The Wake

The Wake: First off Liam, I would just like to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with us today.
Liam Finn: It’s my pleasure.

W: “I’ll Be Lightning” is the name of your record. “I’ll Be Touring” is the name of your tour. Has the tour
proved as successful as the record?
F: “It’s been really great for us, we’re having an absolute ball and the shows have been really well attended, so yeah, I guess our goal was just to make sure we had a good time. We’ve been doing a lot of van touring this year and all of the really long drives get to be difficult. Finally, on this tour we’re sharing a bus with The Veils and it feels like a real achievement.”

W: What has been your favorite stop on the tour thus far?
F: “We had a really good time in Santa Fe, [New Mexico]. The show itself was probably the least attended so far, but we went out afterwards and we had a really fun night. It was a cool place.”

W: One of the most apparent elements of your record is sincerity, both musically and lyrically. Is this reflective of your personality?
F: “I’d like to think so. It’s definitely something I hold very important with music and performing, so yeah I guess that’s just a reflection of who I am.”

W: We’re pretty big fans of Kiwi music, as well as New Zealand itself. I guess you could say we’re New Zealand-o-philes? We’d love for you to share your opinions or tell any personal stories you may have involving the six artists from your home county being featured in this issue:
F: I’ve known the Brunettes for years. I used to live down the road from the Lil’ Chief [Records]headquarters. The New Zealand music scene is obviously pretty small, so when you’re from Auckland and you’re interested in those type of things, by nature it’s just a great community of creative people. The Brunettes have definitely been at the forefront of that for years and years and years.”

W: It sounds like a cool scene. I’ve never been to New Zealand, but it seems a lot like Minneapolis - a very small collective that’s forced to be independent…and that’s just how it is.
F: Totally. It definitely feels like it’s easier to experiment more and it seems like people are more creative with what they do because it’s so isolated.

W: What are your thoughts on the future of the New Zealand music scene?
F: Hopefully the eyes of the world will start looking to New Zealand a bit more and more bands will start getting the recognition they deserve. I don’t think there’s ever been a shortage of great New Zealand music. It’s just a chance and luck thing where you get a bit of a break. Maybe there might be a time when people start realizing there’s a lot of amazing stuff being made there - kind of like what happened in Seattle. If everyone starts looking towards New Zealand, I think we can handle it. We have a lot of great bands. You never know, it might be always one of those countries that only the hardcore music fans find out about because it’s so isolated, but maybe it’s good like that. Maybe that’s what keeps New Zealand unique and our music unique - is the isolation. You get really good and hone your craft and when you make the effort to leave, you get to make your impressions on the rest of the world.”

W: Musicians, just as any other artists, draw a lot of their inspiration from their own day-to-day experiences. Have there been any defining moments in your life, lately, that will likely affect your next record?
F: I think the last couple years of touring for this record and all the experience it has brought along with the way we do the live show quite differently will play a big part in what makes the next record.

W: Your lovely flat in The Shire is burning down. Quick, what three things will you save?
F: [Laughs] Well definitely my guitar, my fish tank, all my fish, and my… bow and arrow.

W: Are you an archer?
F: No, but I have a really cool old American Indian bow and arrow that I love.

W: Is there any comfort on the road that you can’t live without?
F: I’ve got my tour manager Sam, who is my oldest friend in the world. I’ve known him since I was four years old. Just having him around makes me a lot calmer person.

W: Rolling Stone described you formulaically as Elliot Smith-Despair + A Leprechaun. Rebuttal?
F: I love Elliot Smith, but part of what I love about Elliot Smith, what makes him Elliot Smith, is his despair. So I guess I just kind of feel like I’m Elliot Smith minus my favorite part.

W: What about that bit about being a Leprechaun?
F: You know, it’s just an easy cheap shot. I’ve got Irish blood, I’m hairy, I’m small…and I’m magical.

W: Any last things you’d like me to pass on to your adoring masses?
F: You know…come check it out. It will be fun. Every show is completely different. It’s very spontaneous and informal in some ways but kind of mad and wild in other ways.

W: Again, thank you so much for speaking with me. I look forward to seeing your show when you come to Minneapolis.
F: Cheers, man! Thanks very much.