The Phoenix Foundation

Outstanding indie band The Phoenix Foundation take centre-stage on Sunday, 17 February, to help the Asian Rhino Project.

The Phoenix Foundation formed in 1997 when good friends Conrad Wedde, Samuel Flynn Scott and Luke Buda decided to stop playing metal and work on a more diverse and dynamic sound- a change of direction to reflect their evolving musical experiences.

Having jammed for a couple of years, recorded 'This Charming Van' and released the 'China Cove' EP in 2000 they were joined by Richie Singleton (drums), Will Ricketts (percussion, etc) Tim Hansen (bass) in 2001.

Their first full length album 'Horsepower' was released in mid 2003 which included singles as 'This Charming Van' and 'Let Me Die A Woman' which received extensive airplay on alternative radio stations such as 95bFM. The video for the album's first single was made by esteemed director/producer Richard Bell (One Collective) and went on to win the Knack award at the NZ Music Video Awards.

Their second album 'Pegasus' was released in early 2005 with Warner Emery replacing Tim Hansen on bass.

The band recorded the original score to the Taika Waititi film, Eagle vs Shark in early 2006 which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in 2007.

The Phoenix Foundation released their third album, Happy Ending in September 2007.