From busking on the streets in Wellington, New Zealand, to touring with some of the biggest acts at the moment, Drax Project is a band you need to listen to! In our exclusive interview, we dive into their musical influences, songwriting process, and their experiences supporting major artists.
Influences and Collective Sound
Your music combines pop, hip hop, and jazz influences—where do these come from? Do you all bring individual tastes to the mix, or do you share similar preferences?
Shaan: “As instrumentalists—Matt on drums, Sam on bass, Ben on guitar, and myself on saxophone—we each bring different styles from our musical backgrounds. I was heavily influenced by jazz saxophonists, which has shaped my playing and melodies.”
Matt: “We’ve all studied music but have individual tastes, which helps diversify our sound.”
Sam: “We’ve played in different bands, and all our influences blend into Drax Project. We’re music fans who enjoy various genres, which naturally reflects in our writing and performances.”
Shaan: “It’s not a conscious decision; it just helps us create the music we want to hear.”
Inspiration Behind the Music
Are there specific artists that inspire the music you create?
Shaan: “I once listed around 30 artists that influenced me.”
Matt: “We love everything from Ed Sheeran to Tigran Hamasyan, an Armenian pianist blending jazz with death metal, and artists like John Hopkins.”
Shaan: “I grew up listening to the Chilli Peppers and old-school jazz.”
Sam: “And current artists like Zedd and Shawn Mendes are also a big deal for us.”
Songwriting Process
How does your songwriting process work? Is there a main songwriter, or do you all contribute?
Matt: “We all have equal say in songwriting. Sometimes Ben will guide my drum parts, or someone will bring in a complete song idea for us to tweak together.”
Shaan: “None of us are precious about the process; if something doesn’t fit, it’s out.”
Sam: “Exactly, if bass isn’t needed until the end, that’s fine—I’ll have my moment to shine later.”
Ben: “We’ve spent hours debating drum sounds, but everyone contributes to the final product.”
The Busking Background
Your journey began with busking. Why did you choose that route, and how has it helped your performance skills?
Matt: “We started busking, which led us to playing our own gigs. Back then, we had one original song and a bunch of covers.”
Sam: “Our setlist was dictated by passersby. If we were busking, we’d play one style; for our own shows, we’d focus on danceable tunes. That experience shaped our approach to music.”
Shaan: “While it may not have influenced our sound, it taught us the importance of capturing attention and creating catchy hooks.”
Touring with Major Artists
You’ve supported huge names like Lorde, Ed Sheeran, and Camila Cabello. How did those opportunities arise, and what have you learned?
Shaan: “For Lorde’s New Zealand tour, she selected different local acts, and we were fortunate to be one of them.”
Sam: “We did an acoustic cover of her song ‘Magnets’ with Disclosure, and she noticed us.”
Matt: “With Camila, we did a cover of ‘Havana,’ and she loved it. As for Ed Sheeran, we just got the offer—pure luck, really.”
Shaan: “Opening for Ed was incredible. Our largest crowd before that was 3,000, and those shows had 120,000 people over three nights.”
Sam: “What we learned is that these artists are genuinely nice and hardworking. Ed walked into our green room and introduced himself, which was surreal.”
Ben: “Everyone has been accommodating, like Camila’s crew. There’s no room for egos in this industry.”
Matt: “It’s inspiring to see how dedicated they are to their craft.”
Experiences in Europe
How are you finding your time in Europe? How do the shows differ from those in New Zealand?
Ben: “Europe is amazing. It’s been a wild experience, especially on this Camila tour.”
Shaan: “Some venues are centuries older than anything back home—it’s eye-opening.”
Matt: “Here, nobody knows us, which is refreshing. It’s like going back to our roots while still having the advantage of playing to large crowds.”
Shaan: “We enjoy performing for new audiences and winning them over with our tunes.”
What to Expect at a Drax Project Concert
What can audiences expect from a live Drax Project concert?
Ben: “Expect high energy and lots of dancing—stay hydrated!”
Shaan: “We use sax in unique ways, differing from typical pop usage—it’s loud and vibrant.”
Matt: “When we’re on stage, it feels like a party. The crowd responds to our energy, making it a blast for everyone involved.”
Future Plans
Will there be a return to Europe for your own shows?
Ben: “Hopefully! We’d love to come back if people are interested.”
Shaan: “The dream is to travel the world, playing music.”
Upcoming Music
What can we expect from Drax Project in 2018 and 2019?
Ben: “New music and more shows!”
Shaan: “We’ve been writing while on tour, and these experiences are helping us improve as a band.”
Matt: “Meet new people, create more music, and play more shows—that’s our simple plan.”
Drax Project’s EP ‘Noon’ is out now!
