The Phoenix Foundation

The Phoenix Foundation emerged from New Zealand in the early 2000s as one of the most prosperous independent outfits by fusing the serene landscapes of alt-country with the intensity of indie rock. Their 2010 album Buffalo opened doors internationally and connected them with listeners beyond their home country, while the expansive double-length effort Fandango in 2013 let them stretch out and develop their material more fully.

Samuel Flynn Scott on vocals and guitar, guitarist-keyboardist Conrad Wedde, and Luke Buda handling vocals, guitars, and keyboards established the Phoenix Foundation in 1997. Although their formative listening included Pantera, Slayer, and Sepultura, the trio pursued broader sonic territory and devoted their initial two years to rehearsal and defining their artistic path. China Cove appeared as their debut EP in 2000. The following year the lineup expanded to six members when bassist Tim Hansen, drummer Richie Singleton, and percussionist Will Ricketts joined.

Working from a home studio, this configuration produced “The Drinker,” which bNet named the Best Unreleased Song of 2001. A parallel honor arrived in 2002 when independent New Zealand radio stations played “Blue Summer” more than any other track. The band then entered the studio with producer Lee Prebble to cut their first full-length release, Horsepower. Issued in 2003, the album received major critical acclaim throughout New Zealand; a year later an Australian release drew equally strong notices. Hansen departed in 2005 and Warner Emery took over on bass. The Phoenix Foundation also completed and issued their second album, Pegasus, which they supported with extensive performances across New Zealand and Australia, among them a warmly received appearance at the Big Day Out Festival and a sold-out concert at Wellington Botanical Gardens.

In 2006 their Caravan Records imprint opened an American division to issue Horsepower in the United States, and the group traveled to the East Coast for their first American shows. Film scoring began with Eagle vs. Shark, released in June 2007; later that same year their third studio album, Happy Ending, followed. Buffalo arrived as their fourth LP in 2010, after which they signed with the British label Memphis Industries for a worldwide edition. The band composed and performed the score for the 2010 film Boy. Working at Neil Finn’s Roundhead Studios, they released the ambitious double album Fandango in 2013. With new drummer Chris O’Connor on board, the Phoenix Foundation delivered their sixth album, the rhythm- and synth-focused Give Up Your Dreams, in summer 2015. Under the alias Moniker, several members scored Taika Waititi’s 2016 comedy Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Most of the material for 2020’s Friend Ship was tracked in the band members’ home studios, though orchestral arrangements supported the more ambitious pieces, and Nadia Reid contributed guest vocals to “Hounds of Hell.”