Lifestyle and Leisure
From city to cave
Jo-ann Hodgson interviews An Emerald City
Formed in 2005, An Emerald City have crafted a unique sound, drawing heavily on Eastern tradition and psychedelic experimentation, as is evinced by their forthcoming debut album. The six-piece won new admirers at some of New Zealand's major festivals, Womad and Rhythm and Vines, this summer, and count Crowded House front man Neil Finn among their fans. "He has just been supportive and enjoyed that we were making different music as a lot of people have," songwriter and guitarist Reuben Bonner tells Emigrate magazine.
The band are currently recording their debut album in a cave on the rugged west coast of Auckland, saying that it is the perfect atmosphere to capture their music.
"There is certainly a lot to be inspired from in our country; mainly beautiful rough and rugged landscapes and exceptional people," says Reuben. "There is nothing better than leaving the hustle and bustle of London coming into the winter and landing in the green summer of New Zealand."
As well as enjoying success on the live music scene, the band have achieved exposure on New Zealand's alternative radio, Qing Song spending four weeks in NZ's premier alternative radio station's number one spot.
Proud to be making their mark on the NZ music scene, Reuben says that there is "just so much good music", in the country. "It's so rich with all these amazing bands and artists that billions of people around the world will never discover."
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