The Answer

“If this is the answer, I don't need to know
Keep it close now, keep it close, don't let it show
If this is the answer, go settle your scores
Or buy me a time machine then you could have it all
Then you could have it all
Then you could have it all”

The Answer – Villainy

I write a lot about how easy it is to get close to our New Zealand bands. But how close is close? You can get so close you can see them play regularly. You can get right up the front at small, local gigs. You can run into them on the street much more often than an international artist. But can you get so close you can ... touch them?

Yes. Yes, you can. Between my friend Zena and I, with whom I attend most of my concerts, we have touched members of Villainy, 48 May and The Leers, and everyone who currently plays in Luger Boa. This touching has been in the form of a handshake or slap or a hug if we are that lucky, but most of it comes from a delicate physical contact art we like to call brushing.

Brushing – that is, two human beings just touching each other as they pass by - became a thing for us during Clap Clap Riot’s album launch gig last June. Zena and I were standing in roughly the middle of the crowd watching the gig, when suddenly a young man brushed his way between the two of us. Normally someone brushing past you at a gig or in a pub is a bit of an annoyance. This particular time was, however, exciting because we quickly released the man who had brushed us what none other than talented Luger Boa guitarist Johnny Lyon. Zena and I were beside ourselves with excitement at being touched by a rock star, and thus the concept of brushing was born. We put it into practise at Villainy’s gig in October and brushed ourselves silly with awesome Kiwi musicians. Consider yourself lucky – I am about to give you the key tip for maximising your brushing experience.

Brushing is quite a handy little trick with New Zealand bands as many gigs are held in small pubs, and band members will often come to the bar to grab a drink before heading backstage. It’s best if you position yourself between the bar and the backstage room, preferably with a half empty drink. Thus, when the particular band member makes their way back stage, you can finish your drink and move towards them and “accidentally” brush them as the two of you pass. This same technique can be applied when strategically going to the bathroom, outside for fresh air or moving closer to the stage. If you remain inconspicuous while you are carrying out your brushing, then congratulations – you are doing a far better job than Zena and I ever did.

This weekend Wellington is going to come alive with the annual Homegrown festival. You can bet your bottom dollar Zena and I will be hanging around the Jim Beam Rock Stage waiting for all our favourite bands to play. We feel long overdue for a Luger Boa gig, are looking forward to saying farewell Midnight Youth in style, cannot wait to see more from our latest favourite rockers Villainy and are amped for Shihad to headline. And, we are looking forward to all the brushing this young woman and her best friend can handle. Look out Clap Clap Riot – it has come to my attention while writing this blog you have not been the target of our brushing technique.