Amplifier

04.08.09 

Multi-instrumentalist/producer Riki Gooch is the man behind Eru Dangerspiel takes some time out to answer some questions for Amplifier. 

Riki what other acts have you been and are you still involved with? 

Since the split of TrinityRoots I have been fortunate enough to have toured/recorded with the likes of Bic Runga, Neil Finn, Fat Freddy's Drop, Recloose to name a few. I'm currently playing drums with local Wellie legends, The Spines and working on various experimental projects. Mostly studio experiments.
 

Why the name Eru Dangerspiel? 

The name Eru is a homage to a very dear friend who has passed on from us. He was a brilliant musician and we never got to really play together so I have kept his name to remind me of him and to also remind myself how lucky I am to be able to make music. 

The Dangerspiel came from a dream i had after a night on the fungus. 

Tell us something about the album - where was it recorded and with whom? 

The album was a bit of a gypsy in its creation. It was started in a walk-in wardrobe in my sea side batch on the south coast of Wellington. Then my beautiful daughter came into my life and we moved to Wanaka, where I did a bulk of the work. 

During that time I also relocated the studio to Auckland as i was working on the Crowded House record. Once I had managed to get everything into the can, I sent the album to Andy Morton (Submariner) to mix and give it the once over. During the 2 year period I had Chip Matthews, Laughton Kora, Parks, Anna Coddington, Ned Ngatae and Issac Aesili all come into record vocals and rhythm parts. 

You were recently awarded the 2009 Qantas Film and TV Award for Best Music In A Documentary for The Big Picture. How did you get into creating music for film? 

Well during the time of the album I was very lucky to have met my good friend Dave Whitehead - who is an absolute wizard in the studio. We first worked on a short film called Tama Tu, then we did a Colin McCahon doco. Because of Daves generosity and guidance, I felt confident enough to head off on my own and compose a series of parts for the doco with Dave and composer Christian Biegai. 

You have a special show lined up for August the 8th - Just what can people expect from a live Eru Dangerspiel show?  

I guess people can expect the grittiness of funk and blues. We are a rollicking big funk band really. Loose in its application but not in its approach. Lots of hollering, cowbells, wanging bass lines. Weirdness... but mostly fun. 

Does having so many on stage at any given time limit your live options (as in venues)? 

No I think it opens us up to great venues because of the size. When you do something on a larger scale, you tend to attract the right spaces. 

You're filming this show - does that mean there are plans to release it later? 

Yes!!.. that's the plan.. Watch this space.
 

You've performed with a variety of bands and musicians what is your dream line-up to play with?
 

I'm playing with my dream line up now. All the cats in the band are outstanding 1/people 2/ musicians. I feel very lucky to share the stage with them. 

What NZ band would you love to see play live more than any other?  

Tonse Raymond 

What are you working on currently? 

I'm working on an album with Julien Dyne. We plan to release it on cassette only and a whole bunch of new Dangerspiel joints, the new Spines record, working on a beat tape as Mingus Bohannon, a 12" doing old dirty covers as a brass band...but today I'm writing choir parts for the Aug 8th show. 

Are there plans for a follow up to Great News For The Modern Man? 

Yes there are definite plans.. I plan to have the next album out this xmas.. ho ho ho

Cheers Riki.

Eru Dangerspiel's debut long player Great News For The Modern Man is out now and Riki and band perform at Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall Saturday 8 August.

We have a double pass and copy of Great News For The Modern Man to giveaway - you can enter the competitin here. Competition closes Aug 5th.