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New EP: New Age Leper

‘New EP’ is where a band or artist answers some questions about their latest release. Up next is Stoner/Robot/Blues rock’n’roll band New Age Leper, whose latest EP ‘The Day the Stranger Came’ is due for release on Monday the 14th of August.

When/where was the new EP recorded?
The EP was recorded at Blue Barn Studios in Wellington during June.

Who produced/engineered the EP? How did the tracks come together in the studio, or at home?
The EP was produced and engineered by James Goldsmith at Blue Barn and then mastered at Audio Siege in Portland, Oregon. All of the songs on it were written prior to entering the studio and we already had an order in which we decided to record them. In the future we would definitely look at writing in the studio.

Did the shorter format of an EP give you the option to experiment in any way with your sound or with different forms of song-writing?
I think with this particular EP, we spent time experimenting with the songs prior to entering the studio. We wanted a particular feel or mood for the EP and definitely feel like this was successfully captured.

Was there any specific gear you used to capture that?
I’ve always been a fan of a more vintage sound and as well using our own gear we were also able to track extra guitar and keys with gear available at the studio. We used an old fender bassman head for the bass and got a lovely warm, gritty sound. I’ve always preferred fender amplification and use a supersonic for my guitar sound.

Is there a particular track or theme that the EP was formed around?
This is a great question and yes. There is a song titled ‘The Frown’ on the EP and is the final track. There is a line, ‘and as I walk through the town the candles blow out.’ The EP is titled ‘The Day the Stranger Came’ and is completely based on the song and this line. A mysterious character who enters a township carrying with him a dark entity that threatens a prolonged state of melancholy for all who encounter it.

Where do you see the EPs place in growing an audience online? Do you see it as a progression towards an album or a separate entity?
I think the world is filled with so much music now and the EP is an opportunity to showcase to the world what you are capable of. It is a separate entity but for us most definitely hints a full length release soon.

Which digital platforms is it available on?
This will be available on both Bandcamp for download and to be streamed on Spotify.

Are you doing any gigs or promotion for its release?
Absolutely. ‘The Day the Stranger Came Tour’ begins in Napier at the Cabana on the 15th of September, Auckland at Ding Dong Lounge on the 13th of October, Hamilton at Nirvara Lounge on the 14th of October and Wellington at Caroline! on the 4th of November.


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