Nick Gaffaney :Drums/Vocals/Bass/Loops
Aaron Tokona : Guitars/Vocals
Been around since?
Cairo Knife Fight formed in 2007. I’d be playing with some of the guys in other versions of the band since 2004 off and on. Groups which never really gelled until CKF developed.
Current line up?
Good time to ask that question. In the last few weeks we’ve changed from a 6 piece band to a duo featuring myself and Aaron Tokona. I’m playing drums with my right hand, keyboard bass with my left and utilizing a loop station to loop up drums and bass separately or together, whatever direction we decide to go at the time.
Where are you based?
Christchurch at the moment, I spend a great deal of time on the road working with other artists, probably abut half the year.
Musical history?
Aaron’s probably still best known for fronting Wellington band Weta. He also has his own solo project called A Hori Buzz. I’m a freelance drummer for whose worked for people such as Anika Moa,Lydia Cole, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Pitch Black, Dimmer and Hollie Smith as well as being a member of Goldenhorse.
Aaron and I met at a jam at Good Luck bar in Wellington in 03 I think. When I moved back to Christchurch in 04 we gravitated towards each other and the music grew from there.
How would you describe your sound?
Rock with beats and bass. The music is as important as the melody and lyrics, the sound is the key.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Avishai Cohen. He’s an Israeli bass player who lives in NYC. Rediscovering my Jazz heart.
What were you listing to in High School?
Led Zeppelin (huge John Bonham fan), The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, Michael Jackson, most things I could get my hands on. I was a studious learner.
What is your writing/recording process?
I have a spot in my house that I write all my songs in. It looks out of a window onto a small courtyard. Feels like I’m in a medieval Tuscan home. I write mostly on Acoustic guitar with the rest of the music forming in my head as I go. I search for a sound that excites me and hope to translate that to the band set up, whatever that is. I write for the people I work with, the strengths they bring to the music.
Your Dream Collaboration?
To be honest I don’t have one, most of the great stuff I’ve been able to do has come out of the blue often with people I hadn’t heard of previously. On the opposite, I’ve done things I thought would be great when I heard about them but they turned out to be a bit flat. Options open.
Tell us about your new album…
The album is called ‘Iron’. It was recorded over two years at Roundhead and Clevetown Studios in Auckland and Christchurch. Neil Baldock and Steve Fowler recorded it and Neil mixed it at Roundhead. Long process but financially it was the only option! I wouldn’t recommend taking that long!
Of all the instruments you own, or have owned, what is your favourite?
My 60 something year old 22” Zildjian K ride cymbal. Dark and ferocious!
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learnt musically in the last year?
That using two hands to play drums is just greedy, not to mention decidedly self aggrandizing!
What has been your favourite show to date?
Our last how, the last one that had the full band. The Bedford in Christchurch in June. Such a big sound and we were able to stretch out the songs to new places.
If you could share the stage with anyone (band or person) who would it be?
Tom Waits or Radiohead
The future holds…?
Everything one could imagine and more, hopefully mostly surprises.
The state of music in NZ is….
None of my business really! I try not to dwell too much on the pros and cons of the issue. I endeavor to stay focused on my own path.
Aaron Tokona : Guitars/Vocals
Been around since?
Cairo Knife Fight formed in 2007. I’d be playing with some of the guys in other versions of the band since 2004 off and on. Groups which never really gelled until CKF developed.
Current line up?
Good time to ask that question. In the last few weeks we’ve changed from a 6 piece band to a duo featuring myself and Aaron Tokona. I’m playing drums with my right hand, keyboard bass with my left and utilizing a loop station to loop up drums and bass separately or together, whatever direction we decide to go at the time.
Where are you based?
Christchurch at the moment, I spend a great deal of time on the road working with other artists, probably abut half the year.
Musical history?
Aaron’s probably still best known for fronting Wellington band Weta. He also has his own solo project called A Hori Buzz. I’m a freelance drummer for whose worked for people such as Anika Moa,Lydia Cole, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Pitch Black, Dimmer and Hollie Smith as well as being a member of Goldenhorse.
Aaron and I met at a jam at Good Luck bar in Wellington in 03 I think. When I moved back to Christchurch in 04 we gravitated towards each other and the music grew from there.
How would you describe your sound?
Rock with beats and bass. The music is as important as the melody and lyrics, the sound is the key.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Avishai Cohen. He’s an Israeli bass player who lives in NYC. Rediscovering my Jazz heart.
What were you listing to in High School?
Led Zeppelin (huge John Bonham fan), The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, Michael Jackson, most things I could get my hands on. I was a studious learner.
What is your writing/recording process?
I have a spot in my house that I write all my songs in. It looks out of a window onto a small courtyard. Feels like I’m in a medieval Tuscan home. I write mostly on Acoustic guitar with the rest of the music forming in my head as I go. I search for a sound that excites me and hope to translate that to the band set up, whatever that is. I write for the people I work with, the strengths they bring to the music.
Your Dream Collaboration?
To be honest I don’t have one, most of the great stuff I’ve been able to do has come out of the blue often with people I hadn’t heard of previously. On the opposite, I’ve done things I thought would be great when I heard about them but they turned out to be a bit flat. Options open.
Tell us about your new album…
The album is called ‘Iron’. It was recorded over two years at Roundhead and Clevetown Studios in Auckland and Christchurch. Neil Baldock and Steve Fowler recorded it and Neil mixed it at Roundhead. Long process but financially it was the only option! I wouldn’t recommend taking that long!
Of all the instruments you own, or have owned, what is your favourite?
My 60 something year old 22” Zildjian K ride cymbal. Dark and ferocious!
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learnt musically in the last year?
That using two hands to play drums is just greedy, not to mention decidedly self aggrandizing!
What has been your favourite show to date?
Our last how, the last one that had the full band. The Bedford in Christchurch in June. Such a big sound and we were able to stretch out the songs to new places.
If you could share the stage with anyone (band or person) who would it be?
Tom Waits or Radiohead
The future holds…?
Everything one could imagine and more, hopefully mostly surprises.
The state of music in NZ is….
None of my business really! I try not to dwell too much on the pros and cons of the issue. I endeavor to stay focused on my own path.
Rock Alternative rock Australian