THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE REGGAE QUESTIONNAIRE: Logan Bell of Katchafire

Elsewhere has long held the view that Hamilton reggae band Katchafire have been the hardest working band in the country. Three gigs on one Waitangi Day alone tells you how committed they are.

But having played around this country -- and recording a series of excellent albums -- they also took flight and have toured in Australia and the US. Oh, and Brazil.

It's been more than a decade since their cracking debut Revival but they show no signs of slowing down, either on the touring, songwriting or recording. 

As local heroes Katchafire were a popular act at this year's Raggamuffin festival but now embark an yet another (dates below).

Time to let singer/songwriter Logan Bell loose on the Famous Elsewhere Reggae Questionnaire . . .

The first piece of music which really affected you was . . .

Song of the Wind by Santana. Dad used to put it on when we were young

Your first role models in music were . . .

My dad. He was in a band when we were young and we’d gravitate to band practice then Mum made him get a real job, but when we reached our teens he really nurtured our music interests.

Lennon or Jagger, Bob Marley or Burning Spear, dancehall or raggamuffin, Michael Jackson or Jay-Z?

Lennon / Bob Marley / raggamuffin / Michael Jackson

If music was denied you, your other career choice would be . . .

Professional sportsman – my bro and I were good at rugby league and basketball

The three songs (yours, or by others) you would love everyone to hear are . . .

Indigenous Life – FIJI; There for You – Damian Marley; Wake Up and Live – Bob Marley

Any interesting, valuable or just plain strange musical memorabilia at home?

Junior Marvin’s pick!

If you could get on stage with anyone it would be . . . (And you would play?)

I’ve been lucky to have been on stage with so many musicians, so it would have to be those who aren’t with us anymore – there’s no doubt it has to be Bob … Bob Marley. That would have been awesome

The three films you'd insist anybody watch because they might understand you better are . . .

Once Were Warriors, The Dark Horse and The Maori Wars

The last CD or vinyl album you bought was . . . (And your most recent downloads include . . .)

Last CD I bought was Justin Timberlake’s latest album. Most recent downloads were our latest single ‘Down With You’ as an experiement and the new single from L40

The poster, album cover or piece of art could you live with on your bedroom forever would be . . .

Bob Marley’s Uprising

David Bowie sang, “Five years, that's all we've got . . .” You would spend them where, doing . . .?

Recording all over the world in studios I’ve always wanted to be in with friends I’ve wanted to collaborate with

And finally, in the nature of press conferences in Japan, “Can you tell me please why this is your best album ever?”

We always try and better our last project – that’s something we’ve always done and something every artist should try to do. We’re halfway through the new album and we think it will be our best album yet. The boys have matured and our songwriting is better than ever

KATCHAFIRE TOUR DATES

Friday 26th December	Coroglen Tavern	Coroglen
Saturday 27 December	Brewers Field	Mt Maunganui
Sunday 28 December	Riwaka Hotel	Riwaka
Monday 29 December	Station Village	Lower Hutt
Tuesday 30th December	Lakeside	Taupo
Wednesday 31st December	Butlers Reef	New Plymouth
Friday 2nd January 2015	Opononi Hotel	Opononi
Saturday 3rd January 2015	Mangawhai Tavern	Mangawhai