The young Dunedin foursome, who play a progressive post-rock (in the style of Mars Volta, Sigur R3s or Mono) began playing together two years ago, formed around the prodigious talents of brothers Zac and Josh Nicholls.
An aggressive, frantic guitarist and powerhouse drummer respectively, the brothers were joined by friends Nick Tipa (guitar/vocals) and CJ Holley (bass).
Initially playing together as Gunslinger (a period about which they are all quick to express their embarrassment), the group was invited to become part of The Chick's Project, a youth mentoring programme, aimed at fostering the talent of young Dunedin musicians.
It was an experience, Holley says, that proved integral to the band's development, both on and stage off.
"We wouldn't be who we are without the Chick's Project," she says. "We wouldn't have played as many gigs, and playing shows and realising what sounds good and what doesn't, is so important. We'd probably still be in the Gunslinger phase. It's kind of cool seeing the wave of Chick's Project bands come through Dunedin music."
This period also facilitated a change of sound, and a change of name.
With vocals gradually becoming less necessary as the group focused on improving their composition, instrumentation became the focus.
Zac says their sound is now an expansive fusion of sonic explosion and restraint, with complex melodic leads supplied via the guitarists, and hammer-force rhythm section.
As the conversation finally turns to their recent triumph at the Battle of the Bands, the group is wonderfully humble, genuinely surprised by how well they managed to perform on the night.
"It was strange, and we weren't really prepared for it at all," says Holley. "It was very weird. I did feel though, that that was the best we've ever played, and it was so lucky for it to be that night. It's the one time that everything worked. Usually Zac breaks something, but I guess it was just lucky."
Taking away a tidy cash prize, as well as some studio time at Albany Street studios, A Distant City is now focusing on recording their debut EP.
"We're pretty much just trying to knuckle down to write lots of songs and learn them well, so that we can record," Zac said.
"We'd like to do a double album, but we'll be going for an EP."
At this stage, something else also comes to my attention.
Despite our conversation lasting for over an hour, drummer Josh has uttered less than a sentence during my time with the group.
"This always happens," Holley laughs. "He asked me if he should even bother coming."
I guess silence is golden, but then again, so is the music of A Distant City.
See it, hear it
A Distant City plays the Alizarin Lizard Album Fundraiser with The Maybe Pile and Alizarin Lizard on Friday, July 13 at National, $10 ono, doors open 9pm.
A Distant City also open Radio One Presents Onefest 2012, University of Otago main common room, Saturday, July 21, doors open 8pm. Free entry with your 91CLUB Card.
- Written by Sam Valentine.
