Trinity gearing up for road trip 10
Trinity Roots like to take their listeners on a journey with their music. As they get set for a real journey with an extended lineup on this summer’s tour, Warren Maxwell takes time to answer 10 questions.
Describe your soundinone sentence.
I think the Trinity Roots sound is a hypnotic, honest, lyrically conscious, unpredictable kaleidoscope of the full sonic spectrum.
Whatonesongdoyoumost love to perform liveandwhy?
Personally I love playing Haiku. Musically it’s a really ballsy, punky rock, distorted cacophony that speaks to the stresses and concerns of our younger generations. I love it!
Whatdoyoulovemost about going outonthe road inthenz summer?
There’s a nostalgic “smell” about summerthat brings back memories of previous tours. Melting asphalt, freshmowedgrass, sea salt, spilled beer and chips . . . awesome!
Howhave the eventsand climate of2020changed thewayyouapproach your music?
Yeah a lot more contemplation for mearound social and cultural efficacy of songwriting and music dissemination. If music is food for the soul, what kind of “soul food” arewe producing? Msg-infused Macca’s . . . or a degustationmussel tiramisu with coffee ’n’ crayfish mousse?
Whatdoes success as a musicianmeanfor you?
Ooooh . . . finding a good healthy balance in life (Te Whare Tapawha). Hinengaro, tinana, wairua and wha¯nau— all good!
Whathasbeenthe best development inthemusic industry in the past few decades?
Geez— I think the best development in the Nzmusic industry has been the celebration and acknowledgement of Te Ao / te reoma¯ori in waiata. I mean Waiata / Anthems was huge! And the amount of streaming it received was incredible. ku mihi ki a koutou hei ha¯paitia te reo rangatira i tuku iho. Kamau te wehi!
What’sonething you’d change about the music industry ifyou could?
I would take away the visual distractions and let the music speak for itself. Myultimate gig is in complete darkness.
Ifyoucould only listen toone albumbyanother artist for the rest of your life, whatwouldit be?
Where I ammusically at themoment I would probably go with Midori Takada— Through the Looking Glass. Peaceful.
Ifyouwerecurating adream music festival, whowouldbe onthe bill, alive or dead?
Every indigenous culture on the planet! Jeff Buckley, John Coltrane, Odetta Holmes, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Jimi Hendrix, Bjork, Bob Marley, AC/DC (with Bon Scott), JJ Cale, Thomas Dybdahl, Gyoto Monks, Tinariwen . . .
Finally, is there anynewmusic from Trinity Rootsonthe horizon?
Ae engari, metatari koutou . . . :-)
■ Trinity Roots, with support from Tinyruins, perform atoakura on January 4, Coroglen on January 6 and Hawke’s Bay on January 7.