RNZ Music is proud to present the brand new video for 'Āta', from Wellington's favourite sonic-explorers, Orchestra of Spheres.
From the band:
"This video tells the life story of Āta. Born from a magical pyramid, Āta the blob struts the streets of Wellington, repulsing pedestrians along the way.
"In an attempt to blend in with the crowd, Āta checks into a body modification clinic and undergoes a transfiguration into a winged creature - part blob, part human, part insect.
"Emerging transformed into the light, and led by dark angels to a holy site, Āta takes flight into the sky. While in flight, Āta is lured to an underground tomb and becomes transfixed by a ritual of drumming and flashing white lights that draws the transformed blob to a searing death."
In te reo Māori 'āta' means 'reflection' and 'shadow' - specifically a human shadow, and Āta is a transliteration of the English name Arthur.
The video was shot on VHS in September around Wellington, including Cuba Street, Pyramid Club and Massey Memorial.
'Āta' is from Orchestra of Spheres' forthcoming double LP Mirror, which is out on November 2nd.
Orchestra of Spheres are playing in Wellington on Saturday, October 20th at Meow.
Orchestra Of Spheres received NZ On Air funding for a music video Photo: Supplied
Mirror was recorded at Building M, an old corrugated iron warehouse down the end of an industrial lane in Newtown, Wellington. Nestled between a cattery, a bowling green and the Wellington Zoo, Building M is the home and studio of Warwick Donald, a musician and engineer who's been recording underground local bands for many years.
Sounds of revving motorbikes wafted through the studio's open windows during recording, mingling with late summer cicadas and hungry lions at feeding time.
The band set up in Warwick's big open recording room which doubles as the kitchen, living room and occasional gig space, and put his collection of old New Zealand amps, mics and homemade reverb plates to good use.
Orchestra of Spheres are Baba Rossa, aka Daniel Beban, (biscuit tin guitar/vocals), Mos Iocos, aka Nell Thomas (vocals/synth/harp/flute), EtonalE, aka Erika Grant (bass carillon/vocals), Woild Boin, aka Riki Gooch, (drums/vocals), Farmerboy, aka Reece McNaughten (percussion), with Peter Daly (viola), Isaac Smith (vocals), Lucien Johnson (soprano/baritone sax), Oscar Laven (oboe/bassoon), Blair Latham (bass clarinet), and Jonny Marks (Synthi AKS).
Video credits:
- Dan Harris: video editing
- Nathan Taare: all-round assistance
- Jonny Marks: cameo actor
- Mike Heynes: for the VHS camera.
