A regular fixture of New Zealand's music scene since 2017, indie rockers Mako Road have built a solid reputation as festival favourites.
Now the four-piece are nearing the release (30 July) of their debut album titled 'Stranger Days', which features the previously released singles 'Surfing On Mars', 'Helicopter', 'Don't Keep Me Waiting' and the latest single, which is the album's title track.Ahead of an east-coast tour in September (fingers crossed the borders remain open), Connor McErlich (lead guitar) sat down to chat about the group's development and recording 'Stranger Days'.
The journey of the band since you formed four, five years ago; how have things progressed and what's been the biggest change/ adjustment you've had to make?
Yeah, things have changed quite a bit from when we first started out. Back then, we took a pretty ad hoc approach to band life. We'd do the occasional gig, write the occasional song, and we did that along with other stuff we had going on likes jobs and uni.
But since we've made music our main focus we've had to be way more deliberate in how we go about writing music and planning tours. There's a fair bit more pressure as well now that our audience has grown. So the past couple years have been about adjusting to that.
The band's debut album 'Stranger Days' lands at the end of the month; it features four previously released singles as well as four other unreleased tracks; as an introduction to the band, how do these songs encapsulate the creative direction of Mako Road?
Yeah, we're stoked to have the album come out. It was a bit of a mammoth task and it's a bit like a rite of passage for any band to have a collective body of work like that.
Rather than a new creative direction, we like to think of the album as another step towards discovering our own sound. Pretty sure that'll be a never-ending process with us, whoops. It's definitely a bit more psychedelic than stuff we've done in the past; I think we gravitated towards that because that kind of stuff is really fun to play.
You recorded the album at The Surgery in Wellington; how did that space and the equipment you had at your disposal help shape the album?
The Surgery is a buzzy wee study. It's a bit of an institution of NZ music where heaps of Kiwi artists have recorded. It's got a pretty retro vibe to it and there's a lot of history that's run through there, so it was a cool experience for us to be a part of that.
James Goldsmith engineered for us and he had some sweet toys that he showed us. As we were recording songs, we'd spit out some ideas and he'd fiddle with stacks of consoles to get us where we wanted. Going into the studio is always a bit of a learning experience.
You produced the album yourself with assistance on the engineering and mixing side of things; was it important to keep that independent mindset for this release? Will you work with record producers in the future?
We like to keep the creative side of things within the group.
It's good for us in developing our skills and our bass player CJ has been working on his producing to fill that role. We'll keep an open mind to working with a producer sometime in the future, but honestly no clue at this point.
You'll also be releasing the album in vinyl format; was that an important part of the album release, to put it out on vinyl?
Vinyl is dope. Gotta be done. It's like a piece of art and people love its novelty, so would be rude not to.
Your Aussie September dates sold out in 90 minutes; fingers crossed the tour can go ahead; that response to the band must've been an endorphin-inducing moment?
Always stoked by the reception we get from Australia. Yeah, it's looking pretty dire at the moment. It would be devastating if we have to postpone again. But what can ya do yanno.
As a band who has forged a reputation as a festival favourite and standout live act, how have you coped/ managed the past year or so as touring has all but ground to a halt?
We've been super lucky in NZ with things being relatively smooth sailing. It has put us on halt with our international goals, but the same goes for every band. Really feeling for those in Aus who have been in and out of lockdown, and having their plans thwarted constantly by COVID.
Without sending you into a tailspin of nostalgia given the lack of touring opportunities atm, what are the best aspects of life on the road as a touring musician?
Meeting new people and exploring new realms is probably the best parts. We're pretty lucky that our music is helping us have these new experiences and it's something we are super grateful for.
When you are travelling together as a band, who chooses the playlist on the car stereo and what's getting played?
Oof! I like to think we are pretty democratic on the aux. There's always a bit of Black Keys, UMO, maybe some Fat Freddys Drop. Bob plays exclusively Benee, which is fair given he has a massive crush on her.
Who's the go-to chef in the band when you're on the road (aside from Uber Eats obviously!)?
Pretty sure Bob and CJ are in heated competition for the best vege nachos.
Which Mako Road member has the best wardrobe?
I think we are all equally inept.
The Bledisloe Cup kicks off in a couple of weeks; are you Kiwis ready for the Wallabies to take the silverware back across the Tasman? It's been long enough!
Hahahahahahahahahahah. G luck.
'Stranger Days' is available from 30 July.
Mako Road 2021 Tour Dates
Thu 9 Sep - The Factory (Sydney)* sold outFri 10 Sep - The Night Cat (Melbourne)* sold out
Sun 12 Sep - The Triffid (Brisbane)* sold out
