We just learned that later this month the 6th annual Hamilton Circle Jerk is to take place in sunny Hamilton – a beautiful Auckland-adjacent metropolis in the Waikato region of New Zealand’s North Island. Naturally, we were curious as to what a New Zealand-style circle jerk entailed and who would go to such a gathering so we quizzed event organizer Miss L about the circle jerk’s origins and what one should get up to should they find themselves in Hamilton. Apparently it has nothing to do with group masturbation at all. Phew.
So it’s the 6th Annual Hamilton Circle Jerk Music Event coming up. Can you tell us a little bit about the event? The Annual Hamilton Circle Jerk was a brainchild music event of a local musician here called Mark Tupuhi from a band called St Lucy, originally called “Harden Up Ow “for promotional purposes, the name The Hamilton Circle Jerk proved too popular so it changed back. The premise or the rules you might say of the event, are that each band must cover two songs from past or present Hamilton bands and perform one of their own.
It’s always so interesting to see bands do their own unique take on the songs, many bands end up doing one-off collaborations and the event is recorded for posterity reasons. The event has between 12 to 15 bands playing on one night, which is amazing itself. It always tries to get as many diverse acts and genres to represent the Hamilton scene, covers can be anything from the likes of well known Hamilton known acts such as Split Enz (Te Awamutu counts!) and The Datsuns (as does Cambridge! ) as well as championing cult acts that many audience members may not have heard of. It’s Traditionally held at the end of May and it is Hamilton’s way of celebrating our history and music.
Tell us about what it’s like living in Hamilton. Population wise it is growing fast, (200,300 for the urban area) More people are choosing to stay here because housing is so affordable. The student culture is really active thanks to the University of Waikato and Wintec (up to 25,000 tertiary students) and I think the Hamilton music and arts community here generally like to have any excuse to do something creative. People are always putting on impromptu gigs , events, arts shows and theatre. It is also one of the few places where traffic congestion is not a big problem!
If you had a friend visiting from out of town, where are some of your favourite spots in the city to take them to? Day time: A lovely walk by the river, Hamilton Gardens and bush walk just out of town. Then bring them into town for a coffee at one of the many cafes on Victoria St the main strip, and for night activities well it would have to be gig central in the city at either Ward Lane or Flow Bar. Or if you were wanting to catch a film the Lido cinema, it is a sight to behold, luxury indeed! A quiet night in , it would definitely have to be a visit to Auteur House’s collection of indie films DVDs or during festival times The Hamilton Summer Gardens Festival, 48 Hour Film Festival or The Fringe Festival in June great theatre and musical performances!
What do you love about Hamilton/New Zealand? It’s a great little city, one thing I love is the communal feeling among the music and arts community here and that everything is so centralized, a walk down the main street and you have cafes and venues all in one convenient location, everything in Hamilton is in walking distance of each other, you can’t beat that! Something else I love about Hamilton is the Community Arts Council ‘adopt a box’ program, power boxes painted by local artists they are always creatively fantastic. New Zealand- the gorgeous scenery I know it might sound like a cliche but it really is stunning! And music, I really think we are spoiled for choice when it comes to good bands and festivals!
What is the biggest misconception about Hamilton/ New Zealand? Being a hub for the Waikato region in the heartland of New Zealand, it is often perceived to lack the culture of the larger urban cities. Culturally it offers so much and that is reflected in the amazing gig, events and the general artistic atmosphere of the city, that has flourished over the years.
Who are some of your favourite homegrown creative inspirations, e.g. designers, artists, musicians… This is going to be a long list! And these are only the Hamilton inspirations! Graphic designers/Artists The Underwater Collective, (Glen Leslie) Simian Lines (aka Ben Thomson), Matt Scheurich (alas we have lost Ben and Matt to Australia!) NFC Art (Nina Charlton) Photographers: Amanda Ratcliffe, Theatre Groups: The Free Lunch Street Theatre, Slip of the Tongue. Bands: This list is going to be so so long but will do my best and list recent bands active from the tron ( aka Hamiltron-affectionate Hamilton nickname for the city) Sora Shima , Dick Dynamite and the Doppelgangers, The Changing Same, The Hollow Grinders, Der Kranks, The Dusk, Strayhound, The Shrugs, The Deadly Deaths, Milk Train, The Datsuns, Disco Volante, Wasteland, Aum, The Collective, Knight of the Dub Table, Dynamo Go, Doteyes, Dasmels, Rumpus Room, Big Muffin Serious Band, COP, and The Trons (Hamilton’s own robotic band!). There is so much more I could list but this would take days! And I’m being very biased here but Contact FM, our indie/alternative music station here in Hamilton! Being part of a larger community, it’s a nice feeling when you can support the amazing wealth of bands, artists and designers Hamilton and NZ has to offer. It’s lovely to feel part of that extended culture.
MANDY KENNEDY IS QUEENSTOWN
DIE! DIE! DIE! ARE DUNEDIN
KAREN WALKER IS AUCKLAND
BANG BANG ECHE ARE CHRISTCHURCH
NATALIE SMITH IS WELLINGTON
WHICH NEW ZEALAND ARE YOU?
