I N T E R V I E W
James Stuteley of Carb on Carb
by Ian Duggan
I once had a flatmate who was horrified at the thought of having pasta and potato in the same meal. Such things never bothered me, so I’m super-happy that Auckland two-piece ‘Carb on Carb’ have been added to the Future City Festival line-up as late replacements. I had a quick chat to drummer James Stuteley about international touring, their favourite carb on carb dish, and the obligatory question of who they are looking forward to at the festival; interestingly, and apparently unintentionally, the latter answer ended up being another carb-related band!
HUP: Your style evolved between 2012s ‘no body perfect’ and 2015s self-titled ‘Carb on Carb’ album. What should we expect from the 2017 version of Carb on Carb?
James: More emo, more hard out.
HUP: You quit your day jobs to become a globetrotting professional band, including tours of Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and the USA. Do you still have that wanderlust as a band?
James: Absolutely, it’s always been at the core of what we want from this band. It’s an incredible way to encounter the world and make friends. Got a bit more of that coming up this year.
HUP: What would you rate as success for Carb on Carb?
James: We already feel successful being able to tour and visit friends, and recoup costs, and play with our favourite bands. But I guess you’re asking for an ideal which would probably be touring six months of the year and not needing a day job to live.
HUP: Do you have a favourite ‘Carb on Carb’ dish? Chip butties?
James: Our current favourite is spicy potato soft tacos.
HUP: Who else are looking forward to seeing at the Future City Festival?
James: Haven’t seen [unintentional carb reference] Old Loaves in years. Should be a sick set.
