Feature: The Phoenix Foundation - Ever Brighter Shades of Grey

What we are witnessing is the international coming of age of a new Wellington sound, look, sense of humour and style; one refreshingly free of roots music influences and generic naturalistic South Pacific visual motifs.
"I had a cheesy thought over in New York, well more a cheesy moment," confides Phoenix Foundation original Luke Buda. "I know there probably won't ever be enough of us to really make a permanent impact, but seeing all the Flight of the Conchords' and 'Eagle vs Shark' posters everywhere made me realise we could probably at least be a fad, for a few years if nothing else, in America".

For those who need to get familiar, The Phoenix Foundation are Wellington's finest experimental indie pop/rock export, influential among any number of successful fellow Kiwi acts. 

Formed in 1997 at Wellington High School by Conrad Wedde, Samuel Flynn Scott and Luke Buda (a mix 'n' match of guitar, vocals, and keys), they were joined in 2001 by Richie Singleton on drums and Will Ricketts on percussion and finally, bassist (and women's netball fan), Warner Emery.

Since inception the group have released an EP, two critically acclaimed full length albums (2003's 'Horsepower' and 'Pegasus' released in 2005, the second reaching gold sales status locally). They have extensively toured their fantastic live show across NZ, Australia, a bit of Europe and an ever-growing slice of their favourite American pie.

Flynn Scott and Buda who share vocals and guitar duties released solo albums in 2006, respectively titled 'The Hunt Brings Us Life' and 'Special Surprise', each highly regarded. Flynn Scott was also a lead member of the exceptionally popular Fly My Pretties collective.

Fusing together a diverse range of influences in regard to playing, recording and production, Phoenix Foundation consistently come up with a refreshingly quirky take on the indie pop sound. While often rock-themed, they have delved into decidedly electronic territory at times, utilising a dazzling array of synthesiser parts, bits and pieces of MPC-based sample production and even the odd horn or string section. The result is a spaced out sound which even I will happily cosign for.

In early October The Phoenix Foundation launched their third studio album 'Happy Ending' on Flying Nun (Warner Music NZ). This much anticipated release, (as well as their recent signing to Young American Recordings of New York), coupled with the group's work on the soundtrack and scoring of Taika Waititi's acclaimed film 'Eagle vs Shark', led me to the cosy surroundings of the Southern Cross Tavern in Wellington, hoping to get the 018 from Luke Buda and Warner Emery. I got more than just the 018. I first got abuse for drinking cranberry juice and later learned about abstract music producer Scott Walker's technique of recording people punching slabs of meat, using the noise as a kick drum.