DJ Interviews: Swamp Rat Collective

Hey there everyone, DJ Dizzy here & I recently sat down with a band who call themselves, Swamp Rat Collective 

 Our bio : Swamp Rat Collective are a jam band and recording project based out of Auckland, New Zealand who play fuzzed out dirty rock n’ roll. Their debut EP was released in July 2019, with more tunes cookin’ up for 2020. Keep an eye and ear out for new track ‘Buzzsaw Disco’ – going live online 18th June 2020. Members: Paul Cowsill & Adam Gatt + guest musicians and friends of the Rats

🐀 How'd you get started in music? I was very fortunate to grow up in a hugely musical household. My father is a musician who played in high school bands in the late 1960’s and still jams today. He started teaching me guitar when I was 9 or 10. 

 Who are your inspirations or influences? So many. Heavily influenced by Tool, Alice in Chains, ZZ Top, Jack White, Jimi Hendrix, Helmet, Led Zeppelin, Jane’s Addiction - to name a few! 

 What advice would offer aspiring performers? For musicians learning how to play their instrument being it the guitar, piano or their voice - I would say practice, and then practice some more. The more you play, the better you get; and the better you get - the more you enjoy it. Be prepared to put in the hours and your instruments will reward you. 

 How do you set yourselves apart from other bands or singers? I think we just try to embrace all of our influences and favourite guitarists as mentioned - throw it all in the mix when we’re jamming and recording - and hopefully something comes out of the blender with our own signature style. 

 Any new gigs or albums in the future We’re very much still just a jam band studio project at this stage, and with Adam based in London and me here In Auckland live gigs aren’t on the cards anytime soon. One day though. Adam will be returning to Auckland over Xmas, so that’s when he’ll add his guitar parts to 2 or 3 new tracks that are cooking away nicely. Then we’ll mix and master in the New Year and hopefully have our 2nd EP out around March/April 2021. That’s the plan anyway...

Special thanks to them for doing this interview & I wish them luck in their music so until then I'll catch you on The Flipside! Stay awesome & rock n roll!