‘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.
Up next is Arjuna Oakes, originally from Auckland but now based in Wellington.
Who are you? Tell us a bit about your music:
My Name is Arjuna Oakes, I am a 20 year old musician originally from Titirangi in West Auckland, but am now based in Wellington. I’ve been playing piano for 14 years and singing my whole life. I create music that is inspired by many different musical genres, mainly Jazz, Soul, Folk and world music. My music is often about social issues but told through a personal lens. I enjoy subverting conventions with my music and keeping the music interesting and meaningful but still entertaining.
What have you been working on lately? Any new tracks or albums on the way?
I have an E.P being released in September.
Where is the best place people can follow you & find your music?
Instagram, Spotify and Facebook. [Also Bandcamp, YouTube, Soundcloud]
What were the 3 most influential albums to you growing up?
In our Nature by Jose Gonzales
Based on a True Story by Fat Freddy’s Drop
and Astral Weeks by Van Morrison.
Which other Wellington musician (s) would you most like to work with?
H4lf Cast, they are mates of mine and such amazing performers! They have that perfect mix of exciting stage presence and topical/meaningful music that I think will take them far!
What’s your favourite Wellington venue to play in?
Caroline is fun! Also have played in San Fran with a band called The Shambles, that was wild!
In your songwriting or composing (or the band’s songwriting) how do the compositions and songs take shape?
I will start with the music, usually just chords on the piano and then will start singing to flesh out a melody. The use of harmony in the chord progression will usually provide me with the theme/mood for the song. Then I’ll find a line that informs the lyrical content. Often, I will only truly understand the meaning of a song half way through writing it, or even not until it is finished.
Where/when is your next gig?
Not playing for a little while as preparing for an E.P launch. I’ll be playing at the MOON birthday gig on 31st of August and then touring in October, possibly playing some low-key gigs before then. [Arjuna Oakes Single Release at Caroline to celebrate the release of his single “Lost”, which is the second single off of his upcoming E.P].
VMorg LTD chat with Arjuna Oakes about his experiences in the New Zealand music industry with both The Shambles and Arjuna Oakes Music.
From the Radioactive.fm Orcon Live Room, July 2019.