brief snapshot
Formed in Auckland New Zealand in 1996, eight have taken their time, crafting songs which capture varied moods from rock radio hits to brooding melodic soundscapes.
Once described as 'soundtracks for life' eight's music is powerfully affecting, infused with both an enveloping intensity and a spacious calm.
eight released their debut album 'Moving' in March 2004 through BMG records and have independently released three singles in NZ since 2001.
not so brief snapshot
eight was formed in Paul's parents kitchen in 1996. Originally four members, eight spent the first year writing and hanging out, with a handful of local shows thrown in to reinforce the premise that they were actually a band that might one day be heard outside the garage. There was no rush. All of the members had been in various bands and were determined to take their time to find the kind of music they wanted to create.
Bands generally write about what's important to them and for eight, their spirituality helps inform and infuse the music they create. With that in mind, a low profile start gave the band an opportunity to figure out how best to make music which is both true to themselves and relevant to the world around them, and which can hold it's own in a marketplace where the reasons for appreciating any band's music are as diverse as the people themselves.
The 'navel gazing' years were not without adventure however. In 1998 eight embarked on a four month tour of Europe and Asia, traveling through Germany, Poland, England, India, and Singapore. In 1999 they independently released their demo cd 'build' eventually selling out throughout NZ and Singapore.
After a few changes, eight solidified their current five piece line up, and a 'new recording artist' grant from NZ on Air saw the radio release of their first single 'whale' in December 2001. Whale was recorded at Kare Kare in NZ by award winning producer/engineer Malcolm Welsford. Both the single and it's video received significant airplay through television and radio, and the band's debut release achieved it's purpose of finally introducing eight to the NZ music scene.
Since then eight has released three further singles and performed extensively including The Big Day Out, and in support of international acts Incubus and Creed. In mid 2003, armed with a further $50,000 recording grant from NZ on Air, eight released their debut album 'Moving' in March 2004 through BMG records.
watch this space . . .
eight is: Bruce Conlon (vocals, guitar) Paul Russell (drums) Hamish Jackson (percussion, samples) Chris Cope (guitar, vocals) Alastair Rogers (bass)
Source: http://www.eight.co.nz/
