Ilan Gitter and Jake Lerman work in perfect harmony as Aotearoa. They are so familiar with each other's music they can switch instruments with ease, taking up the drums or guitar for various songs. Lerman says they have been playing since high school and began switching instruments when they were part of a 4-piece rock band in high school called Purple Martin. Now the duo has recorded their first album with Joshua Browning at Hey! Bulldog studios, just north of Lawrence.
Lerman says he and Gitter see music as both a mode of expression and a form of entertainment.
"To us this album is a way to voice our thoughts on the world and culture we've been born into, in a way that does not come off a soapbox." Lerman said. "This album, like so many that preceded it, acts as a spoonful of sugar. It's a way to laugh at the fucked up world we live in."
The music on Aotearoa's EP comes across as a funny, funky commentary on modern culture, with smooth, flowing instrumentals and snappy, bold lyrics. Original guitar melodies, riffs and hooks keep the ears in pure bliss while the shaking, drum beats summon your body to move. Listeners might be taken away by the clever, jazzy guitar solos and rolling, dancing drums, but the lyrics speak in a way that is both funny and thought-provoking.
"In terms of content on this album, we range from rampant and unsuspecting commercialism, and a social fixation with wealth to the big round issues that much great music touches on, women, the fleetingness of existence and the strife that we all endure as our lives intersect these changes. " Lerman said.
A perfect example of the album's brilliance and many dimensions is one of Lerman's favorite songs: "I'm Alive For The..." - which can be heard on the band's myspace, find the link at the start of this article. The song's changing, swinging guitar and driving drums are irresistible for dancers. At the same time, the lyrics hold a great deal of meaning, speaking of the absurdity of consumerism, the mystery of life and ideas of kindness, value for beauty in the moment and yearning for growth.
"The name makes an implication that anyone is alive for some THING. That we are on this planet not to live, love and smile all the while, but rather to purchase and accrue debt." Lerman said. "The lyrics further express my belief that despite what faith you subscribe to, no one knows what happens when our time runs out. We could go up, we could go down, we could just sit in the ground or we could come right back around. At the end of the day, every preacher is as clueless as you or I. So if this is our situation, why not make the absolute most of the short time we have?"
The messages and ideas expressed within the songs are a testament to the band's folk roots, but the music itself is based around dance-able funk.
"Folk music is beautiful, but there's a special type of euphoria that comes over a person when they walk out of a venue drenched in sweat, legs still shaking from dancing." Lerman said.
As if a duo that can switch instruments, play inspiring and exciting funk, while speaking to the listeners on a higher level is not impressive enough, the band is also an organic creation of pure, live performances. Every part of an Aotearoa show is made fresh on stage. There are no samples and loops are set live.
"Tempos and timings evolve organically throughout the night." Lerman said. "Every night is unique. Every night flows around that particular audience."
Aside from the new EP, Aotearoa has a full list of other original songs they regularly perform and plan to record in future albums. Their full length album is planned to be recorded after their tour.
"Ilan and I are travelers, the name Aotearoa is a Maori word, that refers to the land mass of New Zealand." Lerman said. "We spent five weeks hitchhiking around the island which solidified our passion for travel." Aotearoa has plans for their first tour, shortly after the EP's release. This won't be a conventional tour, however. Having found their inspiration for travel in New Zealand, the duo will roam freely from city to city across the U.S. without a schedule or route set in stone. "We want to live and breathe this country and do it all while helping people get down." Lerman said. "My hope is that we're received well enough in each town to leave with full bellies and enough money to get to the next show."
With this lifestyle of free-roaming musical performances planned for the near future, Aotearoa hopes to jump-start the tour with a CD release show in Lawrence in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for the date.
Aotearoa has a fascinating, unique style of funk that audiences love. Their brave first step toward fame is sure to be a big success. The band's brilliant instrumentals, witty lyrics and positive energy are addictive to the ears. As mentioned in the first review of this band's performance at the Eighth Street Taproom, Aotearoa is a brilliant new band born of natural talent and practiced skill. The very fact that they have started their journey to musical greatness in Lawrence is thrilling. Don't miss a chance to hear them live and get your hands on their first EP before they hit the road!
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