Some members of Silk Cut are a lifetime into a busy career in music, but not necessarily beyond their separate projects and employers. Mid-winter 2024 the band released their self-titled second album, including recent indie pop single Turning The Whole World On which featured on NZ On Air Music‘s NewTracks compilation this September.

What are your names, where are you from and what instruments do you each play?

• Aidan Phillips – Bass, BV
• Jayden Lee – Drums
• Andrew Thorne  – Guitars, vocals
• Justin McLean  – Guitars, vocals

Was any high school or other music training especially important to you?

Both Justin and I [Andrew] completed the SAE Diploma In Music Production which has helped in crafting our sound.

Any other projects that we might we know you from?

Aidan was in The Bads. Justin is also in The Roulettes and Another Life. He also was in the first line-up of Andrew Brough‘s Bike. Jayden plays for NZ’s most successful cover band, Hands Off. Andrew has played guitar for Bic Runga, Dave Dobbyn, Tim Finn, Jan Hellriegel, Carly Binding and Greg Fleming as well as his own projects Splitter and Calico Brothers.

What’s the background story of how Silk Cut came to be? 

Aidan and I worked on some tunes over the internet, in the time that shall not be mentioned, when we couldn’t leave the house. When we escaped, we recorded them at The Lab, then the opportunity to support The Hoodoo Gurus popped up so we thought we’d better put a band together. The rest is… happening.

How has your writing evolved from your beginnings in songwriting to now?

What once was banging things out on an acoustic guitar, taking it to a band and spending hours working things out in a tinnitus-inducing room is now getting things into shape by working in Logic or ProTools and swapping files, then working up pretty sophisticated demos, so the pre-production is done that way.

The initial seed of an idea still comes from a phrase or a riff worked out on a guitar or keyboard in the time-honoured fashion though.

How and when did you come up with the name for the new project ?

We were all cigarette smokers at one stage. Silk Cut is a brand from the ’80s and has the vintage English vibe we hope translates to what we’re doing musically.

Aside from this release, what’s been the big highlight to date? 

We had a great time supporting Happy Mondays last year at Powerstation. They were a lot of fun and sounded great.

What makes Turning The Whole World On stand out for you as a single?

I love a good jangle and this has layers of 12-string acoustic and electric guitars, stacked harmonies and a catchy chorus. The version on the New Tracks compilation is an edited 3:40 version of the 4 minute album track.

What is the story behind Turning The Whole World On?

It’s a sunny breezy melody but touches on depression, contemplating taking the ultimate step and the ridiculous thought of how you might be remembered. Dark material wrapped in candy.

What’s your favourite moment, musical or lyrical, of the single?

My beautiful daughter Tessa sings backing vocals on the song. She has the voice of an angel. I also like the way the chorus turns around on itself making the last word also the first word and there’s a couple of naughty chords in there to spice things up.

Who did you record the single with and where? 

I wrote the song on an acoustic 12-string, strumming away trying to summon the ghost of Tom Petty. We recorded it at The Lab with myself producing. Keyboard player extraordinaire Mark Steven put down some beautiful Hammond B3 through a 1960’s Leslie cabinet on the track as final fairy dust.

What would you like listeners to take away from the song?

A strong melody you can sing along to. Some great playing by the band and a pop song that isn’t all fluff.

How do you generally work out what song would make a good single?

It’s a consensus in the band. A catchy chorus and being under 4 minutes certainly helps too.

Who else is in your team? 

We’re a cottage industry (although none of us has ever been cottaging) and do most things ourselves. We do have the good fortune of having Plus1 as our booking agent. They’ve been instrumental in helping us with live shows and advice.

Are there any other musical endeavours you’re working on that we should keep an eye out for? 

We’re building a live profile and each gig seems to get better, louder and more attended, so we’re certainly heading in the right direction. We’ve become a great little combo. Tight but loose.

Can you please name three other local tunes that would fit well on a playlist alongside your song. 

• Haiku Redo : Thinking of You
  
• Celine : Disappear
  
• Ocean Beach : Cigarettes and Champagne

Have any previous NZOA applications not gained funding or been included on NewTracks? Got any advice for others out there?

Certainly we haven’t been successful with every application. If at first you don’t succeed . . . try something else.

Are there any musical blogs, Youtube channels or podcasts you’re super into?

I usually enjoy the Rockonteurs with Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt podcast and Rick Beato on YouTube. The Critical Drinker is also a fun listen as he excoriates most modern movies and TV shows.

Any last words?

Have fun. Turn it up. Don’t use guitar amp modellers. Sing ’til you’re a Shetland pony.