Live stream
We all know and love the Ōtepoti-based band Purple Dog. Their whimsical vibes and powerful vocals have made their mark on indie bands in Dunedin. But have you wondered how they all balance their hard work with lectures, tutorials, and research projects? Are you wondering how to make your own band or music succeed? Well, I interviewed the lovely Imogen, lead singer of Purple Dog, last Monday to give you all the inside scoop.
First, I asked Imo how she manages to keep everything straight-the gigs, the tour planning, and classes on top of all of it. She said that her main tools in all of it were planning and organization. Delegation of tasks to the rest of the band was crucial in planning the band's New Zealand tour last year, especially since it coincided with the release of the band's EP, Dog Years. Most importantly, the band had to work together as a team to achieve their goals.
Most of you may be wondering, how have students impacted Purple Dogs' music and shows? Being a student band certainly presents its own set of challenges, and Imo agrees. One impact that presents itself quite often to the band is budget constraints and time. As students, we are all living on (relatively) the same type of income, so you can imagine how that presents a challenge to an aspiring band. However, there are certainly pros to being a student in a band, says Imo. The friendships that the band has made as well as events like Bring the Noise (OUSA), have been instrumental in the recording of their EP.
The Dunedin gig scene has lent much inspiration and personality to Purple Dog, specifically through its grassroots music scene and student population, who are eager to support their peers. With that, I asked Imo for any tips she had for aspiring student bands. Her first piece of advice: Just start doing it! Don’t wait for your music to get “better,” just start gigging. Pint Night at UBar is a great way to start, and Dunedin is full of friendly people who want to see you succeed.
So, Dunedin students, what are you waiting for? Get out into the student band scene, and as Imo would say, “embrace the chaos.”
