Urbantramper is a 3 piece electric UTOPIA band from Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand. The band features Lake (vocals, bass, keys, etc), Andy Hoy (drums, midi triggers), and Phil Jones (keys, backing vocals, bass, etc). We are touring Australia to promote our new release – INTERNET FREEDOM IS LOVE- an album dedicated to the sharing of sentiment and ideas across vast distance. This is our homage to the new poetics of wifi, email, and online chat. ElectricUTOPIA is an aural representation of unrealised dreams. It’s the soundtrack to the future we forgot; DIY pop for the wireless.
What’s your earliest memory of performing and who inspired you to start?
I was initially inspired by the usual suspects: Kris Kross, New Kids on the Block, G & R, Syd Barret. My first performance was in the family lounge. I was 10. My grandma mocked my voice and I probably cried.
You must answer this question honestly or we steal your rider. What and where was the first gig you went to?
The Beastie Boys in Wellington, New Zealand.
‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?
I think my father unwittingly sparked my early fascination with all things psychedelic and excessive through his collection of Pink Floyd and Led Zep records.
What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now?
I can’t afford an iPOD. I’m still streaming: Bon Iver – Bon Iver. It’s really good isn’t it?
How do you find new music?
At gigs or my friends tell me.
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?
I sing an old traditional tune, “Im gonna shout and never get tired, I’m gonna shout and never get tired one of these days…”. I don’t want to encourage drinking but a glass of red wine does wonders for the voice.
If you could curate your own festival, where would it be, who would be on the bill, how many people would you let in and what features would it have?
Where: Spirits Bay up the north of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Bands: The Mountain Goats, Jim O’Rourke, James Blake, Caribou, Paul Kelly, Bon Iver, French For Rabbits, Timothy Blackman, City Oh Sigh, Jeff Mills, Epsilon Blue, Notwist.
Audience Number: All Welcome.
Features: Roller Coaster, Flying Fox into the sea, Zero Waste, Lots of Lasers, Swings, Frisbees, etc…
When you’re Rolling Stones Big, what are you going to request on your rider: don’t be shy. We want specifics!
Nothing is better than a nice home-cooked meal enjoyed with the promoters or venue owners. This is pretty standard in Europe and puts you in the perfect space to pour your heart and soul into the show. Rock & Roll enough?
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?
I’m a huge fan of Paul Kelly and am still obsessed with his ‘Smoke’ album. I’m all about good songs.
What is your band’s music the best soundtrack for?
It’s the soundtrack to the future we forgot. Urbantramper still holds a hope for that future…
Where we can see you play next, what releases do you have available and where can we get them?
Our latest release is INTERNET FREEDOM IS LOVE.
Stream/Buy here: urbantramper.bandcamp.com/album/internet-freedom-is-love-2
Other albums here: urbantramper.bandcamp.com/
Australian Tour Dates:
June 14, Gasometer, Melbourne w/ Book of Ships + Sleep Decade + DJ Lotion
June 16, The Nash, Geelong w/ Sleep Decade + Leaks
June 19, Workers Club, Melbourne w/ These Patterns + DJ Lotion + Ainslie Wills
June 20, Front Gallery, Canberra w/ Readable Graffiti + Cracked Actor
June 22, Yours & Owls, Wollongong w/ The Kabinets + Moon Commander
June 23, Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle w/ Motherlode + The Duke of Erlington
June 27, FBi Social, Sydney w/ Telafonica + Colour Coding + The Rescue Ships
