostly originals and an album of nothing but classic Gypsy waltzes with a few of our own waltz compositions thrown in.
Where is the best place people can follow you & find your music?
They can find us on Bandcamp where they can stream the music for free or purchase the digital files or get in touch with for the physical albums. Facebook is also regularly updated with our shows around town. We play a lot of duo/trio gigs as well as the whole band. People can also buy stuff of us when they see us busking around Wellington. We’ve actually sold the vast majority of our CD’s this way.
What were the 3 most influential albums to you growing up?
There are far too many great records to bring it down to 3 and they cover a broad range of genres from Jazz to punk to everything else. But as far as this band is concerned obviously the records of Django Reinhardt and the Quintette du Hot Club de France with Stephane Grapelli are the essential influential albums. The greatest combination of melody, virtuosity and passion.
Which other Wellington musician (s) would you most like to work with?
Not too sure. Jamming with the legit Gypsy players in Europe would be something special I think.
What’s your favourite Wellington venue to play in?
Hashigo Zake is always a great time because it is such an intimate setting. We’d love to play the town hall sometime though! One day.
In your songwriting or composing (or the band’s songwriting) how do the compositions and songs take shape?
Usually James or Sam compose the structures and heads and then bring it to the band to work on the overall compositions or add different elements. The waltzes are usually pretty set but the swing tunes are a little looser and everyone brings their own style and ideas to them. We have recorded different versions of Jame’s song ‘Papi’s Waltz’ for example that are arranged quite differently. It’s all very open to new ideas and however we want to do it at the time.
Where/when is your next gig?
The 7″ release is the next full band gig which is on Friday December 9th at the Full Swing Dance Studios, level 1/80 Cuba Street (entrance at 60 Dixon Street). 7-10pm. After that just check Facebook for what’s coming up.
Black Spider Stomp (Manouche) – Sam Thurston (guitar), James Quick (guitar), Adrian Jensen (guitar), Scott Maynard (upright bass), Baron Oscar Laven (woodwinds & brass) @ CJC (Creative Jazz Club) 1885 Britomart, downtown Auckland 17th Feb 2016
‘Black Spider Stomp’ with their version of Django Reinhardt’s composition ‘Mixture’.