‘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’s are Brad & Tink from new Rock/Metal act Eight Eyed Orchid.
Who are you? Tell us a bit about your music:
We are Eight Eyed Orchid, our members are Jared Beckett (bass), Tere Goodwin (synths), Marcus Gurtner (drums), Brad Jenkins (guitar) and Tink Matthews (vox). Our music mostly lives in the alternative rock/metal neighbourhood, with some progressive rock sensibilities twisting and stretching things in interesting directions. Big riffs, dark, psychedelic, quirky, catharsis, that sort of thing.
What have you been working on lately? Any new tracks or albums on the way?
Our debut EP ‘One By One & Two By Two’ is being released on 8 November; the lead single Petrichor came out back in August. Since the EP recording we’ve been working on songs that will be on our debut album.
Where is the best place people can follow you & find your music?
You can keep up to date with EEO developments via our Facebook page. Our music exists purely in the digital realm, it can be found on Bandcamp, Spotify, all the usuals.
What were the 3 most influential albums to you growing up?
Brad:
Faith No More – The Real Thing
The Smashing Pumpkins – Siamese Dream
Tool – Ænima
Tink:
Tool – Ænima
System of a Down – System of a Down
Slipknot – Slipknot
Which other Wellington musician(s) would you most like to work with?
We’re still so shiny new as a band, the idea of a collaboration with other musicians has never come up. What I (Brad) have thought about, though, is working with a lighting designer—a great light show can take a gig to another level—so if any clever lighting folks read this, flick us a message!
What’s your favourite Wellington venue to play in?
Valhalla is a fun place to play. Ben works his arse off to support local bands.
In your songwriting or composing (or the band’s songwriting) how do the compositions and songs take shape?
Brad writes a song (just music, no vox) and makes a demo. Tink then comes up with his vocal material for the song, while Jared, Tere and Marcus use Brad’s demo parts as a jumping-off point for coming up with their individual parts. Then it’s a matter of seeing how all the parts sit with one other and tweaking rhythms, melodies, harmonies, screams and feedback as needed.
Where/when is your next gig?
Our release show for One By One & Two By Two is on Thursday 22 November at Valhalla. We have Sheeps and Planet Hunter joining us, so radness is guaranteed 😉