THOMAS OLIVER 'TENDERLY'

“'Tenderly' is a song whose message is that we need love just as we need air and water. I play Weissenborn on this track, and it has a deep, earthy groove, and a reggae-style bassline.” – Thomas Oliver

Thomas Oliver (Cushla Aston) is the guitar-laden, New Zealand singer songwriter that has been wooing crowds over since he smashed onto the music scene with his critically acclaimed and history-making album Beneath The Weissenborn back in 2013. With a massive fan base following in its wake, Thomas Oliver released his first vocalised album Floating In The Darkness in April, with hit singles ‘If I Move To Mars’, ‘Losin’ and now ‘Tenderly’ with an incredibly stunning video accompaniment to boot.

Having filmed the video in the stunning Australian Outback, ‘Tenderly’ boasts sweeping panoramic shots of a lone Oliver and guitar, dwarfed amongst the unrelenting dessert of South Australia’s Flinders Ranges. The vast undulating terrain of the scorching Australian Outback makes for the perfect backdrop to his cooing pleas of the relentless necessity of tender love, that builds to an increasingly intense guitar and bass jam. Complete with smooth vocal harmonies, soft, layered percussion and of course a Weissenborn and lap steel showcase like no other, ‘Tenderly’ is a stand out track on an already impressive album.

Of filming the video, Thomas says: “Because the arrangement has such an earthy feel, I just knew we had to shoot the music video in the Outback of Australia. The redness, the dryness, and the heat - it's perfect. We did most of the shooting at a place called Wilpena Pound, which is about six hours' drive from Adelaide. It was an amazing experience. It's archetypal Australia at its most beautiful, and it marries the music absolutely perfectly.”

After a successful first run of NZ tour dates, including two sold out Auckland and Wellington shows, Thomas is taking to the road on a solo trek around the South Island for a set of intimate shows in Takaka, Queenstown, Invercargill and Dunedin. Make sure to catch him in your town before he heads off for his Australian and European tours!

Since it’s release on April 28, Floating In The Darkness has taken the #1 spot on the New Zealand iTunes singer-songwriter chart, and the #5 spot on the Australian iTunes singer-songwriter chart, as well as debuting at #3 on the NZ Album Charts overall. ‘Tenderly’ also made Spotify’s New Music Friday and Viral Hits Australia and New Zealand playlists.

Thomas Oliver - Floating In The Darkness NZ Tour:
Tickets from thomasoliver.co.nz
 
Remaining solo shows:
Weds 24 May - Mussell Inn, Takaka
Fri 26 May - The Sherwood, Queenstown
Sat 27 May - Repertory House, Invercargill
Sun 28 May - Pequeno Lounge Bar, Dunedin

Show you're attending on Facebook HERE

THOMAS OLIVER 'FLOATING IN THE DARKNESS'

After a long wait, Thomas Oliver (Cushla Aston) has released his highly anticipated new album Floating In The Darkness, before embarking on his full New Zealand album tour (dates below)! To celebrate the album's release, Thomas also shares the brand new single and album opening track "Tenderly". Listen to the new track here.

Weighing in with 10 new songs that touch upon love, loss and the autobiographical, Floating In The Darkness features the Silver Scroll award-winning song "If I Move To Mars", the upbeat heart-warmer "Shine Like The Sun" and his recent single "Losin" (in case you missed it, watch the captivating Aston Rd Session here).

Recorded with the help of a few musical friends, the album is a raw, reflective body of work. Largely self-produced, written and mixed by Thomas himself, the album features an additional soul-stirring collaboration with renowned producer and composer, Rhian Sheehan ("Let It Be This One"), input from Grammy Award-winning mix engineer, Trina Shoemaker, and mastering by Vlado Meller.
 

Listen to Floating In The Darkness:
Listen / Purchase on Apple Music / iTunes HERE
Listen on Spotify HERE
Listen / Puchase on Google Play HERE
or pick up from a good record store near you!

As New Zealand Music Month kicks off next week, Thomas will begin his album tour of Aotearoa between May 5 - May 28. He will be accompanied by his full band (Sam Notman, Ed Zuccollo, Johnny Lawrence, Bella Florence) for the first four legs (Auckland, Leigh, Wellington & Christchurch) before hitting the road solo to round off his Floating In The Darkness NZ Tour. Make sure to see him in a town near you, before he crosses the ditch for a full Australian tour in June!

Thomas Oliver - Floating In The Darkness NZ Tour:
Tickets from thomasoliver.co.nz
 

Fri 5 May - The Tuning Fork, Auckland
Sat 6 May - Leigh Sawmill, Leigh
Fri 12 May - Blue Smoke, Christchurch
Sat 13 May - San Fran, Wellington
Weds 24 May - Mussell Inn, Takaka*
Fri 26 May - The Sherwood, Queenstown*
Sat 27 May - Repertory House, Invercargill*
Sun 28 May - Pequeno Lounge Bar, Dunedin*

THOMAS OLIVER 'LOSIN', ANNOUNCES NZ TOUR

Thomas Oliver (Cushla Aston) has revealed a stunning live performance of his heart-tuggingly emotive new single 'Losin', filmed recently for Aston Rd Sessions. Performed in a small, intimate space, Thomas is backed by Wellington-based vocalists Bella Florence, Ariel Bamborough, and Katie McCarthy-Burke, and Barrett Hocking on Flugelhorn for a chillingly good rendition.

'Losin' is the third single off his upcoming album, Floating In The Darkness, following on from his hearty previous single 'Shine Like The Sun' and the Silver Scroll award-winning hit, 'If I Move To Mars.'

As New Zealand Music Month kicks off in May, Thomas will tour the length and breadth of Aotearoa between May 5 - May 28. He will be accompanied by his full band (Sam Notman, Ed Zuccollo, Johnny Lawrence, Bella Florence) for the first four legs (Auckland, Leigh, Wellington & Christchurch) before hitting the road solo to round off his Floating In The Darkness NZ Tour. Make sure to see him in a town near you, before he crosses the ditch for a full Australian tour in June!

Thomas Oliver - Floating In The Darkness NZ Tour:
Fri 5 May - The Tuning Fork, Auckland
Sat 6 May - Leigh Sawmill, Leigh
Fri 12 May - Blue Smoke, Christchurch
Sat 13 May - San Fran, Wellington
Weds 24 May - Mussell Inn, Takaka*
Fri 26 May - The Sherwood, Queenstown*
Sat 27 May - Repertory House, Invercargill*
Sun 28 May - Pequeno Lounge Bar, Dunedin*

*solo shows
Tickets from thomasoliver.co.nz