SKINNY HOBOS SUBURBAN LIVING TOUR RELEASE
Skinny Hobos (Sam Holdom) are hitting the road once more, thumbing their way around the North Island with 7 block-busting shows this Music Month to support their third single ‘Suburban Living’, set for release on May 12th.
Skinny Hobos (Sam Holdom) are hitting the road once more, thumbing their way around the North Island with 7 block-busting shows this Music Month to support their third single ‘Suburban Living’, set for release on May 12th.
2017 has gotten off to a flyer for the powerhouse duo that is Alex Elvis and Texas Holdom, with a maiden performance at Homegrown backing up their first foray across the ditch, and they are set to carry that hot streak into the cold winter months. With ‘The Merchant of Tirau’ and ‘Jokers & Fools’ already well set in the Kiwi rock consciousness, Skinny Hobos promise to bring another whirlwind set of heavy hitting riffs and foot stomping beats to keep you grooving all night long, with some new tunes sprinkled in amongst your new old favourites.
Jumping on board for selected dates are Brendon Thomas & The Vibes, the psychedelic trio who have been tearing up New Zealand with their latest EP ‘Wrap You In The Sun’, produced by Split Enz’s Eddie Rayney. Their infectious hooks and soaring melodies create a beautiful cacophony of sound which needs to be seen to be truly experienced. Having shared a handful of stages over the last six months, Skinny Hobos and Brendon Thomas & The Vibes are beyond excited to bring their incredible live chemistry around the North Island together.
Tickets available from undertheradar.co.nz
ALDOUS HARDING ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM
On 19th May 2017, Aldous Harding (Liv Young) releases her second album, Party. Following the recent single ‘Horizon’ – a lover’s call to arms which also features on her 4AD/Flying Nun debut – her new track 'Imagine' has been released.
Aldous Harding Announces New Album
4AD/Flying Nun Debut Party Released On May 19, 2017
New Single ‘Imagining My Man’ + video
On 19th May 2017, Aldous Harding (Liv Young) releases her second album, Party. Following the recent single ‘Horizon’ – a lover’s call to arms which also features on her 4AD/Flying Nun debut – her new track 'Imagine' has been released.
Party was produced with the award-winning John Parish (PJ Harvey, Sparklehorse) in Bristol, a world away from Harding’s New Zealand home. As well as contributions from Parish, Perfume Genius’s Mike Hadreas lends vocals to the aforementioned ‘Imagining My Man’ and Party closer ‘Swell Does The Skull’.
Igniting interest with her eponymous debut album released just two years ago, Aldous Harding quickly became a name murmured on many lips. She’s known for her sinister torch songs, gentle laments and eerie odes delivered with a charismatic combination of hubris, shrewd wit and quiet horror. Party introduces a new talent to the stark and unpopulated dramatic realm where Kate Bush and Scott Walker reside.
‘Imagining My Man’ is an intensely intimate listen as Aldous explores the curiosity of a lover’s idiosyncrasies. The video was created by ‘Horizon’ director and editor Charlotte Evans and once again draws focus on Harding, tracking her movements throughout the city of Auckland.
“It has a fluidity that works nicely. I couldn't think of anything that would work better. I want people to feel calm, I was just trying to look friendly. It was also lovely being driven around Auckland City, I hadn't done that in a while.” says Harding.
To celebrate the release of Party, Aldous Harding will be performing in Europe. She will play four UK shows in London, Bristol, Glasgow and Manchester during the week of release, before heading to Europe in late May. The New Zealander will also bring her captivating live show to North America in June.
ALDOUS HARDING TOUR DATES:
May 18-19 - BRIGHTON, UK - The Great Escape
May 20 – PARIS, FR - L’Olympic Café [TICKETS]
May 21 – BRUSSELS, BE - Huis 23 [TICKETS]
May 22 – LONDON, UK - Omeara [TICKETS]
May 23 – BRISTOL, UK - Thekla [TICKETS]
May 24 – MANCHESTER, UK - The Ruby Lounge [TICKETS]
May 25 – GLASGOW, UK - Broadcast [TICKETS]
May 28 – AMSTERDAM, NE - Schellingwouderkerk [TICKETS]
May 29 – HAMBURG, GER - Nochtwache [TICKETS]
May 30 – BERLIN, GER - Auster Club [TICKETS]
June 3 – NELSONVILLE, OH, Nelsonville Music Festival
June 4 – NELSONVILLE, OH, Nelsonville Music Festival
June 5 – WASHINGTON, DC, DC9
June 6 – PHILADELPHIA, PA, Johnny Brenda’s
June 7 – ALLSTON, MA, Great Scott
June 11 – MONTREAL, QC, Le Divan Orange
June 12 – TORONTO, ON, Velvet Underground
June 13 – DETROIT, MI, El Club
June 14 – CHICAGO, IL, Empty Bottle
June 16 – ATLANTA, GA, The Earl
June 17 – NEW ORLEANS, LA, Gasa Gasa
June 19 – AUSTIN, TX, The Mohawk (Inside)
June 20 – EL PASO, TX, The Monarch
June 21 – TUCSON, AZ, Hotel Congress
June 22 – LOS ANGELES, CA, The Echo
June 23 – SAN DIEGO, CA, Soda Bar
June 24 – SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Swedish American Hall
July 28 - SALT LAKE CITY, UT - Kilby Court
July 29 – BOISE, ID, The Olympic
July 30 – SEATTLE, WA, Tractor Tavern
July 31 – VANCOUVER, BC, The Biltmore
August 2 – CALGARY, AB, The Palomino
August 3 - SPOKANE, WA - The Bartlett
August 13 -PALERMO, IT, Ypsigrock
August 17-20 – BRECON BEACONS, UK - Green Man Festival
August 25-27 – DEVON, UK - Sea Change Festival
September 1 - WILTSHIRE, UK - End Of The Road Festival
September 1-2 – SCOTLAND, UK - Electric Fields Festival
DUAL RELEASE SELF TITLED DEBUT EP
Psychedelic dance duo Dual (Rueben Bonner) have announced the release of their debut self-titled EP on Banished Music this April 14th and a coinciding New Zealand tour.
Psychedelic dance duo Dual (Rueben Bonner) have announced the release of their debut self-titled EP on Banished Music this April 14th and a coinciding New Zealand tour.
The duo combine dream-like vocals with driving drum beats and intoxicating riffs to create the Dual sound reminiscent of Jagwar Ma and The Stone Roses thrown through a filter created in a dilapidated bungalow in the Coromandel. A quiet confidence gained through years of performing together creates a synchronicity rarely seen in a duo. Hooks and gliding vocals punctuate each Dual track and create a sound entirely their own.
Their first single Yellow smashed it's way into the 95bFM top ten's #1 spot, and also took out the #1 spot on the NZ alternative airplay charts. Singles Kiss, and Vidgame arrived soon after, and their sound and the various club shows across the city that unfolded, cemented Dual's reputation coated in dirgy, late night splendour, and plastered with psychedelic projections.
With a Rhythm and Vines festival performance, and confirmed support slot for World Champion's Auckland show, 2017 is promising to be a busy year.
Don't miss Dual at a late night dive bar near you:
Thursday 6th April: Whammy Bar, Auckland
Friday 7th April: Yot Club, Raglan
Saturday 8th April: Caroline, Wellington
Thursday 13th April: Re:Fuel, Dunedin
Saturday 15th April: Darkroon, Christchurch
KIWI FAVOURITE MEL PARSONS TO TOUR WITH FULL BAND
Mel Parsons has spent the last few years dividing her time between touring the world and performing her solo show in some of New Zealand’s remotest woolsheds. But this May, the Kiwi favourite will embark on her first tour with a full band since 2015, taking in the country’s main centres.
Mel Parsons has spent the last few years dividing her time between touring the world and performing her solo show in some of New Zealand’s remotest woolsheds. But this May, the Kiwi favourite will embark on her first tour with a full band since 2015, taking in the country’s main centres.
Parsons will play San Fran in Wellington on May 4, Galatos in Auckland on May 5 and Blue Smoke in Christchurch on May 6.
The award-winning singer-songwriter is looking forward to returning to stages at these iconic venues, with the backing of a full band: “Taking my band out on the road is a special treat for me after touring solo for so long. I’m really excited about bringing the full sound back to these songs.”
Inspired by touring almost every inch of rural New Zealand with comedy duo The Bitches’ Box, Parsons will have special guests from the comedy world at each show, including country crooner Wilson Dixon direct from the USA; fringe festival favourite and political satirist James Nokise; and good kiwi bloke Keith 'The Numbers' Preene of Golden Goose fame.
Parsons - who was a Silver Scroll finalist in 2015 and the winner of the 2016 APRA Best Country Song Award - received critical acclaim for her last album DRYLANDS.
Drylands is an “exceptionally written, beautifully arranged and remarkably consistent album.” - The Music AU
“Drylands - Parsons' third album - is as confident, mature and consistent an album on the cusp of folk, folk-rock and country as anyone has a right to hear.” – Graham Reid / Elsewhere
The album spent 41 weeks in the IMNZ Album Charts, peaking at #2 and established Parsons’ place as one of New Zealand music’s most respected songwriters. She’s also well and truly earned her reputation as one of the hardest working musicians on the live circuit, with a European tour kicking off in May/June 2017.
Don’t miss your chance to see Mel Parsons live with her full band. She will be playing songs from DRYLANDS, as well as all the favourites from her back catalogue.
Tickets are on sale at eventfinda.co.nz from 9am Thursday March 16.
Wellington - 4th May at San Fran w/ James Nokise
Tickets here
Auckland - 5th May at Galatos w/ Wilson Dixon
Tickets here
Christchurch 6th May - at Blue Smoke w/ Keith 'The Numbers' Preene
Tickets here
THE CHILLS 'VIGOUROUS & FAR-REACHING NZ TOUR' APRIL/MAY 2017
Out on the tar sealed and gravelly roads this April and May, legendary Dunedin pop group The Chills (Scott Muir) have announced their embarkation on a vigorous and far-reaching New Zealand tour.
Out on the tar sealed and gravelly roads this April and May, legendary Dunedin pop group The Chills (Scott Muir) have announced their embarkation on a vigorous and far-reaching New Zealand tour.
Stopping in major musical centres Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, as well as key outreaches such as Whanganui, Paekakariki, Queenstown, Napier, Raglan, Mount Maunganui, and a performance in Invercargill as part of the Southland Festival Of The Arts.
Fronted by the rare talent of Martin Phillipps, The Chills were originally formed in 1980 and had a revolving cast of band members with Phillipps remaining the only constant. His knack for writing fantastic pop songs led to chart hits back home and a cult following around the world. With early releases via the legendary NZ label Flying Nun, The Chills produced a number of critically acclaimed recordings such as the single “Pink Frost” (their first hit) from the compilation album Kaleidoscope World and “Wet Blanket” from the LP Brave Words.
At the height of their success John Peel invited them in for a number of BBC sessions (1985/1987/1988) which were released for the first time late last year. They released the album Submarine Bells in 1990, where their single, “Heavenly Pop Hit” garnered much international praise and press. The band returned to NZ as national heroes and proceeded to release several more albums including Soft Bomb and Sunburnt.
With a few years hiatus due to health problems, Martin picked up The Chills again in ’99 and throughout the 00’s playing shows around the world and reaching a wider audience and gaining a cult following.
The energy of their live performances is the central reason why The Chills are remembered fondly in all thirty-nine of the countries that they have thus far visited. It’s the combination of this and the consistent quality of their songs which have established The Chills as one of the most well-known New Zealand groups to date - particularly in the US,UK and Europe.
The highly anticipated new album (the first in almost 20 years) Silver Bullets was released on 30th October 2015 on Fire Records to critical applause, and in June 2016 the band went on to play Primavera Festival, Spain and sold out New York City and London shows. Soon after, their jangling, iconic masterpiece Kaleidoscope World was re-released with additional tracks on Flying Nun on double gatefold vinyl to universal critical acclaim.
They are joined on their NZ tour by fellow Dunedin alumni and SIlver Scroll/ Taite Prize finalist Anthonie Tonnon, who's current live show combines a performance art-inspired approach to stagecraft, home-soldered technology, and dance moves.
Catch the band at a venue near you this April/ May:
Banished Music, Radio Hauraki and Under The Radar present
The Chills Vigorous and Far-reaching New Zealand tour
With support from Anthonie Tonnon*
April 26th - San Fran, Wellington
April 27th - St. Peter's Hall, Paekakariki
April 28th - The Cabana, Napier
April 29th - The Royal Wanganui Opera House, Whanganui**
May 4th - Blue Smoke, Christchurch
May 5th - The Scottish Hall, Invercargill***
May 6th - The Sherwood, Queenstown
May 11th - Totara St, Mount Maunganui
May 12th - The Raglan Club, Raglan
May 13th - The King's Arms, Auckland
Tickets From UnderTheRadar.co.nz
*Anthonie Tonnon plays all shows except Queenstown
** Tickets from www.royaloperahouse.co.nz
*** Tickets from http://www.ticketdirect.co.nz
SKINNY HOBOS AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Skinny Hobos (Sam Holdom) are making their first foray across the ditch to rock the socks off the Aussies before their maiden Homegrown appearance.
Skinny Hobos (Sam Holdom) are making their first foray across the ditch to rock the socks off the Aussies before their maiden Homegrown appearance.
Traveling with Melbourne/Hamilton nomads Cheshire Grimm to support their latest EP ‘Rain Or Shine’, the Hobos will be shacking up in Sydney on Thursday 23rd and Melbourne on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th of February, all with local support.
More details available at the following links:
SYDNEY - Thursday Feb 23rd - Brighton Up Bar w/ Rufflefeather and Shamanic
https://www.facebook.com/events/319427868451184/?ti=as
MELBOURNE PT 1 - Friday Feb 24th - Cherry Bar w/ Winter Moon, Logic Defies Logic
https://www.facebook.com/events/1369256679780564/?ti=as
MELBOURNE PT 2 - Saturday Feb 25th - Bar 303 w/ Them Rumblin’ Bones, Bronze, Scoundrel
GRAWLIXES 'SET FREE'
Grawlixes (Penelope Esplin) are a Wellington-by-way-of-Dunedin indie-folk band intent on inserting themselves into your brain with their intelligent, infectious songs about relationships and not being invited to parties. Set Free is about the moment after a relationship’s end where you start to develop a truthful perspective about what has happened, what you have learnt and how life - wonderfully - will go on.
Grawlixes (Penelope Esplin) are a Wellington-by-way-of-Dunedin indie-folk band intent on inserting themselves into your brain with their intelligent, infectious songs about relationships and not being invited to parties.
Continuing the great lineage of artists who bring sadness to their sprightly melodies, Grawlixes’s music often deals in the melancholy with self-deprecating honesty and beautiful boy-girl harmonies, sung by co-founders Robin Cederman and Penelope Esplin.
A recent signee to Home Alone records, following an extensive European tour supporting now label-mates French for Rabbits, Grawlixes will be releasing their debut album ‘Set Free’ in July.
"Set Free is about the moment after a relationship’s end where you start to develop a truthful perspective about what has happened, what you have learnt and how life - wonderfully - will go on."
With Thanks to SecondHand News
DICTAPHONE BLUES NZ TOUR
It's been just over two years since the release of Mufti Day, and for Auckland indie guitar pop merchants Dictaphone Blues (Reuben Bonner), it's been nearly as long since the band hit the road too. So to finish off the kiwi summer in hip fashion, that's exactly what they're going to do.
It's been just over two years since the release of Mufti Day, an album that featured the four alt radio hit singles Lance's Tape, Her Heart Breaks Like A Wave, Cryptic Lipstick and 365 (feat. Emily Edrosa). For Auckland indie guitar pop merchants Dictaphone Blues (Reuben Bonner), it's been nearly as long since the band hit the road too, so to finish of the kiwi summer in hip fashion, that's exactly what they're going to do. Songs old and (a few) new will be aired as the band gear up for a busy 2017.
The last 18 months has seen Dictaphone Blues singer-songwriter Edward Castelow busy producing recordings for other acts in his Mezzanine Studio in Mt. Eden. Dad Jokes, Bryony Matthews, The Conjurors, Blazing Shade, Borneo, Lacuna, Black Science and Thee Rum Coves have all been through and recorded either albums or EPs, keeping Ed's appetite for recording whet while not focusing on his own songs.
Come the end of 2016, some new material emerged from the aural realms and Ed set about demoing these new ideas. These new songs made it into the hands of revered UK producer Dave Eringa (The Who, Manic Street Preachers, Idlewild and Kylie Minogue) who will be working alongside Ed in the production of a new record.
Catch the band at a venue near you this March:
Thursday 2nd March: Blue Smoke, Christchurch w/ Best Bets
Friday 3rd March: Refuel, Dunedin w/ Salad Boys
Saturday 4th March: Nostalgia Festival, Christchurch.
Friday 10th March: AUSA Orientation in Albert Park, Auckland (Day Show)
Friday 10th March: Leigh Sawmill Cafe, Leigh w/ Herriot Row
Saturday 11 March: The Cabana, Napier w/ Special guests
Thursday 16th March: The Wine Cellar, Auckland w/ Fantis Atlantis (AUS)