#MusicExchange: December Streets confront the "Haters"

The band is also proud to announce the release of their new single titled “Haters”, which was unveiled three weeks ago.

The band attribute the track’s creation from growing up with a lot of haters casting shade on their dreams of being in a successful band, but instead of letting the negativity get to them, they channelled their negativity into a powerful drive to prove them wrong.

Years later, they finally have the opportunity to use their platform and success to share this message to any underdogs or outliers out there, who feel the hurt and impact others (consciously or not) have on them with insensitive judgments

I spoke to Tristan Coetzee, the frontman of the band, last week.

The new decade means:

Opportunity to rebuild contacts. We’re also headed into our 30s, so all the adventure that entails too I suppose.

Fame is about:

Fame is a fast track to realising there is so much more to life than attention and value in other’s options of oneself.

Retirement will happen when:

I close my eyes for the last time.

I don't do:

Nine to five.

What does music mean to you?

Music is directly attached to my level of happiness. When creating I’m at my best, internally and externally, and the opposite is true too.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?

The number of relationships I get to build through meeting so many varying individuals, all with their own ideas and networks to navigate life. We’ve learnt a bunch from this.

Any funny moments on stage?

I put a couple of profane Easter-eggs (directed at each band member) into the click tracks that tell us when the song starts. We’re typically the only one’s ability to hear this, but at a family event, the sound engineer played this through the front of the house...I was mortified!

Your heroes:

Chris Martin of Coldplay for his music-writing skills. Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic for similar skills and his ability to balance being a world-class songwriter, frontman of a globally successful band and his family. My folks (cheesy I know) but they taught me to appreciate life.

What is your most treasured possession?

At the moment, my Kindle and my laptop.

It’s your round, what are you drinking?

Tequila, It always fires up the energy

What makes you stand out?

Ask the people around me about this one, please.

If you were not a musician, what would you do?

Film director, I love the art of storytelling through a visual format.

Pick five words to describe yourself?

An old Wood door (stubborn); freefall (seeking the thrill); a Volkswagen VW (driven); 3.15am (endless energy); labrador (loyal).

Favourite SA album of all time: 

Thieve - Extra Ordinary (mind-blowingly brilliant)

Favourite fashion garment:

High-top Converse all-stars.

Give us some real proper slang and what it means:

Bosmeg (my moms Hungarian) - look it up, please.

Top of your bucket list:

Live fearlessly.

What do you complain about most often?

I don’t really complain, but I will moan about a hangover. Those are getting worse by the year.

What is your fear?

That there is nothing more after this life.

On stage, I tend to:

Have the time of my life.

The best life lesson you have been taught?

That once you program/open yourself up to it, you never stop learning and growing. It’s very easy to forget this.

Do you do charity work and, if you do, what do you do?

I do (not often enough though) - I love to help the SPCA, dogs are my weak point.

Wishes and dreams:

That my niece (Milah) has a glorious life! For myself, I hope to stay close to my friends; I’m blessed with a couple of those. I also hope that I am able to hop around the globe, exploring new places, meeting new people and tasting strange food.

Oh, and for our new single, “Haters”, to reach number one.

Social media:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | SoundCloud | iTunes

www.decemberstreets.com