‘Gig Checklist’ is a new feature where a band or artist answers some questions about an upcoming live performance. Up next are Melting Faces, who are playing at The Performance Arcade tonight.
How often do you rehearse? How does the band prepare for a gig?
We practise once a week, more if we can. Individually we have other music projects which we work on so time management gets pretty hectic. We have a studio space nestled near the port, dug into the side of a hill so its great to be able to make as much sound as we like and not have any noise limits. We usually start any practise with a loose improv jam to loosen things up and get into the grits from there. The best prep for a gig has to be a bibimbap from Miss Kangsta in the Willis markets or a mean Turkish eskender if I’m honest.
Does any of your live performance equipment differ from your rehearsal/studio gear?
We’ve been experimenting with lots of different electronic gear in our studio but it hasn’t yet spilled over into our live set yet.
Do you record your performances regularly? If so, why do you record? And what do you use to record?
We record the majority of our practises. Its such an awesome resource to be able to go back and listen to something, work on it and refine it. Often we’ll have a jam which would have otherwise been forgotten or do something different in a song that might enhance it and be able to implement it. We were using a Tuscam DR-40 placed somewhere around the edge of the room to capture everything but we recently invested in a Tascam 16×08 which gives us 16 channels to play with and allows better separation of instruments.
What is your favourite venue in Wellington? Why?
My living room, because its comfy.
Do you have any new material lined up for this gig?
At the moment we are working on recording an E.P which should be ready for release mid to late this year, at the same time were recording songs for our debut album. We’ll be playing some of the songs we have recorded so far for the performance arcade plus a one or two from the old EP.
Of your original compositions, which is your favourite track to play live? Why?
For me our track Skeletons from oblivion. Its named spending to much time writhing around in virtual caves, fighting monsters. Its quick, crashes like waves and quite fun to play.
Where/When is your next gig:
Melting Faces at The Performance Arcade 2018.