Drax Project: Justin Timberlake is to Blame

New Zealand-based quartet, Drax Project have been gaining traction globally with their rhythmic cuts and melodic beats that have seen them go 35x Platinum and garner support slots with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Lorde and Camila Cabello. 

Having released their third project, 'Live At The Jazz Cafe, London', Drax Project are embarking on their first ever UK tour in May this year.

As part of Music Is To Blame's What's To Blame? interview series, the band discuss their origins, meeting Andy Serkis and walking the red carpet with Sir Peter Jackson.

Introduce yourself and where you’re from. 

We’re Drax Project. Four mates from New Zealand who met in Wellington, New Zealand at Music School, Matt (Drums), Sam (Bass), Shaan (Vocals + Sax) and Ben (Guitar).

 

What have you got coming up that you’re most excited for?

Coming back to the UK + Ireland in May!! We played our first tour over there last year and had the best time. This year we’re doing bigger shows and more of them! We loved playing London July last year so much that we released an Album from the ‘Jazz Cafe’ shows in November.

 

Talk to us about your band name - who’s to blame for its inception?

We started as a busking duo (drums + sax) on the streets of Wellington. Studying Jazz during the day and playing pop covers at night. People would walk past and ask what we were called so they could upload their videos to Youtube and we couldn’t answer them. One night on messenger we came up with Drax (drums + sax) and added the ‘Project’ afterwards for no real reason. Somehow it stuck to this day! It’s cool because it’s a reminder of the beginning for us.

 

What would you say is to blame for your music career? 

The four of us were on our own musical journeys until we met at Music School (Uni). We all took music lessons individually as youngsters through our schooling and have been surrounded by music in our own ways. We each fell in love with music early on and it feels like we were on a crash course to find each other and create this band! It’s pretty crazy that we grew up in different areas of NZ and ended up in Wellington at the same time and same age. 

 

Who are the biggest musical inspirations for the sound you’ve curated?

We each bring our own tastes to the table but to sum it up as a group - Justin Timberlake, D’angelo, Calvin Harris, The 1975 and Ariana Grande would be some names? There’s actually so many.

 

You've recently been involved in the Lord Of The Rings Animated movie - how did that come about?
Two of the writers (Arty Papageorgiou and Phoebe Gittins) are good friends of ours and actually directed a couple of our music videos. Great people. Anyway, they were working on the movie and were wanting a song to be played/performed during the credits and reached out to us. It’s called ‘Hama’s Song - Hearth Edit’ and features Ben on the guitar and vocals with Matt on percussion. Next minute they asked Matt if he was interested in recording some dialogue for the movie and he couldn’t say yes quick enough. We were invited to the NZ Premiere and Red Carpet in Hobbiton which was mind-blowing. We also played a 30 minute set which was our first time headlining the Shire. Met Andy Serkis (Gollum) and he’s now a fan. Crazy stuff

 

What was it like being involved in such a huge and generation-defining franchise?

It was eye-opening seeing the calibre of people working on their craft. It’s pure excellence everywhere. The recording studios were immaculate and the people were incredibly warm and inviting. Also just being massive LOTR fans made it extra special. Walking the Red Carpet with Sir Peter Jackson. Like, come on.

 

You've got your tour coming up - what venues are your most looking forward to playing?

Super keen to see what the Islington Assembly Hall is about! Last year we played 3 London Shows that sold out so we’re pumped to go to a bigger venue this time. The energy will be up there. We’re also heading to some new places which is exciting. What’s Manchester like? Dublin? Let’s see. 

 

Are there any acts local to you that should be on our radar?

Wet Denim are another Wellington Band which we’re big fans of. 33Below is a DJ/Producer who is killing it right now too! Frankie Venter will blow up. Heaps happening in NZ. Always.

Sum up your sound in three words. 

Melodious Groove Pop.

Lana Williams

@_lanaajade

Image: Ashlea Caygill

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