‘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 Finn Johansson.
Who are you? Tell us a bit about your music:
I’m a long time guitarist and songwriter who’s recently fallen in love with the piano.
What have you been working on lately? Any new tracks or albums on the way?
I just released a couple bangers that you can find on my Bandcamp page (they’re not really bangers unless large amounts of feelings constitute a banger).
Where is the best place people can follow you & find your music?
Bandcamp.
What were the 3 most influential albums to you growing up?
Scribe – The Crusader
Neil Young – Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Gillian Welch – Time (The Revelator)
Which other Wellington musician (s) would you most like to work with?
I’m lucky – I work and play with such incredible people here in Wellington that I’d be surprised if there was anyone I’d rather do it with anywhere else on the planet. That’s Dick Whyte (Bent Folk), Chris Wratt and the folks from Miles Calder and the Rumours and ONONO. That being said, I’d love to do some jamming with Emerald from Draghound and/or Maddy from Moody V and the Menstrual Cycle (but she just left town so dang!). Emily Fairlight is a no brainer. Or Rose Blake (Blaek)! I’m getting carried away but it’s your fault Wellington, you wonderful bastard you.
What’s your favourite Wellington venue to play in?
Probably San Fran with Bernie on the desk and Many Hands doing the lighting. Also would love to see a resurgence of house party gigs, but it’s a complicated one juggling all the logistics, especially with regards to saf(er) spaces.
In your songwriting or composing (or the band’s songwriting) how do the compositions and songs take shape?
I write lyrics on my phone when I’m out and about, then play them on the piano or guitar a million times in my room in the middle of the night and they slowly take shape. When it comes to instrumentation in the recordings I usually play all the instruments myself and just experiment with what I have at hand.
Where/when is your next gig?
Tonight at Meow for Songwriters in the Round, and Bush Bash in Te Aro on Saturday!