Hitting the road: Paul Matthews (I Am Giant)

What is your preferred mode of travel for the summer tour?

The van is good for New Zealand, because the drive is stunning - not like Europe where it looks like the same stretch of motorway for about 1000km.

Who's in charge of the stereo/iPod, and what's on it?

I'd have to say the Deftones are in charge. Their last three albums have been on high rotate. But no one really dominates the stereo too much. We kind of DJ, play each other tracks, and of course peeps in the van will put their headphones in if we start playing something they're not feeling.

Favourite place to grab a feed while out on the road?

We usually stop at the big BP on the motorway just past Papakura on the way out of Auckland.

Your favourite summer venue?

The Bedford in Christchurch, or BW Campgrounds in Gisborne.

Where else are you looking forward to visiting along your tour route?

Probably The Rockshop! I'm not sure we'll be visiting much more than the venues.

Best spot for a quick dip in the ocean, or an inviting swimming hole?

Cathedral Cove in the Coromandel - paradise.

What song will you be playing to really get the crowd going?

Of course our new single Razor Wire Reality. We love playing it. We've been playing the songs off the last album for quite a while so the new ones are a breath of fresh air, and Razor Wire cranks.

What are your plans for New Year's Eve?

To play the Mount Vibes festival in Tauranga - it's gonna be a great night.

Do you have any New Year's traditions?

As a band, not really. Probably just raucous consumption of our rider.

Do certain styles of music make more sense during the hot and sweaty months of summer?

No. All good music makes sense.

Is it tough having to work over the summer break when everyone else is on holiday?

Well, we're actually partying while we work. So no.

Ideal summer music fest dream team line-up?

If we're doing actual dream team, how about a festival with I Am Giant, Shihad, Oceansize, Soundgarden, Deftones, Isis, Rage Against the Machine, Helmet, A Perfect Circle, Dead Letter Circus, Jakob, and get in there Villainy, you award-winning rock band you.

I Am Giant are playing at BW Campgrounds, Gisborne, Dec 28; Mount Vibes, Mt Maunganui, Dec 31; Bedford CPSA, Chistchurch, Jan 24; Bodega, Wellington, Jan 25; Kings Arms, Auckland, Jan 31; Valley Vibes, Napier, Feb 1.

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- TimeOut