We find ourselves saying thank you a lot in this band. Maybe even too much and too often? So, we're going to hold back this time. No more thank you's....it's been said enough...
...or has it?...
...are we sure about that?...
One blog...no thank you's...it's a challenge...let's see how this goes...
We played live on Radio NZ a couple of weeks ago. There was a feeling amongst us that this was going to be something special. Heading into the studios of National Radio to meet well known presenter Jesse Mulligan for an interview ahead of playing a live set feels like a big deal.
In the first instance, we were incredibly humbled to be selected. Radio NZ ran a competition to uncover the national covers band of 2018. Some wonderful supporters of ours notified us of this and suggested we enter. Being announced as the winner was an amazing moment and we are intrinsically proud of this achievement. Some of our countries best musicians work in covers bands. They work hard. The gigs can be long, challenging and require a level of professionalism and musicianship that can only come from hours crafting specialist skills. We had heard most of these bands that made the finals of this comp and they are all amazing. Very, very high level musicians, tight groups that have played together a lot and some truly astounding arrangements of well known songs. It is an honour to be considered alongside these incredible musicians and our utmost respect goes out to them all.
Now, playing live on air was always going to be something challenging but cool and exciting. It was all of that!! Although more in the order of exciting, cool then challenging. We seriously loved every moment of it. The sound, the feel, the experience...everything felt amazing. The challenge we thought we may have, was playing to an audience for the first time without the visual aspect of our show. We are a band that doesn't shy away from expressing our enjoyment on stage. Smiles, laughter and movement are all intrisic parts of a WCJ live show and are things that have become synonymous with who we are musically. Radio was never going to allow that. It's audio only, so this was going to be a test of getting across the vibes of what we do without the visual elements.
Did it work? We felt it did. The sound and energy really felt right to us and we were proud of how the performance went and how the song arrangements sounded. It sounded like us!! In fact, it was actually quite liberating to be focussing on purely the audio and smashing out the best possible sound we can. So it was, we headed to a bar afterwards to share an excited celebratory drink. This was when things only became more exciting...
What happened? YOU happened! Our Facebook page and website exploded with amazing feedback and messages of support from you lovely people. Even Jesse Mulligan himself posted that Radio NZ were also receiving more feedback than they had ever seen before for a Radio NZ live session...ever! It was you amazing folks making the time and effort to send some feedback. Long term supporters, new listeners and even some international response. It has been amazing...almost overwhelming.
We are very aware that this is something quite special. This kind of pro active support is not a common thing. We are honoured, flattered and blown away and want to scream thank you to every one of you but this time, we're not going to. That is because this experience has brought us to the realisation that we REALLY are doing this all TOGETHER. We work hard at our craft. We gig a lot, travel a lot and sacrifice time with loved one's to pursue our passion and we are proud of our achievement here. But it's not just us. You guys are doing it with us and are just as proud as we are. Taking the time, money to see a show. Making the effort to email, message and send us support. Then you all seriously took time to let Radio NZ your thoughts. This turned a very special day for us into something much bigger and beyond successful. We played some music...you guys made us stars for the day and raised our profile to a whole new level. It's a team effort here right!? Alone we wouldn't have achieved this.
So let's stick together. Let's do this together. We have been inspired and motivated by this experience beyond any level we could have foreseen. Our plans for future progress and growth are underway and we feel nothing is unrealistic or out of reach. That is because we are doing it with all of you. We'll do our music, you do your thing and there is seriously nothing we can't achieve.
Let's stick together. Let's do this together.
Oh, and......
......thank you.....
Whoops!!
