REVIEW: The Gracious Deviants and Tommy Pickett

THE GRACIOUS DEVIANTS / TOMMY PICKETT
BAR BODEGA
WEDNESDAY 30 MAY

By Charlette Hannah

It was a quiet Wednesday night. The students were on the street smoking in their pyjamas as usual as we headed down Willis St to Bodega.

Walking into the bar, I was a little disappointed by the turn out. Ok, it was the middle of the week, but this is the capital city. Don’t we have a thriving music scene? Where’s the support?

At least the audience members that were there seemed to appreciate the music – the applause was enough for double the crowd. And it was well deserved. The Gracious Deviants started off the show, and did two sets of their melodic acoustic folk songs. Two male singer/guitarists, with particularly good harmonies, their songs were described by fellow performer Tommy Pickett as ‘bits of chocolate, one after the other’. At one point he paused while talking to me to listen to ‘a particularly good bit of chocolate’.

Then Tommy got up himself, to ‘warm down’ for the band he was supposed to be warming up for. After explaining he’d double booked himself and had just rushed from a gig at the Hotel Bristol, he proceeded to play his own unique style of acoustic folk/Americana. Tommy has a real smooth voice, and a confident guitar style. He also has commendable between songs chatter. I’m always impressed by that. Probably more than I should be.

REVIEW: Strictly138

STRICTLY138
SANDWICHES
FRIDAY 25 MAY
By Lucy Wyatt

Seriously rockin up the dance floor at Sandwiches, Strictly138 are truly Wellington’s bass weight. After the incredible success of London’s Digital Mystikz on our shores, this crew gave us a taste of the sound that is dubstep. With this moody fusion of dub, breakbeat and 2-step these deep tunes were pumped out by Kaps, P-Vans, Steepa-D, Flex and MC M.Tekka. Imon Star hit the stage with his quality sound, promoting his “afro futuristic roots” band Olmecha Supreme, with his lyrical voice giving us the blast we have missed from his days with Rhombus.

Dubstep takes music to another level, and Strictly138 are definitely the boys to do this. The vibe was one of clear approval and the crowd were a collective of smiles and deep pumping moves with the sound system shaking up the venue. The beats totally mess up your mind, and tracks such as P-Vans’ “Ghost Pennies” haunt your soul with an eerie, intelligent ambience. The bass vibrates through your body, resulting in a full sensory experience. As dance music progresses up another notch, New Zealand is adamant not to be left behind the rest of the world.

Strictly138 offers an unforgettable night with their array of local bass culture. The captivated crowd at Sandwiches were built up to a happy, sweaty finish as this dynamic session wound up. It is true to say that our lips have been well and truly wettened with a taste of the future sound of music that pushes the boundaries of what we knew and loved before. It’s all about variety and with so many wicked roots, dub and indie bands emerging, it’s so refreshing that the dj’s are keeping up with the progression forward, offering a new, and inspiring sound to dance to. Keep a look out for your next dubstep fix, but be warned these boys mean business.

GIGS: Nine Signals and more

WEDNESDAY 30 MAY

- Bar Bodega
The Gracious Deviants and Tommy Pickett
Gold coin entry. 8.30pm

THURSDAY 31 MAY

-Happy
Nine Signals, Captain Sergeant Major, Hannah's Son & Vade, Feelix Fielding.
You can get in free if you bring a flier from Slow Boat, have student ID, or are in a group of nine. But if you pay your $5 on the door you go in the draw to win a free EP.

- Bar Bodega
The Spines 9pm

FRIDAY 22 JUNE

-Zeal
Take Down Lucy (feat 7-String Orchestra), Whispers for Warning, Streetwise Scarlet.
8pm $5

NEWS: Hollie Smith signs to BlueNote Records

By Charlette Hannah

What a great end to New Zealand music month! Hollie Smith, Wellington soul singer/songwriter, has sign to the Manhattan Record label, part of the prestigious BlueNote group. Fellow label-mates include Norah Jones, Van Morrison, Tim Finn and Cassandra Wilson, and formerly Miles Davis and Thelonius Monk.
It's so inspiring to see a young female New Zealander recognised by an international label. The story is almost like a movie - label president Bruce Lundvall heard two of her songs while driving in his car, and instantly recognised her talent. "I think Hollie is simply an original and I don't know where she is going to end up going in terms of her direction," he says. "She's certainly a soul singer, but obviously there are soul singers everywhere. She happens to be one of the good ones. Really one of the best I've heard in a long time and that's where we start. She's also a good writer, a beautiful woman . . . She simply has that star quality you can't describe."
Hollie's management was contacted, and after a week spent in New York, she signed to the label, which will take her recently released album Long Player, to the world.
For the full story, visit Hollie's MySpace

GIGS: Cherry's Gemstones and more

Some gigs coming up. Sent to me by Cherry. Just as a note, the plan is to have the best gig guide out on Wellington Live Music. There are loads of other plans in the works as well, so keep checking back. If there's something you think we should do, post a comment or email me!

THURSDAY 31 MAY

- Valve
Fanucman and House of Spore

- San Francisco Bathhouse
Bonnie Scarlettes and Grand Prix

SATURDAY 2ND JUNE

-San Francisco Bathhouse
Vacants (Hamilton) PLUS OTHERS!

FRIDAY 22ND JUNE

-San Francisco Bathhouse
Cortina, Cherry's Gemstones, Hot Swiss Mistress, Knife Fight, Pumice, PLUS 5 MORE

SATURDAY 23 JUNE

- Mighty Mighty
Labretta Suede and the Motel Six CD RELEASE PARTY

FRIDAY 29TH JUNE

-Wellington City Art Gallery
Cherry's Gemstones, Cortina and Vjettes

- Tupelo
Ginger Brown, Twinset, Chery Gemstone Solo

FRIDAY 13TH JULY

- The Adelaide
*Enchantment Under The Sea*
Chesea's Gemstones, Sea Cruizer, Heavy Sea Turkey, Sea Quest

SATURDAY 14TH JULY

-Mighty Mighty
Wild Trash Rockabilly Party

REVIEW: The Midnights

THE MIDNIGHTS
BAR BODEGA
FRIDAY 18 MAY
By Lucy Wyatt

Fresh, young and seriously reggae The Midnights hit the stage at Bar Bodega on Friday night supporting the groovers that are Dubdoubt. A 100% New Zealand band based in Auckland, The Midnights feature members Leo Horgan (guitar and vocals), Joe Keating (bass), Chris Varnham (organ), and Berin Hunter aka B-Dog (drums). These boys are putting the raw roots back into reggae with their mellow Kiwi tip and their tightly fused live performance. The rather quiet crowd at Bodega got warmed up quickly as The Midnights pushed the levels up with their freestyle, improvised jamming.

Revving up the mood a little with a reggae fusion, incorporating twists of ska, R&B, experimental jazz and soul. Leo’s voice has a surprisingly mature and experienced edge, combined with his wide and radiant smile; he has all the ingredients of a charismatic front man. The Midnights already have an established following due to their strong array of gigs performed in the last year. Supporting the cream of New Zealand’s crop and reinforcing their status with a music video for the track Sweet Togetherness that got aired on all the main music channels, The Midnights are truly going places. Outside Looking In saw a familiar response from the crowd, perhaps recognized from the album Conscious Roots 3.

True Progress has a very catchy rift and some true ragga MC’ing producing a very solid, rounded reggae track that would not be out of its depth playing at international festivals. A collection of goodies behind them, including their limited edition ep Hot Country, The Midnights are not shy to push their ripened sound forward where they are destined to be. Projecting such a relaxed style and what seems like an effortless tightness, this is what you expect to hear and feel from a unique soulful reggae act. Keep an eye on The Midnights as they certainly won’t be crashing early.

REVIEW: DubDoubt

DUBDOUBT
BAR BODEGA
FRIDAY 18 MAY
By Lucy Wyatt

The summer has drawn to a close, but the sun is endlessly shining with the sound of Dubdoubt. The Sunshine and Scenery NZ Tour bought this Brisbane based band to Wellington’s Bar Bodega. Comprising of four Aussies, John Ruggles (guitar), Euan Gray (saxophone and vocals), Mitch Ruggles (bass) and Darren Skaar (trumpet and vocals). Combined with two Kiwis members, Nic Ramsden (drums) and Hayden Andrews (lead vocals, synth and percussion). These lads are a truly funky act. Grooving together since 2001 their music is a fusion of swinging jazz, dub, hip-hop and reggae.

The turn out at Bodega was a bit on the light side, but Dubdoubts’ uplifting energy ensured that their audience got their groove on. Playing alongside New Zealand’s hottest talent in the past at such acclaimed gigs as Soundsplash (Raglan) and Big Day Out (Gold Coast), Dubdoubt are certainly creating waves across the trans-Tasman ocean. These funksters have a lot to offer, pumping out such songs as Lack of Inspiration - so tightly produced it’s a catchy track that contently sticks in your head for days. Again Always Manage To Get High fills you with both warmth and happy dancing feet due to its infectious hip-hop vibe.

Hayden’s mixture of retro coolness, (his wardrobe speaks for itself), sets the tone for these thoroughly laid-back musicians. The 12-8 horns as they refer to themselves (both Darran and Euan are 6ft 4), really pump up the buzz, pulling together this solid, sublime groove. The acid jazz strength in Insect Eyes kicks out a cheeky little number, which was received with a rocking, admiring atmosphere. On tour with yet another fresh talented Kiwi band The Midnights, I would recommend that if you missed this gig and their free set at Te Papa, you need to get in the know and sort your act out as Dubdoubt are pure quality that are not to be missed again.

REVIEW: Rhombus

RHOMBUS - ONWARDS TOUR
SANDWICHES
FRIDAY 11 MAY
By Lucy Wyatt

Launching their Onwards tour, Rhombus’ first landing was Wellington’s Sandwiches to introduce their new crew. Plugging last year’s much needed international release of Onwards: Remixes and Archives, the culturally diverse crowd were eager to hear where Rhombus were at. With the band’s dynamic, (some would say crucial) front man, Imon Star’s departure last year, now directing his energy on his new group Olmecha Supreme, Rhombus have felt their vocalists’ loss. Formed in 2001, this tour is a symbol of change and a new structure looking ahead. Now spreading their voice and the spirit of their past successful albums Bass Player and Future Reference, throughout New Zealand, Australia and Japan.

The remix of Swans gracefully glides through the air, with Lisa Tomlin’s deeply soulful brilliance soaring high. Again with DJ Fitchie and Tony Chang’s funky mix up of Mile High, Lisa’s voice is a strength that adds to Rhombus’ depth, ensuring the crowd were all positive smiles and dancing feet. Sticking with the ladies here, Raashi Malik’s voice enlightens the band with her Indian roots. Her voice encapsulates her Eastern culture and again Raashi’s glowing input was widely respected and embraced by the expressive and contented crowd.

MC Antsman and Lisa Tomlin together had it going on with Future Reference, proving to be a favorite on the dance floor. Spaceman was part of their second encore allowing a nostalgic grin and MC Mana’s lyrical blast in Onward also kicked things up nicely with a heartfelt dub vibe. It is true to say the energy isn’t the same with the lack of Imon and Aaron, but the remixes are tight and their travels ahead could add another level to this band’s lifespan. As long as they keep producing the quality sounds of the old Rhombus, their original and future fans shall not be disappointed.

REVIEW: Tommmy and OdESSA

OdESSA / TOMMY
BAR BODEGA
SATURDAY 12 MAY

By Charlette Hannah

I have not yet seen Bodega as packed out as it was for the Tommy gig on Saturday. Tommy's homecoming show on their 'Tomorrow I Might Go' album release tour included old friends OdESSA.

It was my first time seeing OdESSA – I had heard great things about them, but for some reason had never gotten round to going to one of their gigs. Which was most unfortunate, as I quickly learned. These guys are on fire! I don’t think I have ever seen such a showy front-man in a New Zealand band, but the dance moves are not to hide a lack of talent. This guy can sing! OdESSA are great to listen to and interesting to watch. Really funky, sophisticated songs. I would recommend going to see them whatever mood you’re in.

However I really went to see Tommy, probably the first New Zealand band I became a ‘fan’ of back in the vicinity of ‘98-’99. Tommy’s reggae influenced pop/rock is upbeat, full of soul, and rhythmically, tunefully and lyrically intelligent. After a personnel change, Tommy have been on a massive nationwide tour.

Tommy himself is a brilliant performer. At one point in the show he broke a string, and instead of handing the guitar to a roadie or stopping the show while he changed it, he informed us the band was going to jam. Bass followed drums and the keyboards soon joined in. Then Tommy himself starting freestyling over the music. I don’t know where he comes up with that stuff! He continued to lyricise while still winding on the string. He looked infinitely comfortable on stage, and his soft yet metallic voice was great as always. The new band members held up their end well, the bassist in particular stood out.

Finishing with my all-time favourite – The Magpie Song, Tommy had the audience in tears and with their arms around each other. Pretty strong stuff.

Tommy's MySpace

OdESSA's site

REVIEW: Hannah Curwood

HANNAH CURWOOD and EMMA BONIFACE
HAPPY BAR
SATURDAY 5 MAY
By Charlette Hannah

Happy Bar is a relatively new discovery for me. A good one! I used to live just over the road from Happy in Vivian St, yet it wasn’t until a couple of months ago that I ventured into the depths of the most positive bar around. Ok, lame jokes that aren’t even slightly funny aside, I think its great that people go there and actively listen to the music, rather than it being background to drinking.

Emma Boniface opened for Hannah, playing rocky acoustic songs. She has an interesting vocal delivery, with a great range and pleasant voice. She introduced my favourite of her set as her ‘cheesy’ song – Hello Stranger. I actually thought it was a really unique and well written song, and not at all cheesy. However, some of her songs lost me a little.

Hannah then took the stage with guitarist Tom, who proceeded to play the most amazing guitar, despite what appeared to be a strong visual impediment (namely, hair). He was in total control of the instrument, and complemented Hannah’s acoustic playing brilliantly.

Hannah herself has a lovely voice, with a full dynamic range, from very soft, to powerfully loud. Not many singers have the guts to sing softly, it seems to all be about how loud you can be sometimes. Her songs were also dynamic, interesting and finely crafted. Her banter between songs was measured just right, and really added to the performance as a whole. Full of emotion, some were upbeat and some a little sadder, with an appropriately autumnal feel to them. (Have you ever noticed the regularity with which the song playing in the background at any given time perfectly suits your mood and situation no matter where you are?)

The other thing that was great about the gig? Emma started just after 8pm! That’s probably what decided me in favour of going to Happy as opposed to any of the other options on Saturday night. Come on Wellington, let’s start playing music a bit earlier! Maybe everyone else is charged on energy drinks and party pills, and other assorted substances, but some people just want to dance or enjoy some music without having to try and stay awake. Starting gigs at 10 or 11 is so not cool in my books. Bring on the musical revolution that has nothing to do with the actual music, I say. Does anyone agree with me? Or do I just need to toughen up? (Toughening up in my world basically means more naps.)

http://www.myspace.com/hannahcurwood
http://www.myspace.com/emjayboniface

Wellington Live Music takes on news

I know you all like visiting Wellington Live Music for reviews and interviews with your favourite local bands. I also know it's not quite enough to hold your attention all the time...

I love the internet. I can't see your names, but I know what city you visit from, and when. It's awesome. I can count how many people visit each day, and how many pages you look at.

So I get worried when less people visit on a certain day, and I know WHY you don't. Because sometimes I am a nanna and don't go and watch bands and review them when I should. Especially when it's raining. Or interview them. Interviewing is so much fun. Transcribing the interview is not.

So I have decided it is time for Wellington Live Music to expand. Ta da!

Now, you will be able to find news about local and national bands like who's forming, joining, taking a sabbatical, touring, writing, making babies (actually, scrap that one), releasing EP's, etc. We'll also extract music related news from sources all over the world.

Also, if you are an aspiring writer, or just have an opinion or discover something, feel free to send it in. Both my email and Hans' emails are on the main page, so we're easy to contact. Even when I'm not a nanna and do go out, there are more bands than I could see in a night, so it would be great to have another reviewer on the job.