"The obvious example for me is these talent shows - X-Factor, for example. Everybody well knows that if you're in music and you're an experienced performer, there's no such thing as 'the number one'. I always laugh when you get the 10 finalists, and they're all fantastic, but only one will be recognised as that. It's a cop out."
At a point in the music video for Numbers, a message is overlaid asking the question, "How would you know if it was rigged?"
While not necessarily suggesting it happens, Faville suggested that is a question people could validly ask when the results of a commercial talent show are revealed.
DateMonthYear started out when Faville began teaching music and realised that while he could write music, there was no solid evidence of that, so he wanted to walk the talk by starting his own music project.
"The idea was that all the members add their own thing to the project, and that's what we've done," he said.
"We've made four albums to date, entirely self-financed, and it's not like a revolving door or anything like that - people join and they stay - but it's more along the lines of 'you haven't signed a contract here, we're not blood brothers, it's not a gang against the world. It's a way of making music, and your commitment is defined by your contribution'. The more they do the more they're in."
Faville said he thought the traditional idea of getting virtually married into a band is an archaic way of thinking.
DateMonthYear has become a solid five-piece line-up in its live performances, but they are always aiming higher.
"The rationale now is there's got to be a bit more of a point to it than just, 'Oh, we've got a show.' We're busy people.
"If we're all going to commit to doing a gig, let's do something of value. At the moment my justification is that there's some new material, so we're going to try that out live."
Now head of the music department at Melville High School and a member of the Tron Music Trust, Faville said he recognised the Future City Festival as an important part of the Hamilton music scene.
The new festival was the brainchild of Hamilton Underground Press, which has supported Hamilton artists since it was established in 2015.
"Even if I wasn't with the Tron Music Trust, I'd want to be involved, because these guys are actually making the difference," said Faville.
"I think there's pure opportunities for music in Hamilton."
- Info and tickets for the Future City Festival are available at undertheradar.co.nz
