You can describe these guys as fun, full of energy and down to earth.
FourQuarters is what they call themselves and they started off in high school but being students had its responsibilities so the band had to split.
However, their passion for music was the reason the group got back together in 2015.
Since then, the band of five plus their “sound guy” has been travelling around Fiji performing mostly the kind of music they love.
The band members have a wide variety of influences when it comes to the kind of music they play, influences such as blues, funk, and hard rock.
I cannot explain the feeling I got listening to the band play during a recent visit to Leleuvia Island but imagine listening to Donald Glover but with a little more heart and groove.
The band comprises Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu (percussion player), Andrea Narayan (bass player), Zen Waqavonovono (rhythm guitarist), Ben Masirewa (lead guitarist), Malo Vaurasi (sound guy) and lead singer Petero Lalagavivi.
Masirewa took time out to share more about their band of musicians.
Q. Why the name FourQuarters?
We were filming videos for our YouTube page and as we were going over the footage we noticed the pants I wore was extremely long, three-quarter jeans but down to my ankles. There was a joke in there somewhere about how I’m fond of four-quarter jeans. Then we realised we enjoyed the ring, and also the symbolism. Anyone who is competent at fractions will tell you four quarters make a whole.
Q. What are your
favourite songs to play?
It depends on the mood. Sometimes funk-inspired rhythm, and other times blues, hard rock, Indie. But typically anything that challenges us as a whole, because a challenge is what inspires growth.
Q. Who are your biggest influences?
As far as our band goes, we’re all spread out musically. Andrea is heavily influenced by Indie rock, metal and punk.
Zen is deep into blues and funk. Petero’s vocal licks are often drawn from soul, RnB, and gospel. Naiqama enjoys pretty much anything with a good rhythm.
From daft punk-esque house music to dubstep, to Latin groove. As for myself, I’m heavily inspired by Rodrigo y Gabriela who are considered Nueovo Flamenco guitarists, Eric Clapton and Hendrix — prominent blues players.
Q. What’s the craziest thing that’s happened during your performance?
The craziest thing to happen to me was at a function on Desvouex Rd, Suva. The stage and the dance floor were on the same level, so people could just come up to us if they so wished.
There was a particular lady in the crowd who’d had a bit too much to drink so she came up to me and started dancing in front of me. She was so close in fact I had to play the guitar behind my head to keep her from spilling her drink on it.
Q. What’s your songwriting process?
Typically it’s quite different for each song. We haven’t gotten a formulaic process just yet but typically we’ll all sit down in a room and show each other parts or musical ideas and see if the others have any interesting parts that could layer over or under it. It works out quite well because we all seem to understand each other musically. So much so that it seems we complete each other’s musical sentences.
Q. Do you have plans to travel
to other countries as a band?
Certainly. I travelled to America last year and played solo in Minnesota, and we have plans to eventually tour together but for now there are more pressing matters.
Q. What’s has been your
biggest challenge as a band?
Keeping motivated, it’s difficult to do when you’re under social pressure and have deadlines at work or at school.
Q. How do you overcome
that challenge?
We just force ourselves to do it. Set alarms, wake up and practise. Forcibly encourage each other to practise. It’s difficult but worth it.
Q. What advice would you have for those thinking of starting a band?
Practise every day, a minimum of 30 minutes. To learn a new technique every week so that playing feels fresh and interesting. Do your own practice as well as learning pieces for your band. Try not to be complacent and sit on what you already know.
Q. What do you guys do for fun?
Play pool, talk smack to each other, make memes of each other, play practical jokes on each other and of course make great music.
