You’re about to read this interview right now because you’re either already a fan of Heymoonshaker and want to know more about this amazing duo or you simply like to explore the world for new music and like discovering the latest big thing. Thank you for checking out our interview with Heymoonshaker
Thanks guys for your time. I know you’re busy preparing for your 2014 tour and I’m happy you’ve taken this opportunity to answer some questions for our readers. Now about that tour, you’re about to begin touring Canada, the US and Mexico. What are you most excited about for this tour and is it the first time for you to visit these countries?
To be continually excited and shown new things. That’s why I and Andy move so much, continuous exploration. Dohnuts, burgers, bourbon yello cabs… brilliant! Oh yeah and tacos!
Going back in Heymoonshaker history, which one of you saw the other perform first when you were street performers in New Zealand? What were your immediate thoughts?
(Dave) Actually we met on a crazy golf course. Then he invited me to his van, he played a song and I played half way through. He looked up at me all starry eyed and it was the beginning. My thoughts on Andy honestly to start was, that voice will be perfect in a few years. And how right I was.
And Andy, what were your thoughts when you first saw Crowe perform?
When I first met Crowe I thought I was about to get punched, what with his shaved head and loud mouth. Turned out he was a puppy dog. Same thing happened with our mate Chris in Canada. I’d met him prior to Crowe, and he had given me directions. So when he told us we were going the wrong way, Crowe sparked up his charismatic charm, it took them a few minutes of sniffing at each other before the friendship was formed, aha.
You’ve come a long way since New Zealand in 2009? Your popularity now has you traveling to many cities and countries. Is there one place where you call home whenever you get a rare opportunity to relax?
(Crowe) We have no home so Mum’s place is always home to me; where no matter who you are in the world your just Mums little darling. The ego doesn’t stand a chance.
You’ve done a lot of festivals and tour quite frequently, but what about radio? Where do your songs receive the most radio airplay? And which song specifically is the most widely played?
‘Ten Letter Word’ is the most spun on radio and I guess France and Germany are where we are played most. They fucking love it.
You have had over 20 million views on your YouTube channel. What do you attribute to your success in having that many people watch your videos?
I think it all comes down to two factors: The underdog factor and balls. The world unanimously loves an underdog and we’re the biggest underdogs there are. Beatbox blues, man that’s hard work to push.
About the Colly Drop video. Maybe I’ve lived a very sheltered life, but I have to say that’s about most intense music video I’ve ever seen. I think the simplicity has something to do with that. Can you tell us about the creative force behind the video and about the actual video shoot?
The Creative force was a film company from Nancy in France. Some very close friends of ours who collectively go under the name HOLDEN. The concept was pitched and really captured us with the metaphor portrayed with its symbolic oil and all.
Andy, you’ve been influenced by Muddy Waters and Led Zeppelin, are there any other more current artists who have also been a big influence on your sound?
Well! I have to really credit Ali Farke Toure for my recent guitar influence. He’s a Mali blues musician. Also,,,, errr check out the HOT SPOT sound track, Bank robbery is a killer tune, oh so, rite now I’m in a bar in Brooklyn and The Clash are playing, which really reminds me of working in the local skate shop back home where my manager at the time Alex Winstanley (who now flaunts around in the media side of the skate industry)… anyway, he played so much music to me which really shaped my knowledge and passion for music; it was a plethora of PUNK, 2 Step, and Rockabilly. Kind of like Brian Setzer rolling a joint for Horris Andy, I cant explain, but yes, Music.
Dave, were the first people to beatbox really Doug E. Fresh and The Human Beat Box from the rap group The Fat Boys? Were there others before them such as the artists like Louis Armstrong who employed scat signing?
From my own research both are wrong. It was first on record as being used 2000 years ago in china to accentuate the stories they would tell using fire and shadows. But for me it must have been even earlier. It’s the first instrument known to man. They must have played around with it before the wheel or even fire surely. Boom boom ka.
Where did you first beatbox and who was your first influence?
At the bus stop outside my Mums house before college. And because the night before we had seen A-plus. No longer a beatboxer as far as I knew. But he blew my mind. After that I never stopped. It changed my life, quit school, and went on the road. And been here ever since.
What would each of you be doing today if a magic wand was waved and you couldn’t perform music any longer?
(Andy) Travelling, Drinking coffee, and listening to people.
(Crowe) Driving a massive crane on top of sky scrapers, getting high and watching movies. And practicing magic. And learning to bake. And talk, fuck me, would I talk.
Sometimes parents get a lot of blame by people when things go wrong. Conversely, would you say your upbringing has helped you get to where you are today? Were you families encouraging in your creative endeavors?
(Andy) Yes I’d definitely say so, although the road I chose may be slightly different to what was expected. My parents have supported me throughout, apart from the limbo points when I had to convince them it’s a good idea.
(Crowe) My folks were the best. They always let me run and find out stuff on my own, sometimes my dad would say ‘but if you do that, you’ll die’ in some respects he had a point but they have always backed me up. As long as it was morally a sound endeavour. If not hell broke loose. Love you mum, dad.
In your great interview in Made in Shoreditch magazine, you (Crowe) mentioned when asked about your inspiration, that “people can do whatever they desire…” Could you elaborate on that concept? Basically, I wonder if that is an absolute? Can and should people do everything they desire or are there simply natural and logical limits to desires? Seriously,what if David Cameron did everything he desired? How bad would things be in England? I like to play devil’s advocate sometimes : )
Our desires are limited to our knowledge, So all people’s desires that are organic and from a good place are accessible but we are held back by our own creations. We just need to remind ourselves that this world and life and society are just a distraction, and a beautiful distraction at that. But we get lost! The words ‘do what you want’ or ‘do what you desire’ are reminders, this is all you have. One life, no second chances. Fill those gaping holes inside. But search for the best filler there is. Please. Do whatever the fuck you want. Now
Speaking of Shoreditch, are there other musicians (outside your genre) from the area our readers should be aware of?
Freddy Beats, Lewis Floyd Henry, and John Fairhurst, and Joe Driscoll and Sekou Kouyate
Andy and Dave, thank you so much for your time. Where should our readers go to learn more about Heymoonshaker?
www.heymoonshaker.co.uk or face boooook, or youtube. The dark side of the moon has some vintage HMS tunes. Check it out.
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today if you haven’t done so yet..
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