‘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 April Fish.
Who are you? Tell us a bit about your music:
April Fish is the name I (Katie Morton) use for my original music that isn’t part of other projects. I usually play with John Costa (currently on double bass; previously on Warr guitar and drum machine). Sometimes we have other singers or instrumentalists join us.
What have you been working on lately? Any new tracks or albums on the way?
We have a new album on the way! Keep an eye out around the middle of the year… I’m also working on a long-term interactive musical project called “Blake’s Box”, which will eventually be online
Where is the best place people can follow you & find your music?
facebook.com/aprilfishmusic
aprilfish.bandcamp.com
What were the 3 most influential albums to you growing up?
Age 6: I would plop Dad’s oversized headphones over my ears and play Crowded House’s “Four Seasons in One Day” until the swear word in the second verse, then rewind and start again. I couldn’t believe they were allowed to do that. My parents had no idea what I was listening to and I felt like I was getting away with something naughty.
Age 11: Weird Al Yankovic, “Running With Scissors” My friend let me copy her cassette and I spent an entire summer blasting “Albuquerque” until I could recite the entire 11 minute saga with perfect timing and intonation. I thought it was the funniest thing on the planet.
Age 19: I didn’t feel like I really understood the appeal of pop music until my late teens, and even then I found it hard to connect with what seemed like a culture based on certain types of aural and visual tick boxes. Discovering The Dresden Dolls opened up my world. Their eponymous album showed me that you could break the rules, be raw, be broken, be messy, all while making important art. I now know that people have been doing this forever, but they were the first ones that I discovered. I felt like I had been given permission to experiment.
Which other Wellington musician (s) would you most like to work with?
I’m so lucky, knowing and having worked with my brilliant friends in their various projects over the years. There is an abundance of talent in this city. But to answer the question, if Iva Lamkum wanted to collaborate, I’d be there in a flash!
What’s your favourite Wellington venue to play in?
I love playing in cafes and art spaces. We played at The Dowse Late Lounge a while back, and I really enjoyed both the crowd and the setting.
In your songwriting or composing (or the band’s songwriting) how do the compositions and songs take shape?
I write alone. It involves a lot of scribbling and staring at the wall and repetitive off-key singing that makes sense in my head but probably not to any flies on the wall.
Where/when is your next gig?
We have an amazing 10-piece choir working hard to prepare to sing at Cubadupa 2017! We’re playing at San Fran on Saturday the 25th at 5pm. Part of a stellar lineup, so I’d highly recommend making a day (or weekend) of it.