Biography
Family Cactus are a band from Wellington, New Zealand, known for their orchestral approach to indie pop and psych-folk. At their peak a seven-piece ensemble, the group wove together guitars, organs, piano, synth, autoharp, and additional instrumentation to build lush, expansive arrangements far removed from typical guitar band templates.
Their debut album Come Howling (2009) was recorded and mixed by Dr. Lee Prebble at The Surgery studio in Wellington and mastered at Trident Studios by Mike Gibson. The album was released on Arch Hill Recordings (AHR044). Adam Ladley served as the primary songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, joined by Peter Smith on bass and electric guitar, Kris Taylor on drums, Sam Norton on keyboards, Max Walker on guitar and synth, Graeme Cummack on guitars and organ, and Nina Siegler contributing vocals and autoharp, along with additional musicians on vibraphone, timpani, and trumpet.
Their second album, Spirit Lights (2011), also on Arch Hill Recordings, continued in a similarly lush vein, featuring ten tracks that refined the band’s layered, warmly textured sound.
Members
- Adam Ladley (vocals, guitars, organs, synths, piano)
- Peter Smith (bass, electric guitars)
- Kris Taylor (drums)
- Sam Norton (keyboards)
- Max Walker (guitar, synth)
- Graeme Cummack (guitars, organ)
- Nina Siegler (vocals, autoharp)
Discography
- Come Howling (2009) – Arch Hill Recordings (AHR044)
- Spirit Lights (2011) – Arch Hill Recordings