Check out the second of our band member profiles. This time we catch up with Charley Davenport, our cellist.

Full name: Charles Henry Harbert Davenport

Age: 30

Region:  Paraparaumu

Instruments played: Cello & bass guitar

Instrument playing on The Passenger: Cello

Why did you enter the audition?: It seemed obvious to me that Iggy would want the cello in the mix! I've enjoyed playing bass along to a few of his songs and thought this was a really unique opportunity. The cello is a versatile instrument and is great fun to play - anything from solo music to bands, orchestras and operas.

How long / many times did you practise the song?: Hmm... I had known the song for some time, but this was the first time I've worked it out on cello. When I first heard about the audition, conveniently, I imagined cello lines on my daily train ride into Wellington. Deadline looming, I was hassled into getting it together (probably so I would stop talking about it!) I stayed up late one night to practice the lines and made a rough recording.
How many takes did you do?: Many, late into the night.

What was the best part of the audition?: I like the rhythmic lines in the second half building into the double-stops / grunty chords into the finish. I have more ideas to run by Iggy to see what he'd like. I was speechless when I found out I was selected.

How many Iggy Pop records do you own / songs do you know?:  Two. I played bass in a punk/ska band called Noseless Nixon back at university in the US. We played some Iggy covers. Last year I taught a group of primary school students to play Real Wild Child.

What was it like playing with Iggy via the internet?: Playing with Iggy was surreal. During the setup and hearing random voices from all the streams was funny and bordering on the existential: 'I can hear me and see you, but can't hear you and see me...!'

Iggy was really cool and easy to talk to about the song. He was enthusiastic about my cello lines, which was inspiring. Iggy and I had a short chat about harmony lines I could try out. He left it open for me and the crew to experiment and lay down more tracks. The audio and film crew were great to work with and I couldn't have been any more comfortable.

What was the highlight of the day recording with Iggy?: I really enjoyed the whole experience, but the highlight for me was watching Iggy grooving along to what I was recording: "Cello! F----ing beautiful!" Watching him record his vocals, responding and reacting to the sound of our  whole crazy band is something I'll never forget. I can't wait to hear the final mix.

What does this opportunity mean to you?: Impossible to know! This has sparked thoughts about how easy it is to collaborate musically with anyone around the world, almost instantaneously. What else can I say? It was thrilling to record with the legend Iggy Pop.