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 guitarist John Kingston, who records under the moniker Box Of Hammers.
Who are you? Tell us a bit about your music:
My name is John Kingston, I’m a Guitarist and performer based in Te Whanganui a Tara Wellington. ‘Box Of Hammers’ is my Solo Ambient project based on Guitar and synth drones to create dense multi layered cinematic soundscapes.
What have you been working on lately? Any new tracks or albums on the way?
I am constantly working on new ideas! I just released a new track on the Strange Behaviour label. I have an album coming out shortly, hopefully also on this fantastic label
Where is the best place people can follow you & find your music?
I have a Bandcamp page, and a Box of Hammers Facebook page.
What were the 3 most influential albums to you growing up?
Tricky!
Before I went to High School:
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club – The Beatles
War of the Worlds – Jeff Wayne
Oxygene – Jean-Michel Jarre
But… probably the most influential album for me is Heroes by David Bowie, it’s utterly gorgeous and unique, and I still find it transports me to this otherworldly place Bowie is creating for us to escape to.
Which other Wellington musician (s) would you most like to work with?
Without a doubt Riki Gooch! He’s a magician, I just love him! He has said yes so hopefully we will find the time this year.
What’s your favourite Wellington venue to play in?
Most of the venues I played in have closed or changed, so my favourites have all gone sadly… but last year I played a solo set at Valhalla and James Woods did a Fantastic job with the sound. I also played at Moon in a Jazz band where I played electric Sitar and that was great. That’s such a cool little bar. Since they reconfigured Meow I love that place now and that would be somewhere I’d love to play.
In your songwriting or composing (or the band’s songwriting) how do the compositions and songs take shape?
I’m usually inspired by visual queues, so seeing an image, or going somewhere and getting a feeling in a certain place – like sunsets, or how the streets and parks are lit up at night – these are the things which make me start writing and recording almost as soon as I get home. My last single was inspired by a night time walk to oriental bay where I took some photographs, then when i got home I got a really special vibe off one of the photos and started recording a piece of music, which has been released on the Strange Behaviour label with that photograph as the cover art.
Where/when is your next gig?
My next gig is at the Splore festival at Tapapakanga Regional Park – this weekend! I’m playing at 9am on Saturday February 25th on the Lucky Star Zone Stage. It’ll be a cool vibe where people will be either just coming down from a night of dancing, or just getting up so some Ambient music should be just the thing! I did the same thing at the Shipwrecked Festival and got some really lovely applause and good comments afterwards.
Summer Haze from Box of Hammers on Vimeo.