Interview with Nate from North supply co
Can you start by telling us a bit about yourself and your introduction to hardcore?
Thank you for having me on NZHCPP to start!
I'm Nate, 25, so fairly young to the NZHC scene.
I got introduced to heavy music back in middle school.
August Burns Red was my starter band into heavy music. I had a mate who was always air drumming along to them and constantly showed me Meddler! So thank you! And along with The Amity Affliction, Antagonist AD, Saving Grace, Te Kooti Brotherhood and Prepared Like A Bride. Then expanded into a bunch of genres - Metalcore, Hardcore, Deathcore, Punk etc.
What is north supply co, how did it start out, when did it become more than a clothing label, and what plans can we look forward to seeing in the future?
North Supply Co is the evolution of what used to be True North Clothing, a clothing label I began after leaving Year 12 at School (Form 6), before starting an Electrical Apprenticeship in 2014.
Always loved seeing international bands drop merch with their album Pre-orders (along with vinyl! Love collecting vinyl). So I suppose years after seeing that, I thought it would be cool to release my own merch but also support bands with the clothing label.
End of 2013 I Began working on the label going to local markets, having an online presence and having bands wear my clothing (Patriot, Lead Us Forth, Vanguard, Te Kooti Brotherhood + more).
Over the years of clothing releases and working more and more with bands on social media content, filming the bands and taking photos with the clothing.
Running a profitable clothing label is hard and I felt a bit Burnt out from it.
So I decided to rebrand as North Supply Co and begin like a DIY record label. Managing bands, putting on shows, producing and shipping merch for bands, social media and helping with Distro of their releases.
Future plans are more of the same but stepping up. More tours/shows with the bands I manage, adding more bands to the roster, as well as continuing more of the merch production and distribution - clothing, Vinyl & CDs etc
What is the current scene like in Auckland, what up and coming bands do you suggest we keep an eye out for etc?
I feel like for NZ the scene is obviously small to begin with. And from following so many Australian bands
Some bands I've loved seeing coming up and put on shows lately have been Finger Tight, Pressure & Stacked. Variety of genres there, but all crushing it in their own way. All very DIY as well, Which I love.
I see you are putting on some great shows up in Auckland, Where did the idea for 'Roll the bones' come from, Who is on the next lineup, and will we see more shows under the 'Roll the bones' umbrella?
Thank you! What started off as putting on a show or two for Amanaki has evolved into something more.
I wanted to set a theme and a name that people can follow behind and support, with some consistency. They know the look, price and that there's a mixed genre of quality bands.
I think Roll The Dice (Bones) fits that well, rolling the dice and seeing what mixed bands you get.
It's been cool being able to bring up other bands so far under this as well from Hamilton & Wellington.
Next one is August 27th with Soul Void, Brawler, Silent Torture & Pressure at Dead Witch Ding Dong Lounge Auckland.
We will be doing more Roll The Bones in 2023, and more than just Auckland.
What are your top 10 bands or albums that have influenced you the most in your life so far?
In no particular order:
Antagonist AD - Old Bones Make New Blooms
Thornhill- The Dark Pool
The Devil Wears Prada - Dead Throne
August Burns Red - Rescue & Restore
Prepared Like A Bride - Overcomer
Fit For A King - Slave to Nothing
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium
Balance & Composure - Light We Made
Dead Dreamers - No Closure for Open Ends
Stick To Your Guns (Anything by them is great!)
How does the D.I.Y attitude help you in what you have achieved so far, Is there advice for others wanting to put on shows, release vinyl, make merch etc?
I love the DIY nature of what I am doing.
Having creative freedom with the bands I work with is awesome. They trust me to do my part, listen to my ideas and let me take an actual part in the band - almost like a real member haha. Love seeing plans, strategies and physical products come together.
Key thing is just to give it a go, with whatever it is you’re doing. So much of True North Clothing & North Supply Co has just been figuring it out as I go. Learning, making mistakes and just figuring things out.
I had no idea how to create merch designs, posters, social media content, taking photos, making videos, making physical merch like CD’s, Clothing and Vinyl before this. But it's been great to learn and help other bands put their work out into the world too.
Top 5 New Zealand bands past or present and what makes them stand out from the rest?
Again, in no particular order, for me, these bands have stood out.
Dead Dreamers
I feel like for them they really took the professional route for an NZ band and made sure their music had quality to it. Especially with the guest features!
Definitely underrated.
Antagonist AD
An obvious one. But shows that a NZ Hardcore band can make it out of NZ, do well & succeed on the global stage.
Sink Or Swim
I remember seeing these guys at some of my first local shows. Great EP they dropped. Gutted it was their last, I feel like they could've gone far for sure.
Seeing them succeed in the local scene and grow was inspiring.
Take Hold
Great to see another hardcore band up and coming. Also good to see that after a few years away they have got the band back together. Just good dudes, writing some solid hardcore and emotion through their live shows. Looking forward to seeing them again.
Te Kooti Brotherhood
Such a fun youthful band, loved growing up and seeing them play at local shows and at Parachute Music Festival as a teenager.
They had a real positivity to their hardcore sound that everyone had fun at - crowd surfing, grabbing the microphone.
Any last words or shout-outs to end the interview?
Appreciate you for reaching out for this interview, as well as your support in the scene.
Amanaki has some vinyl available for pre order for their first EP - hit that up. Blue variant remain!
They're supporting Banks Arcade & The Gloom In The Corner (AUS) in Hamilton August 12th.
They're also playing in Hamilton & Auckland with No Life, August 19 & 20th.
Final Roll The Bones is coming up, August 27th with Soul Void, Brawler, Silent Torture & Pressure.
And if you haven't listened to Covenant yet. Please do! Downbeat Deathcore at its finest