Katchafire Irie Interview

Katchafire Irie Interview

Katchafire, one of the hardest working and most respected collectives to come out of New Zealand, have evolved into a formidable force on the international music scene.

Off the back of the release of their platinum selling, fourth studio album On The Road Again, a nonstop 2012 has seen the legendary Aotearoa roots rockers smash a mammoth 25 date headline tour of the USA and Hawaii selling out iconic venues such as House Of Blues and The Mezzanine, a headline tour of Brazil (with a documentary in the making) while over in the UK the band have been nominated for Best International Band at the British Reggae Music Awards.

They will return to the USA over summer to play the prestigious Sierra Nevada World music festival, before landing in Australia late August for a month long national tour including headlining the 10th Anniversary of the Cairns Reggaetown Festival.

The eight-piece band, that hosts five extraordinary singer songwriters, deliver one of the most authentic reggae shows around today. Their world famous, distinctly NZ sound, is backed by a blistering live show packed with hits. With Breathtaking vocal harmonies and a magnetic on stage presence the momentum just continues to build, and has lead to multiple platinum records, prestigious awards and critical acclaim.

Visit YouTube to see Katchafire's new single 'Irie'.

Katchafire will blaze into Australian spring with their iconic reggae sound, lighting the way out of the winter chill with a national tour this August / September.

Australian Tour Dates
Friday 31st August: HIFI, Brisbane: with special guest Paua. Doors open 7:30pm
Saturday 1st September: Reggaetown Festival, Cairns, QLD
Sunday 2nd September: The Venue, Townsville. Doors open 5pm
Wednesday 5th September: Mackay Entertainment Centre, Mackay, QLD. Doors open 7:30pm
Thursday 6th September: Kings Beach Tavern, Caloundra, QLD. With special guests One Dread. Doors open 8pm.
Friday 7th September: RSL Southport, QLD. With special guests One Dread. Doors open 7:30pm
Saturday 8th September: The Hoey Moey, Coffs Harbour, NSW. With special guests Ebb n Flo. Doors open 8.30pm
Sunday 9th September: Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay, NSW. With Raz bin Sam & The Lion I band. Doors open 8.30pm
Thursday 13th September: The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide. Doors open 7.30pm
Friday 14th September: The Astor Theatre, Perth, WA. With special guests Jah Moko. Doors open 7:30pm
Saturday 15th September: Settlers Tavern, Margaret River. Doors open 9pm
Sunday 16th September: Prince Of Wales Hotel, Bunbury WA. Doors 5pm
Thursday 20th September: Ferntree Gully Hotel, VIC. Doors open 7:30pm
Friday 21st September: The Forum, Melbourne. Doors open 7.30pm
Saturday 22nd September: The Enmore Theatre, Sydney. With special guests V Tribe and DJ Tickelz.Doors open 7:30pm
Sunday 23rd September: Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle, NSW. With V Tribe. Doors open 7:30pm.
Tickets: www.katchafire.co.nz

Interview with Logan Bell

Question: How would you describe Irie?

Logan Bell: Irie is one of my favourite songs on the new album because it was an impromptu jam that we did when we had some free time in the studio, one morning. I had the cords and the melody for Irie in my head and it came together really nicely. We don't very often write in the studio on the fly because we already have our material fit and ready before but this was a nice change.


Question: Why is the album titled On The Road Again?

Logan Bell: In hindsight the album has a very strong feel because the tracks where literally written on the road when we were missing home and longing for our families and you can hear a lot of that. When we were releasing the album we were thinking of a theme and a lot of the tracks and lyrics are speaking about loved ones and being at home in your comfortable place.


Question: What are you looking forward to most about coming to Australia, for the tour?

Logan Bell: Can't wait to hit a few Australian nightclubs and bars (laughs). The boys are really excited to be heading back to Australia because we always have a good time there because the crowds are a special mix of Australians and Kiwis and when we get together and unite we are pretty unstoppable. Australian crowds always have a good vibe with an electric atmosphere.


Question: You're described as "the hardest working and most respected collectives". What's a typical day like, for you?

Logan Bell: My friends are always saying how lucky I am able to see all these wonderful places and travel around the world but a typical day is probably waking up early to catch an early flight and getting to the accommodation (too early to check in) and then heading straight to the venue for soundcheck, dinner and then a small rest before heading back for the show. We don't have a lot of time for sightseeing. We're always looking out the van window longing to get amongst some of it. We have been described as the hardest working band that wasn't self-proclaimed at all.


Question: What inspires you, when writing?

Logan Bell: A lot of things! I draw inspiration from reading about history and different chiefs and warriors and their battles. Hanging out with my family and loved ones at home in my element is always a great source of creative inspiration.


Question: What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?

Logan Bell: Anything with soul! In the van we've been listening to the soul singer Alex Stone a lot lately.


Question: Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?

Logan Bell: I've never really thought about walking away. Before I was singing in this band I was a live sound operator and I went into the whole production side of things including lighting. If I wasn't in a band I'd be doing some form of musical job.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Logan Bell: Ooohhh! I would have to say recording because I don't get to do it as much as performing live.


Question: What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Logan Bell: From a young age I was drawn to music and my Dad was in a band when I was really young, when I got to the age of 8 Mum told Dad that he had to get a real job and there was no more band practice or playing with instruments. It wasn't until I was about 13 that I picked up the guitar and I haven't looked back since… I couldn't imagine living without music in my life.


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Logan Bell: One of the biggest challenges for bands is staying together especially for a big band like us because we have many different characters in the band and it's easy to have conflicts. We've been able to operate as a family unit and pick a brother up when he needs help and let him know your mind when he needs to hear it which has been the secret weapon to our success.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Logan Bell: Meeting new people and being able to travel because we've had so many awesome experiences and every now and then I have to pinch myself because I have the best job in the world.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Logan Bell: Stevie Wonder and Damian Marley; oh man the list goes on…


Question: Do you have a website fans can visit?

Logan Bell: www.katchafire.co.nz




Question: What is the story behind the band's name?

Logan Bell: In the early days when Katchafire came together we were a reggae tribute band and we were playing nightclubs and bars in our home town and it was a hit straight of the bat and the manager of the band said we needed to get a name. We were brainstorming and no one was really feeling the names so we put names in a hat and Katchafire was the third name we pulled out that most of us could all agree on.