Critics' Choice Awards profile: Lake South

Critics' Choice nominee Lake South.

Ahead of Wednesday night's Critics' Choice Awards, we talk to Lake South, one of this year's three nominees.

Herald: Who are you, where are you from and how did your band/solo project first form?

Lake South: My name is Lake. I'm originally from Tauranga, but I guess Wellington is home. I live in Auckland now though.

Lake South was formed from the ashes of my previous band Urbantramper. We'd been going for more than 10 years and for various reasons I put it to rest. There's a lot less stress when you're by yourself, and you don't have to ask so much of people. Though I am asking quite a lot of Oliver (the drummer) at the moment.

Describe your sound in less than 50 words:
I try and make meaningful music, but I always end up writing about my feelings. It sounds like folk made with a machine.

My band name comes from...
The first half is my name and the second half is my hemisphere.

My biggest influences are...
Social justice, Love, Heartbreak, Classic Novels, Hope.

My best live show so far has been...
We've only played twice. Neither was that remarkable.
The other night our flatmate walked in on us when we were jamming . That's probably the best reception we've received so far.

When I/we are on stage we...
Try and press the right buttons at the right times. Try and remember that creating something from nothing is a beautiful and wonderful thing. Try and enjoy the moment.

My 30-minute set at the Critics' Choice prize finals will include...
Every one of our four songs and a short-sleeved shirt I got from an Op Shop in Tauranga.

Winning the Critics' Choice Prize would mean...
That my prediction was entirely wrong.

Listen to Good Keen Man by Lake South on Bandcamp.

* We'll be live streaming the Critics' Choice Awards on nzherald.co.nz. Tune in from 7.30pm on Wednesday night to watch all the action.

- nzherald.co.nz