Liam Finn could rightly be identified as a world citizen. The New Zealand native was a globetrotting toddler, accompanying father Neil Finn on Crowded House tours, repeating the experience as a young adult with his own band, the renowned Betchadupa. To record FOMO, the sophomore follow-up to 2007 solo debut I’ll Be Lightning, Finn relocated to London, but moved to New York City three years ago. Finn’s third solo set, The Nihilist, runs the gamut of his genetic and experiential influences. Finn will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our new feature on him.
Finn: When I was in my first band Betchadupa, there was a time when all we listened to was Fugazi. We discovered their records in a reverse order after hearing the Instrument soundtrack. Instrument is a documentary by filmmaker friend of the band Jem Cohen, and the soundtrack is a collection of demos and home recordings. There are early versions of songs that appeared on albums In On The Kill Taker and End Hits, and obscure jams that are deep with atmosphere. When I finally got my hands on a DVD of the film, we got obsessed. Not only with the band and their music, but their ethos and the live energy that they were so famous for. The movie has brilliant and intense live footage shot on 16mm juxtaposed by these brooding and mellow demos. A great collage-like insight into one of the most legendary bands outside of the mainstream world.
