SAM THOMSON - DRAX PROJECT

Words by Brittany Baker

He’s performed at hot events such as Rhythm & Vines, toured with legends Christina Aguilera and Camila Cabello, and opened for major artists including SIX60 and Ed Sheeran. But Drax Project bass guitarist Sam Thomson’s climb to the top has only begun. - @sammytisme

 The New Zealand band attracted international attention following the release of Woke Up Late , which quickly climbed to the top of the charts. It earned the four-man band a record deal in the United States, where they have been based since 2019 to work on new music.

“It’s pretty crazy. We’re lucky to live in an age where technology makes it possible to get what you do out to the world.”

Thomson was raised in New Plymouth in a household full of musical instruments with piano teacher mum and former musician dad.

“They would play heaps of different kinds of music all the time. I think having instruments in a household opens the door to that for kids.”

He played the piano for a while until he realised the type of music he listened to didn’t have it and ventured into the bass guitar.

“I enjoyed the challenge to do something that was beyond me, which helped me get better.”

Thomson then moved to Wellington to attend the New Zealand School of Music - where he met the other members of and formed, Drax Project.

“We were just a group of friends who enjoyed playing music and decided we wanted to play music together. Making the decision to do it despite the fact we weren’t initially making a living from it was hard, and at times you question if it’s going to work out. But we’ve been very fortunate to have been given the opportunities we have.”

Drax Project has just released their self titled album - curated in both New Zealand and the United States - and are working on another. Thomson says each member of the band is responsible for lyrics with everyone working their hardest to produce the best work.

“Musically, we all go through different interests, but at the same time we really want to write the best music that we can.”

Drax Project returns to Taranaki to play at Oakura’s Butlers Reef January 3rd followed by a string of shows across the country, including Havelock North, Nelson and

Coromandel.

“I hope we can continue to do this for a long time. Eventually, I hope it inspires other people to do music.”