Exponents founder Michael Harallambi set to launch new music project Bog Queen

Michael "Harry" Harallambi has lived in Castlecliff for the past two years. Photo / Mike Tweed

Michael “Harry” Harallambi has traded in Ohakune for Whanganui and the drums for the piano.

A founding member of The Exponents, formerly The Dance Exponents, he is gearing up to launch a new album under the moniker Bog Queen, which he describes as “definitely rock ’n’ roll”.

Harallambi and his wife moved to the suburb of Castlecliff in 2023.

Shortly after that, he connected with artist and musician Stanley Manthyng and the pair wrote 15 songs over the next year-and-a-half.

“They were just flowing out of us really quickly and easily,” Harallambi said.

“I’ve got a tiny little studio here at home, so we just started recording them.

“I play all the instruments and Stanley sings. We’re pretty stoked.”

He said it was hard to describe the result – “I’m too close to it” – but the most common feedback the pair got was that it sounded like early David Bowie.

“I can’t see it at all, but we’ll take it. That’s about as good a compliment as you can get.

“Another one we get is Meatloaf. It’s very piano-heavy, but it’s definitely rock and roll.”

Producing the album himself meant total freedom in the studio, he said.

“I really like the faults and flaws in records, things not being perfect, because that’s what real music is.”

The Exponents broke up around 2003 “but never really officially”, Harallambi said.

Their last studio album, Eight Days at Roundhead, was released in 2013.

It features songs written but not recorded during the Dance Exponents years.

Michael "Harry" Harallambi (second from right) with fellow Exponents (from left) David Gent, Brian Jones and Jordan Luck as the band received a legacy award at the 2015 New Zealand Music Awards. Photo / Jason Oxenham

“We just keep getting hooked and dragged back in,” Harallambi said.

“What’s weird is we are bigger than we’ve ever been. The last tour we did [2023] was all town halls, and they were mostly sold out.”

The band “opened for ourselves” on that tour, playing a set of Dance Exponents songs before re-emerging and playing Exponents songs, he said.

“There is talk of a big eighties reunion tour with us and The Mockers.

“We will definitely be playing again. It’s not a lot of money, but it helps you pay your rates and utilities, and it’s always good to connect with the guys again.”

Harallambi said he thought Whanganui was “the best city in New Zealand”.

“I love how weirdly friendly everyone seems to be.

“Being able to walk across the road and swim in the sea is pretty nice.

“There are musicians and artists and it oozes creativity everywhere you go.”

He and Manthyng will perform for the first time as Bog Queen at the Whanganui Musicians Club in January.

“Normally, I can play drums blindfolded with one arm tied behind my back.

“With piano, I’ll be drinking water and paying attention. It’s a big deal for me.”

He was yet to tell Exponents frontman Jordan Luck about the gig, Harallambi said.

“I’m sure Jordan would come along if I let him know, but he would end up jumping on the stage.

“I’d have to say, ‘F*** off, it’s my time to shine’.”

Bog Queen release their debut self-titled album on January 5 and play at the Whanganui Musicians Club on January 16.

Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily Whanganui District Council.