When New Zealand dub/funk/soul band The Black Seeds are on the road, what gets them through to their next gig might be a little surprising.
“The asphalt on the road is what takes me to the next gig,” jokes the band’s bassist, Tim Jaray. “But, actually, listening to Bruce Springsteen’s album Nebraska while driving on the road on a beautiful evening is picturesque.”
And while Springsteen may not be what immediately comes to mind when thinking of a band who formed in the late ’90s in the town of Wellington, New Zealand, it’s the same spirit and love for music that drives them and the likes of the Boss.
“Along the way we have had many influences, with some members more into rock, while others are more into funk and soul,” says Jaray.
In the past 13 years, The Black Seeds have recorded seven albums, with their most recent, Dust and Dirt, debuting early this April. And, of course, with all of those albums there’s bound to have been some important live shows along the way to support them.
“For me, our most memorable concert was when we played for 30,000 people in Rotorua, New Zealand opening for The Wailers,” says Jaray. “There’s nothing like checking out Aston Barrett’s [of The Wailers] bass rig right before you play.”
Before each show, though, the band doesn’t spend as much time partying and going wild as some might think: they stretch, focus, have a cup of tea, and lie down. Their fans, however, have been known to put a bit more effort in before the band’s shows.
“I’m always amazed when the people who come to see us have traveled further than we have to get to the show,” explains Jaray. “I remember someone in Colorado saying that they had driven five hours to get there just to see us.”
Even though The Black Seeds have a large repertoire of seven albums in 13 years, the band still has big future goals and dreams to conquer.
“A personal short-term goal,” says Jaray, “is to get though this tour in one piece.”
The Black Seeds
April 10
Club 9One9, $25
victoriaskafest.ca