School Fair: Upcoming gig and a little q&a with De

Ōtepoti-based four-piece, School Fair, are taking to the stage once again this weekend to bring to life their musical explorations that found footing last year. With few opportunities to play amidst the ongoing pandemic, the sounds of the band and their album Gorse on a Hill, which was released in July 2021, have rarely been heard live. School Fair are a unique, and intriguing addition to the Aotearoa music scene with very talented musicians creating the lineup. We’re super excited to watch them play in Ōtepoti / Dunedin at The Crown on Friday 6th May, and in Ōtautahi / Christchurch at Space Academy the day after, and would HIGHLY recommend you go along too!

Check out the little Q&A with De below!

Photo by Oscar Johns.

Who are School Fair? 

School Fair is the culmination of Findlay Buchanan, Semisi Maiai, Hamish Morgan, and I (De Stevens). And our trusty old 4-track cassette recorder.

What inspired you to form this project?

There was almost no inspiration, it just seemed to appear as some kind of manifestation in front of us. The motivation for the music was really something that came after the fact.

How would you describe the music you make and play?

I would describe School Fair’s music as kind of minimalist. Instrumentally it’s just three instruments, with lots of space for Findlay or Semisi to paint words on top. It’s sort of dark, broody and heavy, but it has some playful, almost pop-like elements at times. 

You created and released an album pretty soon after the inception of the project (or so it seems from the outside), was this always the plan, or did this come together spontaneously?

It all came together by mere happenstance really. Mid Autumn last year, Semisi and I were already toying with silly ideas that were mostly inspired by the process that comes with recording to a 4-track cassette. Hamish was around and hitting the drums, so ideas started manifesting with him. Then Findlay just happened to be delivered to our doorstep after driving the length of the country in his sputtering van. We had no intention of releasing this music originally - we found ourselves besieged by the creation process, returning to it collectively as it evolved over a short period of time. In the end we were really intrigued by what we had created, so we decided to release it and perform it.

What were the creative decisions behind recording on a 4-track tape recorder, and mastering it yourselves?

We were just really enticed by this technology and how inspiring the limitations that it creates were. The process was hasty and fervent. We would write a song in about 30 minutes, memorise the structure enough so Hamish and I could track bass and drums on two of the four tape tracks. Simultaneously, Findlay or Semisi would be scribbling away at sentences in a dark corner preparing their material for the two left over tracks that would be filled with either guitar or words. It all happened so fast that we didn’t think to involve any other parties in the mixing or mastering process.

What has prompted this mini tour of Ōtepoti and Ōtautahi shows this weekend?

I suppose it’s almost been a year since we last performed or made any of this music together. So when we noticed a spot in the calendar that we’d all be in the same place at the same time, we thought it’d be best to rekindle the fair while we have the chance.  

Dale Kerrigan are coming along for the ride, what do you like about playing with them?

Dale Kerrigan are really one of the greatest noisey guitar bands in the country right now. They really are a unique experience to see live, so it’s a real honour to have them opening for us.  

For someone who hasn’t been to a School Fair show, what could someone expect?

I’d come to our show with no expectations or premeditation. We’re keen to hold interpretive elements close, allowing the project to careen sideways when required, as we continue to figure out how this thing works in a live setting.

Ōtepoti / Dunedin gig tickets here!

Ōtautahi / Christchurch gig tickets here!

Instagram: @schoolfairband

Spotify: School Fair