Q and A WITH LANDLORDS

Landlords at Nivara Lounge in 2018, by Ngamihi Pawa

HUP caught up with one of Hamilton's most exciting bands, Landlords, ahead of their performance at The Third Annual HUP Xmas Party on Friday Dec 14th. We talked with Dylan Morgan (Drums) about how he and Andy (Guitar/Vox) and Paddy (Bass) came to form the band, their influences, and plans for the future. 

How did Landlords form?  I was playing drums in a local hardcore band a couple years ago and the guitarist, (Dustin), was really into New Order and similar new-wave style bands. We wanted to start something up so he asked Andy, and Andy asked Patrick. Dustin pissed off to Melbourne shortly after we began.

You guys are or were in other bands – tell us about them… Andy and Paddy were in local metal/hardcore band Dead Dreamers who were active 2012-2016, both are also ex-members of Hamilton/Melbourne hardcore band Hammertime. This past year I've played drums for a few heavier bands such as Two Heavens, Easy Off and Wakhan Corridor.
​

​How did the name Landlords come about? “Landlord” was taken.

When you set out, what were the main intentions, either in terms of what you wanted to sound like, or what you wanted to achieve with the band. Or both! We had a few reference bands that we were all listening to a lot of, particularly; Whirr, Nothing, My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Deafheaven. We were all on the same page in wanting to be on the heavier end of the shoegaze spectrum.

How does the songwriting process work in the band? Andy (the songwriter) says that's top secret information.

Do you have any recordings or releases planned? We're in the recording process and it won’t be long until we have a release.

You don’t have a Facebook or Bandcamp or any other online presence. Is that intentional? We're pretty slow at getting things done. It's pretty ridiculous. It’s a bit of an ongoing joke between us, though it's kind of worked out as it’s become a talking point at the shows we play. Maybe we never will...

Catch Landlords live at The Third Annual HUP Xmas Party takes place at Nivara Lounge this coming, Friday Dec 14th, and features five Hamilton bands - Orbjks, Broadcast State, Bitter Defeat, Cartoon Villain, and Landlords. Doors open at 7pm with the first band at 8pm. It's $15 on the door but if you're quick you can grab one of the limited $9 advance tix at undertheradar.co.nz