Something a Little Left: An Interview With Electric Wire Hustle

1/30/11 | By Zach Cole | No Comments

For quite some time now, we’ve been rather in awe of the self-titled electric, neo-soul album compiled by the three New Zealand musicians collectively known as Electric Wire Hustle. In fact, the 2010 BBE release of the album made many of our writers’ top albums lists for 2010. It’s always a pleasure to be able to swap knowledge with artists from different parts of the world, so when the opportunity came up to interview Electric Wire Hustle, we were all over it.

Hit the skip to read about the formation of Electric Wire Hustle, their views on performing in America, and a solid list of other New Zealand acts that you should be checking for right now.

Potholes In My Blog: Let’s start at the beginning. How did you all first meet, and what led you to form Electric Wire Hustle?

Electric Wire Hustle: We met at different occasions. I had just returned from being a participant at the Red Bull Music Academy in Melbourne and was itching for something new. I met Myele while he was busking one afternoon in Wellington. His drumming blew me away. Mara and I met later that year while performing with different bands over a New Year’s Eve festival. His voice just stood out instantly. We linked in a café the following day and it turned out he was moving to Wellington. The three of us got together soon after and it was quickly apparent that a lot of our musical influences and tastes were similar and we were all looking to explore something new. The name came out of a search for something that was a little left. I was scouring albums to find ideas and the name ‘Electric Wire Hustle’ just popped out. Not because that was my favourite track off the album in particular – I just thought it had something to it. Electric Circus – however polemical it’s been – did have a massive impact on me though.

PIMB: Your debut album is by far one of the most impressive soul records in recent memory. In fact, it’s even drawn comparisons to D’Angelo’s Voodoo. Were you influenced by that Soulquarian era of music?

EWH: Thank you. It’s very humbling to be given any praise involving Voodoo or to any works involving the Soulquarians – they are a massive influence on all of us and a height of music that we all aspire to.

PIMB: How did the opportunity to re-release the album come about? Why did you opt for the re-release instead of releasing an entirely new project?

EWH: It wasn’t so much a re-release as an opportunity to release worldwide on a number of platforms through a label that we have a huge respect for. We released the album independently in New Zealand, so to be given the opportunity to partner with a reputable label that would assist us getting our music out to the rest of the world was an awesome opportunity.

PIMB: You’ve had the opportunity now to work with a handful of the most innovative artists around. Which other artists out there would you like to collaborate with?

EWH: There are many – we’ve been putting out a shout to Jay Electronica as of late. We all have mad respect for what he is doing at the moment. A collab with the UK’s Funkineven or Floating Points would be crazy too. There’s also the dream of being able to work with Erykah Badu.

PIMB: You’ve recently been on tour, including many stops in the United States. How have those shows been doing? Are you finding the international crowds to be as receptive as your New Zealand crowds?

EWH: Just as receptive if not more. Recently our show in San Francisco was one of the warmest receptions we’ve ever had. I had a little trepidation leading up to playing in The States as, more than anywhere else, it is the home of much of our musical influences so you want to live up to that.

PIMB: It’s not often that New Zealand artists have major breakthroughs in the United States, so for those of us who might be missing out, what are some other artists from New Zealand that we should be checking for?

EWH: Julien Dyne, Benny Tones, Ladi6, Isaac Aesili, Eru Dangerspiel, Trinity Roots, The Little Bushmen, Pacific Heights and Fat Freddy’s Drop.

PIMB: What plans do you all have in store for 2011?

EWH: We’re trying to write as much as possible and continue touring in amongst that. 2010 was incredible but didn’t allow for much time to write collectively – so that’s going to be the focus this year. Hopefully we’ll have a few new tracks dropping in the earlier part of the year.

PIMB: Thanks again for taking the time out to speak with us. Any final words for the fans out there?

EWH: Thank you for having us on the site and for all your support. It’s a massive privilege to be able to travel, perform and have our music heard in all these amazing places – so a huge thank you to everyone who has been listening and spreading the word.

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