It’s a strange thing calling someone you have never met to discuss music. Thankfully for me Hamish from Hamilton band Chatchy was more than happy to talk to me about his band starting out, the Hamilton music scene and killer dance moves. In fact he was fairly Chatchy (sorry pun required, I have no self control). The 7 piece group (formally Out of Time) consist of guitarists, a drummer, keys, synth and a horn section and take inspiration from kiwi-landers like Kor a The Black Seeds and Fat Freddy’s Drop. Dub and reggae groups do tend to have larger numbers in the band, but Hamish said having many hands does indeed make funky work. He explained that everyone contributes their ideas to a song and that each member’s points are valued. He indicated a fair bit of democracy plays out at the song construction stage where differing ideas are played through and members can say what they like better. Getting the right sound is really important to the band, especially as they are starting out. That right sound has been noticed by people in the right places and the band have won the Waihi Battle of the Bands as well as a competition with York Street Studios to record their first single. The song Running Away came out a few weeks ago and has an accompanying music video which already has stacks of Youtube hits. Hamish appeared really pleased with the end result. The band have also have gone back to the studio to produce what they hope to be an
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album by the end of August. I ask a little too expectantly about an EP, but unfortunately I’m told there isn’t one as of yet. If people like what they hear, they’ll just have to come to gigs. Drats aye….
Make a point of supporting our local gigs, then, who knows we might even get some more. It’s gigs where Hamish insists the band are really on form. Groups like Fat Freddy’s Drop, Shapeshifter and Kora have some fantastic stage shows that the band would love to emulate. Hamish admitted that the band have even been working on a few dance moves. He insists that they are rubbish at dancing, but I have my doubts. We discuss Joe Lindsey, trombone player for Fat Freddy’s who’s presence on stage is something between a horror show, a comedy and full on funk. With Hamish and fellow horn player Matt Bizzle looking towards the likes of Lindsey for inspiration, I can envision Chatchy’s shows are well worth the investment. So if gigs are where it’s at, then where do we catch Chatchy? Well, that’s a little bit of an issue. Hamish admits that starting out as a band in Hamilton is hard. The band want to be playing constantly, but finding venues and setting up shows does appear to be a bit of a sticking point. I suggest that Hamilton’s punk,
hardcore and metal elements might be taking away some of the punters. Hamish laughs this off and takes the opportunity to discuss how the band are putting a rockier edge on the existing dub and reggae sounds. He hopes that there is something for everyone when you come to a Chatchy show. He also explains how great it has been to have the support of local act, Knights of the Dub Table. The two bands have played a few sets together and Hamish suggests it’s always a good night with the Knights on the bill. The next chance to see the lads is at Flow bar on Vic Street on May 26 where they’ll set up along side a bunch of other local acts to celebrate NZ Music month. Hamish hopes that it will be this summer when things will really take off though with summer festivals and hopefully some more recording under their belt, the band will be making a real go of it. Until then, we might be able to get a few gigs in with the lads and make sure that they have the support they deserve. Nothing warms up a half frozen Hamilton winter like some funky sounds from a great local act. So check them out when you can, make a point of supporting our local gigs, then, who knows we might even get some more.