With a bunch of singles out on Spotify, a growing cohort of followers playing their songs on repeat, and a collection of paid gigs under their belts, Imperfect Circles is hitting a lot of right notes.
The band is made up of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Morgan Grove-Roberts, drummer Tobin van Boekhout-McKenzie, Theo Hansen on lead guitar and Alex Lightfoot who gives the music fullness and backbone on bass.
They all attend Motueka High School, grabbing opportunities to practise during lunchtimes, or gathering at Morgan’s house or at Riwaka School after hours so that they can play longer and louder.
The three guys have been making music together for more than five years.
Morgan is a new recruit, joining the band last year when they decided they needed a dedicated vocalist – as well as someone to write.
As the lyricist, Morgan says she uses a lot of metaphors in her music.
“Sometimes I just sit down and write anything that comes into my mind, whether it’s two pages or a sentence.”
Imperfect Circles’ songs sometimes start with the lyrics, and at other times, Theo establishes a melody that the bandmates all build their parts around.
Each has a different Imperfect Circles song that they most enjoy.
Theo’s is Waves, while Tobin is enjoying the Spotify success of Bite My Teeth.
“That’s the one we get the best feedback from,” he says.
He also loves the slow build of Haze.
Alex loves performing Change Me – the bass riff carries the entire song.
They take inspiration from their own playlists, and between them they listed their favourite genres as surf jazz, 90s grunge, acoustic and various types of rock.
Although they have settled into their defined roles within the band, the musicians have all dabbled with other instruments. Theo started playing the drums at 10, but taught himself the guitar at 12, captivated by “the freedom of the fretboard”.
Tobin, meanwhile, has also learned the guitar and bass, and started playing the drums at primary school.
The appeal?
“I can hit things hard,” he says with a laugh.
Alex is a guitar player originally, switching to bass last year because that was the sound that the band needed.
Morgan, who also plays the ukelele and piano, says that she loves the freedom of creating music.
“There’s no boundaries,” the 15-year-old says.
