The Creative World of Commodore65
Commodore65 consists of Joshua on keys and vox, Phil on bass and vox, and Jessica on drums and vox. Their shed-punk vibe blends punk and garage elements with a healthy dose of retro gaming nostalgia. Their lyrical themes cover a wide spectrum – from delving into deep mental and emotional experiences to taking jabs at politicians, poking fun at trashy TV and being really tired!
How did you get started with music?
Living in little old Thames and all working here in Grahamstown, it was only a matter of time before we started jamming together. We each hail from diverse musical backgrounds and are involved in other bands; Phil with The Datsuns, Silent Letters, Joshua with The Dicks, and Jessica with Slumbug, albeit on different instruments. From that first shed jam, where we felt that undeniable chemistry, to last week’s band practice, we’ve always had fun together.
What gets your creative juices flowing and inspires you to make music?
We’re all constantly soaking up inspiration from our surroundings. Our band culture embraces the idea of playing anything, writing about anything, and expressing ourselves without fear of judgement. This freedom allows us to tap into creativity without feeling constrained, opening us up to inspiration from all directions. Personally, I used to feel pressured for songs to carry deep meaning or complexity or to only write about topics deemed ‘worthy’. Letting go of that notion has been liberating – I’ve realised it was holding me back. It’s not about meeting the expectations of others; it’s about staying true to ourselves and expressing our thoughts and emotions authentically. If people vibe with us, that’s rad!
Who are your musical heroes or role models?
(Jessica) Am I allowed to throw these two (Joshua and Phil) under the bus? I find my greatest inspiration in the musicians within my community rather than the distant and often unrelatable realm of top 40 pop artists. There’s an inevitable debate about separating the art from the artist in that sphere. Instead, I’m drawn to the folks who are actively involved, running venues, making posters, audio engineering, teaching music, and simply expressing themselves. It’s the vibrant culture surrounding these individuals that fuels my creativity and passion for music.
What’s been your most unforgettable moment in your music career so far?
It’s still early days for us, but the response we’ve been getting at our recent shows has been mind-blowing. Seriously, the love and energy from the crowd have been unreal. It’s got us feeling super motivated to keep pushing ahead. We’re just stoked to be out there sharing our music and vibing with everyone.
How has live music shaped your life and career?
Experiencing live music for the first time completely altered the course of my life. The sensation of being fully engulfed in art, performed with such raw passion, catapulted me into a realm where I could freely express myself and confront emotions and experiences that previously seemed out of reach. I’m constantly fuelled by the vulnerability and resilience of artists – it’s a never-ending well of inspiration for me.
What does being a musician here in Te Tara-o-te-Ika-a-Māui (on the Peninsula) mean to you?
It’s been tough lately, especially with our local all-ages venue, The Green Room, closing its doors. There’s this sense of disconnection among the talented musicians in our area. We believe in the importance of nurturing our local scene – it’s vital for the creative well-being of our community. Having places to perform and building intentional creative relationships are key to strengthening the overall creative health of our community. We’re determined to keep the spirit alive and find new ways to support each other.
As an artist, creative well-being is so important. What does it mean to you as a musician, and how do you use it in your work?
I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to collaborate creatively within our local community and perform in safe, supportive spaces. It’s like therapy – it’s incredibly cathartic. Mental health is a significant concern here in NZ, especially within the arts community, so making space for that is crucial. In a world that can feel overwhelmingly stressful and dark at times, making music together like this can be the fire that keeps us going.
What’s next? Any exciting plans or projects on the horizon?
We are putting on a show at 605 Morningside Drinkery, 17th August!! Other than that we are making plans to record a little EP to hit the road with.
Come to Commodore65’s next show and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Words by Donny
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