IS IT A BIRD?

A couple of years ago, I had the chance to interview The Mutton Birds, but through various mishaps, it wasn't to be. Suffice to say that when presented with this opportunity recently, I jumped at the chance. Originating in New Zealand, the band have been based in the UK for a while now, while frontman Don McGlashan has relocated back home to New Zealand. I spoke with Don during the band's recent gigs in Australia, where we spoke regarding both the new album & a host of other things as well.

First off, we got around to talking about the UK experiences Don had.

"I quite like the UK. It's a very busy place & there are certainly a lot of opportunities there. There always seems to be something going on & we had good support & a good time there. I think that I've written the best songs though, in New Zealand."

On the other hand, Don has recently relocated back to New Zealand & I asked the reasons behind that decision.

"Quite simply, it's because I wanted to slow down the amount of touring we've been doing & spend more time with my family. It's ironic that having said that, we're in Australia doing some shows, but that's the way things happen isn't it. Coming back to New Zealand is really like a homecoming. It's a much quieter atmosphere & I find it more relaxing. The odd thing is that the rest of the band are still in the UK."

A curious problem, having the rest of your band on a separate continent, especially when you're the songwriter. Don & the band have that worry clearly sorted.

"Yes, a few years ago, that would have been a major problem for us & I certainly don't think we'd have had the money to do it with things like international phone calls, but with the Internet & especially email, we're very lucky& it's an economical way of keeping in touch. For instance, with this trip to Australia, we organised everything by email & the whole band met up here without trouble. If we'd used the phone, it would have cost us a lot of money & if we'd used regular mail, it would have meant a lot of time between communicating with the band."

The band also have a website, put together by Don himself & I asked how it had helped out.

"There's definitely been interest & I think a closer tie with our fans. I put it together with quite an old Macintosh & it seems to have worked out very well. I think it's helped out with the amount of people looking from other countries, so from that point of view, it's good for us as a band. I've not gotten my head around the way things like MP3 are going to work yet, but I guess later on we'll do something."

So far the band's most popular song chart-wise has been the current single Pulled Along By Love, which is from their latest album Rain, Steam & Speed, the single accompanied by quite an amazing video, which Don is quick to talk about.

"We're very happy with the way that video turned out. We hardly had any money to make & the guy we did it with was very creative & the end result is quite a good looking video which has gotten some good video show play, which is surprising & it's the highest charting song we've had. We're still deciding on what the next single will be for Australia, but whether we go for the same as we did in New Zealand, I don't know."

Lastly, I asked about the band's plans for the next album.

"At the moment, we're still working on getting something out of this one, but I think with the financial situation, we'll be doing most of the recording in New Zealand. Maybe a little in Australia, but I don't know yet. The quality is as good here as overseas, maybe better, but it's so much cheaper. Whatever happens, I hope we can do as good a job as this one."

Check out the band's latest album out now through Virgin or see them touring when they come to your part of the world.