I’d like to thank Andrew Masseurs of AMMP for taking time out of his
busy schedule to do this interview.

Tell us what the music scene is like in New Zealand
Andrew: For Ammp its been one of opportunity. Basically, there are
incentives in place for new music with radio potential. We’ve been
lucky enough to have received music and video grants for our first two
singles. All I wanted was Ironman from New Zealand on Air – the funding
arm of the NZ government. The ball is really then in your court to
make the most of the opportunity.

We were given our first break through another music trust called “Play
it Strange” who really liked our first song “All I Wanted” and recorded
it with professional musicians. It was a wonderful experience as it
was a TV documentary and really taught us what we needed to do too. We
learned heaps from this experience – it was our first experience of
seeing a professional studio in action and we went on to form the Ammp
band and re-recorded “All I Wanted” ourselves. We owe a lot to these
organizations and it really worked for us and put us where we are
today.

Are there any bands to come out of New Zealand that we would have heard of?
Andrew: Shihad, Crowded House, Evermore, Split Enz, Dave Dobbyn,
possibly OMC with his Hit, How Bizarre, Bic Runga, Conan and the
Moccasins.

Are you biggest band in New Zealand?
Andrew: Yes, I weigh in at around 100 kilos I think the boys are all
around 80 so that would definitely make us the biggest four piece but
don’t quote me on that, oops to late!! Seriously – we’re finding our
way in a hugely competitive market. We love to play music and have it
move people. If we ever get to the stage of being classified as the
biggest band in NZ, it it would be an added bonus to an already
gratifying love for creating music.

Do you do many concerts or any tours?
Andrew: There is an insatiable itch to play live that is consistently
being rekindled whenever we practice or shoot a video. At the moment
Ammp is focused on studio work and making each single the best we can
– we’re in a creative space just at the moment – then the touring and
world domination!!

Your songs are so well crafted, so beautiful and the vocals are so
wonderful. Do you ever get out of the studios to do other things?

Andrew: Thanks man – that’s very nice of you to say so. If time
allows I like to hit the gym and run, there are so many things I’d
love to do. One day I’m going to write and draw a kid’s book. I’d
really like to write a screenplay for a movie. I’d like to get back
into painting. All farfetched goals but so was writing a single and
doing a video and we’ve almost done three and are planning the fourth.
For now it’s my family, music, work and getting up in the morning.

Tomorrow will be the conclusion of the interview with AMMP, as we talk
about their songs.

Check out AMMP Website and see their videos.
AMMP MySpace page
Free downloads of AMMP for fans at Mp3.com