To celebrate NZ Music Month, we talked to the legendary Paul Kean of The Bats, who have just released a new single and video called ‘Loline’.
The group has been around for as long as its record label, Flying Nun, and over those forty-odd years, they’ve seen positive changes in the local music scene.
We asked Paul whether he thought NZ Music Month was still necessary.
Firstly, you’ve got a new single coming out?
It’s called ‘Loline’ and it’s a fun one. It harks back to The Bats earlier days, in that it’s a really joyous jam kind of thing. Robert’s lyrics are reminiscing about being kids and that sense of riding around on your bike and just losing sense of time.
and you’ve made a video?
Martin Sagadin helped with that. We came up with an idea of us riding around at Waikuku Beach on Loline bikes, it looks quite funny. There’s also some live footage of our concert from Go Live at the Christchurch Town Hall last year.
How long have The Bats been together?
We did our first public gig on New Years Eve in 1982 in Dunedin at the Empire hotel.
So about 42 years…
Our fortieth was just after Flying Nun’s fortieth birthday celebrations. We were starting to form our band not long after Flying Nun did its first record with The Clean.
And you’re still on the Flying Nun label?
Yeah, it’s a relaxed kind of thing. We are the longest standing same line-up band on the label.
That must be some kind of record!
I think so. Even The Rolling Stones have had changes to their line-up. Actually, maybe U2 might just beat us to the title.
You must really enjoy being together.
For a while we were full time touring and recording both in New Zealand and overseas. That was intense and fun – but when children came along, we dialled it back a bit, but we kept it ticking over without ever feeling like we had to be doing everything all the time. Once the kids grew up, we picked it up a gear or two. I think Roberts amazingly prolific songwriting along with Kaye and I having been a consistent couple in the group has helped our longevity.
So, you’re not Fleetwood Mac then?
(Laughs)They’re a great band but no!
As well as The Bats, you’ve been doing other music making…
I’ve been busy collaborating with other folks. There was a violinist from Germany, Thom Thom Geigenschrey, over here in summer and he was a big fan of the Flying Nunners and wanted to play with everyone. We did some improv shows together and the finale before he left for Berlin was a gig at Space Academy, where we ended up doing a whole bunch of different songs from improvisations to Tall Dwarfs, Sundae Painters and the Terminals. Over the next few weeks I’m going to mix what we did together and hopefully release some of that.
But mostly you’ve been working on The Bats’ album?
Yep. It’s called ‘Corner Coming Up’ – so we’ve got the name but we’re still working on the artwork and release schedule.
What number album is it?
Number 11.
What do you think about NZ Music Month -is it still necessary?
When it first started there was very poor take up from radio stations to play New Zealand music – but I think in some ways it’s become redundant now, because there’s so much music coming out and being played on radio. I think streaming has also changed listening habits.
Are you happy with where New Zealand music is at the moment?
I think it’s pretty healthy. In fact, there seems to have picked up a bit recently. There have been a lot of acts that have done very well here and internationally. Lots of new young artists. Student radio has always been a great supporter of local music.
Who are you seeing during music month?
One gig I’m going to is Martin Sagadin’s album release gig. He’s originally from Slovenia and has been living in NZ for a long time, but I haven’t actually heard him play. He’s a great music video director – he’s made videos for Marlon Willliams and Tiny Ruins and Aldous Harding as well as for us. So, I’m looking forward to that – and I’m also going to see Reb Fountain on the 1st of May at The Church. It used to be the State Trinity. So great to see live venues coming back.
What’s the best live act you’ve seen?
It would have to be violin player Warren Ellis, along with the Dirty Three – a three-piece band and it was phenomenal. I also always enjoyed seeing the 3Ds and Snapper. More recently I really liked Voom.
What do you think has been the secret to The Bats’ longevity?
That’s a hard one. I’d say it’s to do with keeping fresh and not getting stuck in a rut but also not feeling like you have to change for the sake of it – with The Bats we have a nice emphatic vibe and that has something to do with it, I think. Some people say we always sound the same, but I think we just always sound like The Bats – all the shades – dark medium and light.
You’re the sound of Christchurch, I reckon!
Ha! Actually, we’ve got a good Christchurch lad, Marc Swadel, who’s been making videos for some big names overseas – he did a clip for us in the red zone called ‘Simpletons’ back in 2012. We asked him if he’d do one a new one and he said he was right into it. We’re looking at him picking up footage on his travels around the world for a song called ‘Lucky Day’.
When is the album coming out?
Towards the end of the year. In the meantime, we’re going to do a couple more video singles so watch out for those.
Watch ‘Loline’ Here
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