Spontaneous Romantic

By DUFF, Michelle

You might know him as lead vocalist of Palmerston North band Urban Ersha, but what does crooner Davis Sione get up to behind closed doors? He talks to Michelle Duff about the best way to whip up a mean fish dish, and what it feels like to wear women’s stockings on your head. ——————– What is your hidden talent?

I think I’m a pretty good cook, eh – depends on who is eating it (laughs) I just like cooking, it’s cool. I just don’t like cleaning up.

What’s your foolproof home- cooked meal?

I’m pretty good at cooking roasts. Every now and then I do a special dish. It’s salmon, filleted with kiwifruit – a bit of Kiwi pride in there, eh. I stole it off my brother after I saw him cooking it.

What are you working on at the moment?

Round the end of last year we started to go more original music, and we are currently working on our first single – just finishing our draft copy. We’re going down to Wellington in the next couple of months to film our music video, and work with a producer called Mark Gibson. It’s really hard to put our music in a genre, because we all like different kinds of music – from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Incubus, my favourite band. We just like funky, rocky, really groovey stuff. It’s a listenable genre, it doesn’t matter which age.

If you could take anyone out to dinner who would it be?

Will Smith. My partner would say to take her but seriously, Will Smith. Just coz he’s the man, seriously, he’s an idol. You don’t know what to expect from him – he’s constantly doing things, improving himself, and that’s what I like to do.

What happened at the last party you went to?

I think it was my birthday – it wasn’t too bad, actually. It started out we were making cocktails, because I like to make a few drinks. It ended up a bit messy. We hardly drink usually, because we don’t drink when we play.

What is it about Palmerston North that keeps you here?

I have always liked the place, eh. I know people say it sucks, but it’s just got everything. Wellington isn’t that far away, and home to me – Levin – isn’t that far as well. It can be boring, but any place can be boring.

Tell us about your favourite holiday . . .

Last year for New Years I went to the Gold Coast with my partner, and that was pretty cool. Did the whole theme park thing, took photos with koala bears and that kind of jazz. Her idea, obviously.

What’s your most embarrassing childhood memory?

I don’t think I’d tell you that, actually. (laughs) I can’t actually remember this, but when I was quite young, three or four- ish, I used to have a fascination with my sisters stockings. That is quite out there. I’m not sure why. Apparently I used to wear them on my head and my arms and that sort of stuff.

Jellytip or fruju and why?

I can’t say both, can I? Jellytip for when you know how you get this craving for chocolate or something sweet after tea. And Fruju for when it’s hot.

Palmerston North could do with . . .

I reckon it needs more sort of venues that cater for live music, giving opportunities to bands in the Palmerston North, Wanganui area. Live music is a way different vibe to when you are in a club, dancing to a DJ. It’s just the whole atmosphere.

What’s your idea of romance?

Something spontaneous. I reckon that’s always romantic. You don’t know what to do, last minute plans, then it’s romantic. Something cool, obviously. Something out there, but it’s got to be all about your partner – something that represents you two.

What’s your word or phrase of the moment?

Stop being a baby. Me and Christian (bandmate) argue all the time, and that’s what I tell him. Stop being a baby.

What’s your most disliked band or musician and why?

I don’t know, I really don’t want to put myself in a hole here. What is that band that sings the song Venus? (the feelers) Nothing towards their music, I just don’t like their attitude.

What will you be doing in 10 days?

Working, and probably just the next phase of recording, which will be working out the timetables and stuff like that.

What are you listening to at the moment?

Gavin Degral. He’s this white guy and he’s got this really out of it voice, almost Stevie Wonder style singing. I’ve just been listening to his style. And a little bit of N.E.R.D – just coz it’s really out there, really different.

What are you reading?

I’m reading a David Eddings book called The Ruby Knight. It just opens up the imagination. I usually try to read something really out there for writing, just if I’ve got writers block.

* Urban Ersha’s debut EP, Shades of Black, is available now from Mango music, or online at www.urbanersha.com.

——————–

(c) 2008 Evening Standard; Palmerston North, New Zealand. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.