Ra was a last minute addition to the band, at the insistence of Iggy Pop himself. Who are we to argue with the godfather of punk? Read on to find out what Ra's experience playing with Iggy live via Orcon broadband was like.

Full name: Ra Ata O Te Ngahere Douglas Inta (no kidding!)

Legal name: Ra Ata Inta

Age: 32

Region: Seddonville, Buller, (currently Canberra, Australia)

Instruments played: The fool, guitar and the carrot/wok-lid

Instrument playing on The Passenger: Guitar: A two colour sunburst Fender Telecaster with pearl scratch-plate

Why did you enter the audition?: For a chance to play with 'The Iguana' himself, of course! Also I used this song as an exercise to apply a technique called 'cascading harmonics' a friend had showed me, although I didn't use this in the actual song.

How long / many times did you practise the song?: I only found out about the auditions a few days before the deadline, so I didn't have my 'chops up' as much as I would have liked!  But the song is a simple---yet solid---progression. This can make for very powerful songs.

How many takes did you do?: I don't know. I took a fair bit of time to get the props and the set right. Also, I was trying to give the intro of the song  a slightly different feel, which was going out of the rhythm of the click (backing) track.

What was the best part of the audition?: Playing with Iggy Pop! What can I say? He's still got it. When he was interacting with all the band members, you could immediately tell he's a pro. He knew *exactly* what he wanted out of each member. He also tore strips off his technicians, who just got on and did the job. It was fascinating to witness and be part of the process. I felt very privileged.

How many Iggy Pop records do you own / songs do you know?: Two: 'Lust for Life' and 'New Values'.

What was it like playing with Iggy via the Internet?: What do you think? Just get out your Roget's Thesaurus and look up 'Awesome'.

What was the highlight of the day recording with Iggy?: Probably the bit where Iggy was admiring my 'axe'. I thought he meant my guitar, and I started blethering on about it, and he said "No, I mean your AXE!!!". He meant the axe stuck in the chopping block next to my amp. It was a crack-up!

What does this opportunity mean to you?: Wow, I have no idea yet. It really hasn't sunk in yet, it actually feels like it happened to someone else! Maybe this could be my platform to launch my Beatnik poetry career...