Author Interview: Daniel Beban
Riki Gooch interviews author Daniel Beban about his new nonfiction book Future Jaw-Clap: The Primitive Art Group and Braille Collective Story.
In this unmissable interview conductor, composer, electronic musician, producer, and drummer Riki Gooch interviews fellow musician, sound artist, producer and now author Daniel Beban about his new book Future Jaw-Clap: The Primitive Art Group and Braille Collective Story.
Primitive Art Group on cover of TOM . All rights reserved.
Future Jaw-Clap: The Primitive Art Group and Braille Collective Story tells the story of one of the most influential and far-reaching movements in New Zealand music. They had their roots in the cold harsh reality of 1980’s Wellington, which were quickly to spread out into numerous creative spheres and projects. These self-made musicians created a new form of pioneering free jazz, the nexus of which was the Primitive Art Group. These “punks of jazz” also supported many of the key protest movements of the time. Many of the participants in the movement moved on to a dizzying array of musical and creative careers.
Neill Duncan tribute photo. All rights reserved.
Daniel Beban is a musical force of nature; a multi-instrumentalist musician, sound artist and producer who lives in Wellington, New Zealand. He performs in a vast number of groups including Orchestra of Spheres, Devils Gate Outfit, the Stinging Nettles, Farewell Spit, UMU, and many others.
He is the founder of the Frederick Street Sound and Light Exploration Society. Dan also manages the Pyramid Club, Wellington’s very own home for experimental music. Future Jaw-Clap: The Primitive Art Group and Braille Collective Story is his first book.
Off the deep end photo. All rights reserved.
Riki Gooch Pirihi (Ngāti Wai/Patuharakeke/Ngāti Māhanga Hourua) is a conductor, composer, electronic musician, producer, and drummer based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa.
His huge and varied musical C.V. includes being a founding-member of Trinity Roots, and playing with the likes of Fat Freddy’s Drop, Shayne Carter and Ria Hall. He performs with a wide variety of artists and organisations, such as: Ruby Solly, Alistair Fraser, Jeff Henderson, Noa Records, AJA, Mara TK, Orchestra of Spheres, and has been known to DJ in a gigantic cat’s head as DJ Oboe.
As well as big name bands and musicians, Riki has always had a keen interest in experimental works and underground circles and his focus over the years has been more and more in this direction. In recent years Riki has undertaken a post-graduate course with the intention of developing an indigenous embodiment of conduction. He’s also started to explore new ways of turning a drumkit into a robot.
Primitive art group. All rights reserved.
We were thrilled when both Daniel and Riki took time out from their very busy schedules to discuss Future Jaw-Clap: The Primitive Art Group and Braille Collective Story, and we wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to them.
Daniel will be doing an event to celebrate the books release at the wonderful Verb festival when he will be in interview with Nick Bollinger on:
Saturday, 9 November 2024, 6:00 pm 6:45 pm at Slow Boat Records (183 Cuba Street).
There's also a free gig and book launch at:
Meow on Saturday 16 November at 7.30 pm featuring many of the original bands.
You can hear the interview by following the links below. And also borrow a wide selection of works by both Daniel and Riki. Or by clicking here to get to our Spotify page.