‘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 Simon, the front man of new rock band John, If You’re Out There.
Who are you? Tell us a bit about your music:
My names Simon Rofe and I am front man of Wellington rock band John, If You’re Out There. Brendon and I are cousins and Zach and I went to school together in Gisborne. After Zach showed me some of his early compositions in music class I knew I had to form a band with him! Luckily all three of us ended up moving to Wellington. We came together from a similar drive to be in a diverse band who aren’t afraid to put progressive and metal elements into our songs. We now have two more members Karl Rogers and Max Beauchamp that complete the line up. Our music sits somewhere between rock and metal with our songs usually incorporating softer melodic parts and heavy chuggy riffs.
What have you been working on lately? Any new tracks or albums on the way?
In March we went up to Tsunami Studios in Levin with a plan to record five songs but ended up recording eight. Max had just joined the band on bass a week before so couldn’t make it up. Once we got back we decided to go back up the studio in June to record three more tracks along with Max this time. This becoming our debut album. We have now got the album up on Bandcamp and are intending on getting some physical copies made at some point to sell at shows. The album showcases songs written in the four years we’ve been together both old and new.
Where is the best place people can follow you & find your music?
On our Facebook page we post what we’re up to and any links to new music. We are also on Soundcloud and Youtube and made a Bandcamp page recently.
What were the 3 most influential albums to you growing up?
Our band has a lot of different influences but personally the three albums I would choose would be:
Pink Floyd – The Dark side of the Moon
It’s the perfect album really, it’s hard find anybody who doesn’t love that album and I find it very inspirational that so many people with different tastes can love that album. Roger Waters lyrics were what inspired me to write my own which began my songwriting.
Opeth – Damnation
Zach was always trying to get me into Opeth but at the time I couldn’t appreciate the Death Metal, then I heard this album and it opened up my world to now one of my all time favourite bands. The album is brilliant start to finish
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers – The Last DJ
First full album I ever got into, I took the album from Dads CD collection and wore it out, Petty’s story telling is so captivating.
Which other Wellington musician (s) would you most like to work with?
We recently played a gig with a band called Sheeps, they were real cool dudes and we had quite similar tastes between the members which was awesome. Their music was really good, with massive walls of sound.
What’s your favourite Wellington venue to play in?
Valhalla. It’s an awesome venue to play and watch other bands at. The sound is great there and made for bands who like to play heavy.
In your songwriting or composing (or the band’s songwriting) how do the compositions and songs take shape?
It’s always different to be honest! Everyone in the band has contributed to writing which is the way we like it, everyone gets a say. Sometimes someone will just come in with a riff and we’ll all work at it together other times Zach and I have come in with fully formed songs ready to go. I write the lyrics, which is for me a very cathartic experience. Anything that’s bugging me whether it be personal or something going on in the world I’ll write about it, a good way to make the most of the negatives in life.
Where/when is your next gig?
Well our drummer has just left for Melbourne so in the meantime we’re looking at doing a few stripped down acoustic shows around the place for something to do in his absence so watch our Facebook page for updates!