Q&A: KATCHAFIRE
Katchafire has been around for quite a while now. Looking back at your journey from the early days to where you are now, how has the band evolved musically and personally?
We are wiser, more well-rounded humans our experience in this industry over the years has allowed us to approach our mahi with a smarter not harder work ethic, which we believe aids in our longevity both personally and musically.
You’ve been one of the biggest names in the reggae scene to come out of New Zealand. How do you think the local/regional culture has influenced your music and sound?
We are all of Euro/Maori descent from different regions/tribes of Aotearoa! Our cultural heritage is a huge source of pride, all our children attend kura kaupapa schooling (Maori language). We understand how unique it is to have a strong connection to our culture and language, especially whilst overseas which has a natural flow-on affect in everything we do .
Reggae music has a strong tradition of social and political messages. How do you balance creating music that is both meaningful and accessible to a wide audience?
Something we dont think too much about – it’s a pretty organic process, we keep each other honest, and wouldn't allow wakness into the process
How would you describe the unique elements of Katchafire’s sound compared to other reggae bands from around the world?
Can you walk us through your creative process when writing and recording new music? Do you draw more from personal experiences or global/regional influences? There are three songwriters (brothers) who all take the lead when the band is working on their idea and contribute when it’s not. We draw inspiration from all of the above.
Which artists or genres (reggae or outside of reggae) do you draw the most inspiration from when creating new material?
That’s a fluid thing, ever-changing, depending on the vibe of what we are creating but we love groups that have great male singers. We gravitate to melody and harmony- The Eagles, Little River Band , The Bee Gees , Beach Boys, Queen, Steely Dan,The Wailers to name a few.
Is there a particular song or album in your discography that you feel represents the true essence of Katchafire’s sound?
Why?
‘Fyah In The Trenches’ from the album ‘Legacy’, and ‘Irie’ from the album ‘On The Road Again’ - if i had to pick a couple I think we really nailed the singing and musicianship on those two.
In your experience, how does a live performance influence the direction of your studio work? Do you ever take feedback from the crowd and incorporate it into new songs?
We have cover band beginnings, so everything we did, especially in the early days, was road-tested before we went into the studio. I think, if a band is playing a lot of live shows, it makes it easier to vibe things out in the studio - you have more of a sense what’s going to work.
Your songs often touch on themes of unity, peace, and love. What role do you think music plays in spreading positive messages, especially in times of global unrest?
Have a listen to our new tune ‘Commit’ - it is the message we would like people to take on board especially in the times of unrest.
Finally, what message do you hope listeners take away from Katchafire’s music, especially with the times we are living in now?
Love, understanding, and avoiding violence at all cost.