Louder Than The Music

Fresh from releasing their brand new EP, Rapture Ruckus, a Hip Hop/Rock band from New Zealand, agreed to speak to LTTM. Front man Brad Dring tells us about their latest release and how they like to push the boundaries and be a little bit risky!

Tell us a little bit about your new EP 'Invader Volume II' and what the inspiration behind it was?

After years of writing and producing our own records we have developed a process and method we usually stick to. For Vol. 2 we decided to work way outside our comfort zone and create some rules to push us to different places. We wanted to take it back to the garage with a small pellet of instruments and create something with the vibe of the records we fell in love with back in the 90s when we were kids.

Which is your favorite track on the album and why?

I think my favorite track at the moment would be Mr Roboto. It's just so much fun, everyone who hears it smiles or dances.

If you could work with any songwriter, who would it be and why?

I don't know, probably someone really famous so I could get a great selfie with them. Paul McCartney perhaps.

This album is very different to most ‘Christian’ Music out there, do you think that helps or hinders the band?

Bit of both. Christian music in general definitely has its own sound and vibe, you can scan onto a christian radio station and instantly know it's Christian music before lyrics are even sung. That's weird. We've never been excited about existing and floating around inside the safety bubble. Music's more exciting when it's on the edge, risky, honest and vulnerable.

Do you prefer playing live or working in the studio?

When I've been on the road for a long time I'm hanging out to get back in the studio, and when I've been in the studio for a long time I'm itching to get back out on the road.

How do you go about being different creatively?

There are often acts/bands that are similar in style/vibe to what you do, I would usually try not listening to them to avoid subconsciously copying ideas etc. We never really have references of who we want to sound like, we just try things and go with what feels good. On a lyrical front you're trying to come up with creative and interesting ways to get your ideas across in a way that people haven't heard before.

How would you define success in your career as a band?

When you have decided to put your faith into your music, you've chosen to use your art to communicate the hope you've found through Jesus, the greatest success is when people share with you how your songs have helped them in their journey, encouraged them, strengthened their faith, made them feel less alone. These are the emails and conversations that get us fizzing and keep us amping.