Friday, 31 August 2007

REVIEW: Johnny Corker

JOHNNY CORKER
HAPPY BAR
THURSDAY 23 AUGUST
Words and Photo's by Charlette Hannah



It was a real family affair at Happy on Thursday, with Tim Beals and his sister Holly, and then Johnny Corker performing with his partner Julie Thompson. It’s always interesting to see the way solo or duo acts create dynamics, and Johnny and Julie did it in an unusual way, with Julie playing a cello as the second instrument.

Sometimes plucking the strings as a bass line, and sometimes playing it with a bow, creating a melancholic monotone, Julie complemented Johnny’s confident and smooth folky voice and guitar playing. Johnny used his new tremolo pedal often and to good effect.

Julie’s voice probably wouldn’t be strong enough to lead, although she could have been holding back, but it was lovely for backing vocals. The music was almost too soft and sweet at times, but so charming and easy to listen to.

They moved on to some more upbeat songs later in the set, and Johnny’s gentle humour pervaded the whole performance. They were down from Auckland for the Wellington release of Johnny Corker's self titled album.

REVIEW: Tim Beals

TIM BEALS
HAPPY BAR
THURSDAY 23 AUGUST
Words and Photo's by Charlette Hannah



Tim Beals and his younger sister Holly kicked off the evening at the Johnny Corker album release at Happy on Thursday. Tim’s sweet and whimsical guitar was lovely, and the songs were instantly accessible.

I thought he sounded a lot like Iron and Wine, and then they did a cover of one of my favourite Iron and Wine songs - Naked As We Come, and did it justice too. They also did a Nick Drake cover, From The Morning, very well.

I know this may sound strange, but Tim and Holly’s vocals melded together so well that it was almost hard to tell the difference, even though it was male and female voices, obviously. The harmonies were close and well done.

Tim’s song Far From Home was bluesy and catchy, and one of my favourites of the evening. He managed to get one of the best tones out of an acoustic guitar I’ve heard for a while.

Thursday, 30 August 2007

COMING SOON

Hi Wellington Live Music lovers

I moved house recently and haven't been connected to the internet, so things have been a little quiet here lately. Sorry everyone! However, we'll be on track very soon, and will have...

An interview with Flip Grater, and an interview with Robin Hinkley from Good Laika, who are releasing their debut album tonight!

Reviews of Johnny Corker and Tim Beals.

Cheers
Charlette

PS. Stay tuned for news of the upcoming launch of the official www.wellingtonlivemusic.com!

Tuesday, 28 August 2007

GIGS: 30th August - 5th September

THURSDAY 30 AUGUST

- The Adelaide
40 Miles Launch Party
Roger Greenaway, Charlette Hannah + more. 8pm.

- The Mighty Mighty
Good Laika - Heads I Win, Tails You Lose debut album release, with Age Pryor.

- San Francisco Bathhouse
Shapeshifter. Sold Out.

- Sandwiches
Harbour City Electric. Free 9pm.

FRIDAY 21 AUGUST

- Happy
Charlette Hannah, Lauren Thomson, Rikki Doolan. $5 8pm.

- Tupelo
Ginger Brown, Sleepy Demons. $5 9.30pm.

- San Francisco Bathhouse
Shapeshifter. Sold Out.

- Blue Note Bar
Stormbird, Toby Mule. $10 9pm.

- The Adelaide
Marineville.

- The Matterhorn
Hohepa. Free 10pm.

- Room 101, Bar Bodega
Dekline, No Love Lost, The Lights Down. $5.

- The Mighty Mighty
Black Market Art, Jimmy Zoom and the Beytorn Grifters, Little Pictures, Holiday With Friends.

SATURDAY 1 SEPTEMBER

- The Matterhorn
Niko Ne Zna. Free 11pm.

- Blue Note Bar
President Gas - Sound on Sound Album Launch. 8pm. RSVP on www.presidentgas.com and receive a free CD.

- Old Studio 9
Twice on Thursdays, Stray Dogs, Cross Eyed Mary,Far from Fiction. All Ages, doors 7.30pm $5.

- San Francisco Bathhouse
OpShop. $20 presales from Ticketek and Real Groovy. 8.30pm.

- The Mighty Mighty
The Hories, Bad Evil, Boss Christ, WrongDoings. 9.30pm.

- Bar Bodega
World Battle of the Bands Wellington Final
Fiin, Mind Vandal, The Stacks, Faster She Said. 9pm.

SUNDAY 2 SEPTEMBER

- The Matterhorn
Money-D, The Yeabsley Key, Lisa Tomlins. Free 8.30pm.

MONDAY 3 SEPTEMBER

Are YOU playing in Wellington? Remember to send your gig listings through to Charlette by Monday to have them listed here.

TUESDAY 4 SEPTEMBER

- Bar Bodega
Beats and bubbles.

WEDNESDAY 5 SEPTEMBER

-
San Francisco Bathhouse
Acoustic Lounge 6 - 8pm free.

Friday, 24 August 2007

REVIEW: Pitch Black

PITCH BLACK
SAN FRANCISCO BATHHOUSE

FRIDAY 17 AUGUST

Words and Photo by Lucy Wyatt

Have you ever-experienced music that makes you feel dirty, moody and horny all at the same time? Pitch Black had the San Francisco Bathhouse rocking on Friday night with a sound resonate of the audiences prurient feelings. From the very first track off their new album, Rude Mechanicals, the crowd were totally tuned in. Paddy Free’s crazy, almost Johnny Rotten look, complete with an intense shock of red hair, bounced his groove amongst the electronic equipment. Michael Hodgson’s less frantic presence created something of an on-stage juxtaposition - a difference that is arguably a necessary part of this eclectic electronic-dub co-habitation.

Tracks like Rude Mechanicals were perfect dance floor raisers, the catchy vocals hitting the right note. 1000 Mile Drift’s eerie, warped beats and haunting vocals changed the audiences pace a little. It’s like knowing what you’re going to get but loving it more than you could have imagined when you get it. Older tracks from Electric Earth were met with familiar appreciation. Many a smiling face told it so. The evening’s concoction of dirty riffs, smooth electric grooves and mesmerising vocals seemed to reach out and draw you deep inside the music.

The lighting - the vibrant colours, the backdrop of illuminated pipes was a pre-cursor to the fluid motion of the wired, electro musical waves fused with a pumping dub heart. The diverse mixture of people forgot their differences and united their common appreciation. When the last track finished the hunger could almost be interpreted as insatiable. Pitch Black, yet again, produced a fat, atmospheric dance floor blast. A truly wicked show.

Wednesday, 22 August 2007

GIGS: 23 - 29 August

THURSDAY 23 AUGUST

- The Mighty Mighty
The Cookbook Tour
Flip Grater, Shaun K Anderson. $10 8pm.

- Happy
Johnny Corker album release with Tim Beals. $10 8pm.

- Hotel Bristol
Blue Highways, Bob Cooper-Grundy.

- Bar Bodega
Marleybone Station

- Sandwiches
Harbour City Electric. 9pm

FRIDAY 24 AUGUST

- Valve
Imbolc, Beltane, Slave Cadaver, Gugonix, Execrate, Kaput Mortuum, Kreafly. $10 doors 9pm start 9.30pm.

- Real Groovy 6pm
- Happy 9pm
Scragfest
Galloping Hooves of the Apocalypse,
Skaface Claw, Chernobyl Kid.

- Bar Bodega
Faster She Said. $5 9pm.

- Zeal
Second Theory, Whispers For Warning and more. $5 7pm All Ages.

- San Francisco Bathhouse
SJD, Hot Swiss Mistress

- Sandwiches
Rumble in the Jungle Wellington Heat
Featuring Balistics, Dunk, Habit, JDM, JMC, Kersal Massive, Roshi, Rowzy, Rythmatix, Sasky, Subsonik, Tamper. Hosted by Deluxe. $10 11pm.

- MVP
Barefoot In The Sand EP release, with Moana Ete and the Chaperones, Charcoal White. $10 8pm.

- The Adelaide
Tightlipped.

SATURDAY 25 AUGUST

- San Francisco Bathhouse
Happy Cones. $10 9pm.

- Old Studio 9
Zitty, DNA, The Splats. $5 7.30pm All Ages.

- Valve
The Twitch, Hellserpoppin. $10 9pm.

- The Mighty Mighty
Bonnie Scarletts, Coshercot Honeys.

- Happy
The Poe Show
Lucien Johnson

SUNDAY 26 AUGUST

- Old Studio 9
Acoustic Afternoons
Moana Ete and The Chaperones, and open mic. 2 - 5pm $5 for non-performers All Ages.

- The Matterhorn
The Skins, Money-D, The Yeabsley Key, Lisa Tomlins. 8:30pm.

MONDAY 27 AUGUST

Are YOU playing in Wellington? Remember to send your gig listings through to Charlette by Monday to have them listed here.

TUESDAY 28 AUGUST

- Bar Bodega
Beats and Bubbles.

WEDNESDAY 29 AUGUST

- MVP
Rikki Doolan, The Stouts. Free 9pm.


- San Francisco Bathhouse
Acoustic Lounge. 6 - 8pm.


Saturday, 18 August 2007

REVIEW: Richard Leschen

RICHARD LESCHEN
WELLINGTON BLUEGRASS SOCIETY
FRIDAY 17 AUGUST
Words and Photo by Bill in NZ


Friday the 17th, the third Friday in the month, the time for the Wellington Bluegrass Society's regular "Society" night. As usual, there were a number of floor spots before the featured performer - Richard Leschen on this occasion, in the Wellington area recording his second CD at the Braeburn Recording Studios.

Richard is a singer/songwriter with guitar - originally from the heartland of the USA, but now a Kiwi living in the Auckland area. A mixture of descriptions of style - folk, a slight touch of outlaw country, Americana, roots, a bit of bluegrass - but always real music, with intelligent and well crafted lyrics.

He also performs with others - in other styles, world music (Hindi, Hindustani fusion, Turkish) , Tex-Mex, folk-rock and jazz - but this Friday night it was Richard on his own, with guitar performing grass roots music at its best.

Superb guitar playing all evening. To quote from his first album description, Richard has
"a unique style of guitar-picking that involves syncopated rhythms supported by bass and melody lines, harkening to his bluegrass and country folk roots ... His voice is unrefined, raw and expressive, a perfect mouthpiece for his folk-based compositions. The poetical-lyrical content is combined with improvisation ...."

That just about says it all about Friday's performance. Well worth finding him on one of his few live performances in the Wellington area.

For further information on Richard Leschen
For further information on the Wellington Bluegrass Society

Wednesday, 15 August 2007

REVIEW: Peneloping

PENELOPING
SAN FRANCISCO BATHHOUSE
FRIDAY 10 AUGUST
Words and Photo's by Charlette Hannah


Christopher

Kirsten

At the start of Peneloping's set I was pretty unimpressed. It sounded loose and unrehearsed and there were a few 'what's going on?' moments. As the set went on I was more won round, however in all honesty I wasn't particularly inspired.

Both Kirsten and Christopher have lovely voices, although some of the harmonies were a little shaky. The second song was a vast improvement on the first, and it did get better as they continued. I found the overall tone pleasant, and there were a lot of melodic changes, which is always nice, but not many dynamics.

The music is cutesy and charming, catchy quirky pop tunes. It sounded unpolished to me, but there is definitely potential. It's good to hear male and female vocals together.

GIGS: 16th - 22nd August

THURSDAY 16 AUGUST

- Bar Bodega
World Battle of the Bands
Faster She Said, MOTA, Scope, The Stacks, The Ramps. 8pm $7.

- Happy
Music and Artists Social Club
Timothy Armstrong, Dave Kempton (Riverblind), Sleepy Demons, Charlette Hannah. $5 8pm.

- Havana
Grand Prix.

- Hotel Bristol
Paul Ubana Jones.

FRIDAY 17 AUGUST

- Valve
A Death In The Family, Strangers, Not Quite Right, Black Chrome, Punchbowl.

- The Opera House
Hollie Smith

- Room 101, Bar Bodega
Date With Doom.

- Happy
Bastard Sons of Grey Power. 10pm.

- Bar Bodega
The Wazzo Clash.

- San Francisco Bathhouse
Pitch Black, Module.

- The Adelaide
Drumstock. 9pm.

- Old Studio 9
Scoria, Lapser, Hellsapoppin, Vatikan.$5 7:30pm All Ages

SATURDAY 18 AUGUST

- Bar Bodega
A Low Hum, the movie. So So Modern, Cut Off Your Hans, Erase + Bri, The Wicks, Sets of 57, Ladyhawke, The Hu Hu, Nikky Brinkman. Movie at 8pm, gig at 9:30pm. Tickets $20 or $15 with student ID.

- Happy
Eva Prowse, Chris Prowse, Costa Botes and Andrew Delahunty. 4pm.

- The Adelaide
Bloody Souls and Knifefight.

SUNDAY 19 AUGUST

- The Matterhorn
The Skins, Money-D, The Yeabsley Key, Lisa Tomlin. 8:30pm.

MONDAY 20 AUGUST

Are YOU playing in Wellington? Remember to send your gigs through to Charlette here to have them listed on our weekly gig listings. Please include 'Gig' and the date in the subject line - 'hey' emails tend to get lost.

TUESDAY 21 AUGUST

- Havana
Roberto Rodriguez

WEDNESDAY 22 AUGUST

- San Francisco Bathhouse
Acoustic Lounge. 6-8pm.

Monday, 13 August 2007

REVIEW: Bob Dylan

BOB DYLAN
TSB BANK ARENA
FRIDAY 10 AUGUST
Words by Bill in NZ

Where to begin - a visit to Wellington by
the most documented, discussed and dissected musical artist in popular music history.

Bob sang to those at the concert - in his never ending challenge to his listeners.
"You think I'm over the hill
You think I'm past my prime
Let me see what you got
We can have a whoppin' good time"

Life is always a two way street - and live music is no exception. Bob came to Wellington in his Never Ending Tour (NET) - now in its 20th year - approaching concert number 2000 later this year. He is continually changing his set lists, his arrangements, his phrasing and even the very words of his lyrics – a 66 year old man, but still vital in his approach to his music. Nearly two hours of solid music – no time wasted with jokes and flattery to the local audience. The performance is the art form being presented. And along with his legacy of 500 songs of lyrical substance, his performances will last as well – with technology allowing virtually all of his performances to be preserved.

Listeners came to the concert from many directions, and places in their lives – not just the baby boomers of the Sixties, reliving their past, but young people too – with ears open in appreciation for the experience. (The only sad thing to me is that the high cost of tickets makes it too expensive for many young people to attend these concerts.)

The Wellington concert in 2003 (concert number 1500 of the NET) was the best of the New Zealand concerts of that year. And expectations were high for this year. Hard to imagine the box known as TSB Arena (Queens Wharf) being the best arena in the main centres – but it is surely a better place than either Christchurch or Auckland – and a more appreciative audience as well.

But to the concert – 17 songs – highlights were “Rollin & Tumblin”, “When the Deal Goes Down” and especially “Nettie Moore” from the recent “Modern Times” album. “Nettie Moore” just works so well in concert – poignant and lovely song. And “Honest With Me” and “My Back Pages” also sparkled on the evening.
A real special performance was “Ballad of a Thin Man” done so well on this night – with meaningful harmonica to finish the song.

And – to round off the evening “Blowin in the Wind” – surely a tribute to Wellington’s glorious winds that night.

And sort of where it all began too – the first playing of a Dylan song by NZ artists was “Blowing in the Wind”, being the early October 1963 playing on radio in Wellington by the local group, The Folkestone Three. 44 years later Dylan is singing it to us as his closing song in the concert.

The music of Dylan will not stop here. It was a very good concert.

Sunday, 12 August 2007

REVIEW: Ragamuffin Children and Rosy Tin Teacaddy

RAGAMUFFIN CHILDREN
ROSY TIN TEACADDY
HAPPY BAR
SATURDAY 11 AUGUST
Words by Martin Johnson

So, when you head down into the bunker of Happy, theres always the feeling of entering another world, expectations of music that doesn't necessarially conform to your usual constraints. Saturday night there was a step back to some times that may not have existed. First off Rosy Tin Teacaddy took the stage, with Billy in particularly good form... perhaps that wasn't tea in his cup, in fact we can confirm that, and like the couple they are, or aren't for that matter, Billy gently harangued Betty between songs with the comfortable space of days over the kitchen table sitting between them. Whether it's a fiction or not, an embellishment perhaps of Betty & Billys life, there's more to this music than two performers on stage, stepping out as they do clad in the residue of another decade & another time in a seaside cottage. The harmonies that Billy & Betty achieved were rather lovely too, give or take a few false starts and extended middles, a digression or two, all adding to the charm

Ragamuffin Children were up next & they looked like they'd fallen out of the Northwest of Califoria some time around 1969, with the particular charm they exude on stage based on a vagueness in their performance. Along with the more serious material, they break things up with singalong tunes about aliens and stories about a dog who will howl along. All very low key and intimate, plus they were on the teapot as well, and this time it really did seem to be tea they were drinking. Nice. The boy they called upon to play clarinet got a cup as well, and he seemed pleased about that. Tea folk, it could be the new rock & roll....

Friday, 10 August 2007

INTERVIEW: Kimbra

On a recent School's Tour to Wellington with Moana Ete, Kimbra caught up with me for a quick chat before a gig. Much younger and shorter than I expected, Kimbra nonetheless comes across as intelligent and mature beyond her years. Like many NZ artists, Kimbra first came to attention as a finalist in the 2004 Smokefree Rockquest. With two singles under her belt and plenty of interest, Kimbra's future looks bright.

Charlette Hannah:
How has the Schools Tour been going, and how did you get involved with that?

Kimbra: Yeah, it's been going really good so far, we've done two schools now and the response has been really good. We weren't really sure but lots of kids have been coming along and enjoying it, and they knew my single which is good. People were singing along which is fun. A venue that has just opened in Cuba St called Zeal are helping out with a few tours for bands and stuff, and they asked me if I'd like to help them out with it, so of course I was like 'yeah sure'. Good opportunity to come down to Wellington. So as well as the School's Tour which is a really great opportunity, I've been trying to get as much as I can in the evenings.

Charlette: You've already managed to generate a fair amount of attention for yourself. Do you have a manager or do you do the hard yards yourself?

Kimbra: I'm just doing it by myself at the moment, which has been fine. Obviously it means you have to spend a little bit more time on the computer side of things, and obviously it would be nice to hand it over to someone else and let them do it. At the same time it's good to know that you're in control of what's happening, what's being portrayed. I'm moving to Auckland next year and maybe I'll think about getting a manager then. Probably not until the point where it becomes a real imperative.

Charlette: You've had a lot of support so far from NZ On Air, have you had any interest from record labels?

Kimbra: I've been fortunate to be able to talk with some labels and get advice which has been cool, but at this point I'm just waiting out for the right deal or situation. And yeah, NZ On Air has helped me out a lot with the singles and the funding side of things, which is similiar to what a record company would provide. Obviously when I come to recording an album I may look into labels more seriously. At the moment I'm just taking it slow, I'm not in any rush to sign up to anything unless I'm sure it's going to allow for the plans I have in the future.

Charlette: Have you got any plans for an album or an EP soon?

Kimbra: Yeah, I would like to get onto something soon now that I've done the two singles. NZ On Air often fund for an album. That's definitely something I want to get onto soon. But at the same time I feel like you only get one shot at a first album and I want it to be good so I don't want to rush into anything too soon. That might mean doing an EP first or something of a shorter length before I jump into an album.

Charlette: Do you have band that you work with?

Kimbra: I have worked with bands in Hamilton, but it's a lot easier to just roll up with my guitar in terms of live performance. Next year I'm looking at getting a simple band together, just drums, bass, to complement the music a bit more. But at the same time, I try to bring together the elements of a band on stage when I play, and try to think dynamically like that.

Charlette: A couple of random questions... How would you describe your music to a deaf person?

Kimbra: Golly, that's a hard one. I suppose there's a lot of roots of soul in my music, I listen to a lot of that as well. It's generally acoustic, there's quite a jazz vibe to my music, jazz and soul. I'm quite rhythm focused so I really enjoy interesting rhythms and melodies is a big thing for me, I like to write really melodic music. I'm hoping there's a unique twist to the music, that it's not too cliche, hopefully it steps out a bit.

Charlette: Would you have plastic surgery when you get old and wrinkled?

Kimbra: I'd say no. I know image is a big thing in the music industry, but to me, if I can still make music at that age and have to sacrifice looking good then I don't really care. I wouldn't really spend all that money on it when it could go to so much betteruse . Plastic surgery, blurgh.

Charlette: Do you want to be world famous?

Kimbra: I'd like my music to reach as many people as it possibly can, and if that means fame, then so be it. It's not something I'm really aspiring to. I'm not passionate about all the stuff that comes along with the music industry, but I'd definitely like my music to reach lots and lots of people, and of all different backgrounds and beliefs, so in that sense, yes.

Charlette: In the 2004 Smokefree Rockquest you were a finalist... Do you think you should have won?

Kimbra: Um [Charlette: I'm just joking!]. I'm glad I didn't win. It was so absolutely unexpected that I came second, and I would never be gutted that I didn't win! Second place can sometimes be a blessing as well, as you get all the exposure of Rockquest, but you're able to break away from it if need be. Whereas sometimes coming first can be hard to come outside of the whole realm of the Rockquest label. Yeah, it was a big year that year, and the bands who got placed were definitely well deserving.

Charlette: You've said that your experience at the All Blacks vs. Ireland match has made you more confident on stage... How do you feel when you're performing, in general? Do you get nervous?

Kimbra: Yeah, as I've said, after doing that game it's been a lot easier to conquer nerves. Every gig I played after that just seemed so much easier, as nothing can quite measure up to singing to 30,000 people at a stadium! All things fly around when I'm performing. I try to come across honest and sincere on stage, so I try not to crowd my head with thoughts of 'how do I come across' because I think it's really cool as a performer when you see someone just as they really are. Not vulnerable, but just honest, yeah.

Charlette: What musicians would you like to collaborate with if you could?

Kimbra: I've always dreamed of singing with a real wicked gospel singer. In New Zealand I'd say someone like Hollie Smith, but overseas, people like Jill Scott. If Jeff Buckley was still alive, singing a song with him would be an absolute dream come true. There's just so many people I admire.

myspace.com/kimbramusic

Tuesday, 7 August 2007

Gigs: 9th - 15th August

Are YOU playing in Wellington? Remember to get your gigs through to Charlette by Monday to have them listed here!

THURSDAY 9TH AUGUST


- The Adelaide
Infrared, Worn Villain, The Dahmer Trio, Riverblind. 8:30pm $5.

- Bar Bodega
World Battles of the Bands, Semi 1
Mind Vandal,
FIIN, White Night. 8pm $7.

- Happy
Portal 4000.

- Havana
Latin Lounge Trio.

- Hotel Bristol
Erna Ferry with Blues Buffet.

- Sandwiches
Harbour City Electric. 9pm.

FRIDAY 10TH AUGUST

- Union Hall at Victoria University.
Blindspott, Take The Willing, Redline. 8pm $35 presales.

- San Francisco Bathhouse
The Brunettes. 'Structure and Cosmetics' release party.

- The Mighty Mighty
Real Hot Bitches, Wellington Ukulele Orchestra.

- TSB Bank Arena
Bob Dylan. Sold out.

- Sandwiches
Phat 08 Taster Series
Black Sun Empire, Concord Dawn, The Upbeats. 10pm $30 presales $40 on the door.

- Bar Bodega
The Proxies, Faster She Said.

- Happy
The Alternative Bob Dylan fest.

- The Adelaide
The Stacks, Alpha Shift. 8pm $5.

SATURDAY 11TH AUGUST

- Zeal
Cold By Winter, Akaname. All ages $10.

- The Adelaide
Urbantramper & 10,000 Times Glorious, Hot Swiss Mistress, Achilles Botes. 9pm $5-10.

- San Francisco Bathhouse
Minuit, Alex The Kid, DJ Lotion. 9pm.

- Happy
'Werecat Lullabies' release tour
Ragamuffin Children, Rosy Tin Teacaddy. 9pm $5.

- MVP
The Deadly Deaths, Peneloping Little Pictures Matthew Holleman. 9:30pm $5.

- Bar Bodega
The Magnolia Electric Company. $35 from Slowboat.

- Old Studio 9
The Pinkertons,
Seth and Merle, The Acid Test, Far From Fiction. 7:30pm All Ages $5.

- Underground Arts
Underground Metal V
Human, Bloodletting, Slave Cadaver, Aethea, Vatikan,
Belligerance. Doors 7pm, start 8pm All ages $10.

- The Mighty Mighty
Hikoikoi Reserve, Duke Willis, Mighty Asterix.

SUNDAY 12TH AUGUST

- Real Groovy
Ragamuffi Children instore performance. 2pm.

MONDAY 13TH AUGUST

Are YOU playing in Wellington? Remember to get your gigs through to Charlette to have them listed here!

TUESDAY 14TH AUGUST

- Happy
The Wop Wops & Lucien Johnson, David Donaldson, Anthony Donaldson. 8:30pm.

WEDNESDAY 15TH AUGUST

- Bar Bodega
Percy Feral

- San Francisco Bathhouse
Acoustic Lounge

Monday, 6 August 2007

OPPORTUNITY: Promotions and Events Manager

Promotions and Events Manager for Underground Ltd. wanted:

Needs to have experience in promotional work and event management, ideally overseas experience (European especially), keen creative vision, ability to organise band/DJ promotions and source venues.

Full job description available with job offer. Please contact Joseph Dobson (Director Underground Ltd.) tel - 0273505100

Sunday, 5 August 2007

REVIEW: Carol Bean

CAROL BEAN
THE WANTED SESSIONS
MIGHTY MIGHTY
THURSDAY 2ND AUGUST
Words and Photo by Bill in NZ


Recent additions to the music scene around Wellington are the "Wanted Sessions" at Mighty Mighty - on the first Thursday of each month.

The past Thursday had a treat for lovers of real music. Carol Bean opened, with backing by Jim Nicolson on bass, Costa Botes on guitar and harmonica by Lester Mundell on the occasional song.
Carol learned her guitar playing from Ry Cooder, and performs in several styles - blues, folk-blues, alt-country, roots, a bit of bluegrass, Americana - call it what you will, but this night let's call it alt-country at its best. Think of Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch - and you'd be close. Carol did songs by both, as well as some of her own songs.

Good music from each of the musicians, made special by Carol's vocals.

It was the kind of music and kind of winter night where one set by Carol and her band weren't enough.

For information on Carol Bean
and information on Mighty Mighty
myspace.com/mightymightybar

Friday, 3 August 2007

REVIEW: The Matt Langley Band

THE MATT LANGLEY BAND
HAPPY
SATURDAY 28 JULY
Words and Photo's by Charlette Hannah


Matt Langley

Matt goes solo

Hometown Records founder Dylan Galletly and Matt Langley


The band

The show started gently, with a slow acoustic riff, sparse bass notes and harmonica. Gradually the band built up, and launched into a solid country rock groove with Moving On. Matt Langley was in fact the first act I ever reviewed for Wellington Live Music, and I liked the music right away. Months later, with the band fuller and tighter, and an EP, Lost Companions, recently released, it's even better.

My personal favourite is the upbeat country rock song Cry Johnny Cry, but Matt shows his depth of emotion and skill in writing in other songs, such as Sometimes Love Is Not Enough. His voice is smooth and full, but with a slight gravelly edge to it which brings to mind great rock singers.

The sound filled the venue, people were up and dancing, and it was the biggest crowd I've seen at Happy yet. I would have liked to hear a bit more keys in the mix, and for while my view was blocked by dancers, but that's not really anything to complain about.

The band took a break after the first set and left Matt on the stage to do a couple of mellower solo songs, after which they returned for a second, shorter set. I think Matt could really go a long way with his music, and I don't like to make such predictions often.



REVIEW: Rosy Tin Teacaddy

ROSY TIN TEACADDY
HAPPY
SATURDAY 28 JULY
Words and Photo's by Charlette Hannah

Betty Grey

Billy Earl

I was lucky enough to arrive in time for the last few songs of Rosy Tin Teacaddy's set. Opening for Matt Langley and band, Rosy Tin Teacaddy were not only dressed deliciously, they even had a tea set on stage with them. I like it when musicians dress nicely. It's like giving the audience respect, and saying thanks for coming to watch us. The super cute Betty Grey was a particularly refreshing contrast to the general dress code of jean's and t'shirts.

But enough about that. The music is even better. Mixing between two vocals, two guitars and harmonica, Rosy Tin Teacaddy created quite a dynamic between them. Vocally flawless, and with gentle melodies, Rosy Tin Teacaddy are an altogether lovely experience.

I'm afraid I can't say much more, as I only caught a few songs, but I believe they're playing support for Ragamuffin Children at Happy on August 11, and I'll be there!



Thursday, 2 August 2007

PHOTOS: The Stacks, Alien 8, Rude Mood

THE STACKS, ALIEN 8, RUDE MOOD
VALVE
FRIDAY 27 JULY
Photo's by Rosie Morgan

The Stacks


Geoff Day

Antz 'Maddog' Maddox

Alien 8

Shaun Cawston

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INTERVIEW: Anika Moa

Since she first appeared on the music radar at the Smokefree Rockquest in 1998, and following the successful release of her debut album, Thinking Room, in 2001, Anika Moa has become a well respected and loved name in New Zealand. After the quieter release of her sophomore album, Stolen Hill, in 2005, Anika has been touring NZ, Australia and the UK, returning home to record and promote her third album, In Swings The Tide.
Appearing in Wellington for one show only at Sandwiches, Anika caught up with Charlette Hannah for a chat.

Charlette Hannah:
There's been a reasonable gap between albums, but you definitely haven't been idle. You seem to be playing with just about everyone in the country. Singing on albums by Rhian Sheehan, touring with Dimmer, Bic Runga, Tim Guy... Is it that you enjoy playing with a wide range of people or can you just not say no?

Anika Moa: When you work with someone, it leads to more work with the other person. Like when I did work with Dimmer, I stole his drummer for my album, and then his drummer now works for Miriam Clancy. And then I did Bic Runga stuff and her drummer now does my flatmates stuff. We're all just basically incestuous musicians, except for we don't sleep with each other, we make beautiful music. Yeah, it's just, you know people, and they go 'I need this' and you say 'of course I can, I can sing harmonies for your album, sweet as bro'.

Charlette: The Tim Guy gig is a really interesting one in that you've branched out into playing bass. Is that taking you out of your comfort zone or do you quite like to do that now and again.

Anika: We've down about 10 or 12 shows so far. When I first started, nervous, like, oh my god, what are people going to think of my bass skills? But as I learnt the songs more and more it's easier. You really up your game and become a better bass player. The only thing I find hard about playing with Tim is that I'm not the main person, and I can't talk to everyone. But we've got this new thing where me and Anna, who's the drummer, we just pretend to fight on stage and hard out talk and Tim's all quiet.

Charlette: At one of the Tim Guy gigs, you wore an extra large hat and seemed to be standing in the shadows. It seems a little different to the extroverted personality you show at your own gigs.

Anika: I know, that's the awkward thing is that I can't be extroverted, 'cause it's not my gig. You know, it's Tim's beautiful music, it's his love. I've just got to play the bass and look hot, really.

Charlette: Both the Dimmer and the Bic Runga gigs involved a gathering of the cream of New Zealand musicians, was it ever intimidating working with that level of talent, or was it more like hanging out with a bunch of mates?

Anika: It was more intimidating because Neil Finn is really good at ping pong, table tennis. His skills were far better than most of ours. That was the competition. We'd always, when we finished recording, we'd go and play table tennis. I'd be like, 'come on, you've got hit songs, hit albums, could you at least let me win a couple of times, like lower your standards'. So he let me win a couple of times. He gracefully bowed out. But I could tell he didn't like it.

Charlette: The last album [Stolen Hill] was a beautiful, mature, contemplative work which seemed miles away from the 'next Jewel' publicists were trying to push you as in America with the first album. Was there any pressure to take a more commercial direction with the third album?

Anika: Not at all, but I know I have written some pop songs for this album. It's pop country. Pop country's good. It's a good mixture and I think I've finally met my match in music, in that I've found my home as a musician. I mean, I'll always be growing and evolving, but at the moment this is probably 100% of the kind of person that I am, the honesty that I portray, it's in this album. There was no pressure. I didn't go, 'ok I want to do a third album, I need some pop songs'. I wrote these songs, and they happened to fall into that category, which is great. Every artist wants to be played on the radio, every artist wants to sell their album, no matter who they are. So that's what I'm hoping to do.

Charlette: What are your hopes for the third album, In Swings The Tide?

Anika: I think, yeah, radio play. 'Cause I didn't get it for the last album. There are a lot of factors, but we won't go into that. I want to travel New Zealand, do a tour, and then hit Australia. There's 22 million people there, so there's a bigger audience. People like Brooke Fraser are paving the way for Maori singer/songwriters, so I'm quite grateful to her for that. I could have tried when I released my first album, but I wasn't ready for it, and now I'm ready for it. It's good because I'm taking the challenge on myself, no one's pushing me, I'm pushing everyone else. So yeah, Australia, the UK and Europe, the world basically.

Charlette: There was a lot of press around the release of Thinking Room, but comparatively little around Stolen Hill and the new one so far, why is that?

Anika: We haven't started doing anything with the new one yet, believe me, as soon as we release the single, then we're going to push it.

Charlette: Bigger than Stolen Hill...

Anika: F#$* yeah!

Charlette: Almost ten years on, if you could go back in time for five minutes, what would say to the Anika Moa who entered the Rockquest?

Anika: Wear shoes! Wear shoes you poor Maori! Probably that.

Charlette: And would she have listened?

Anika: Nah. She would have said f#$* off.

Charlette: You said on your website you don't like watching rugby anymore unless it involves naked players or even better, hot lesbians. Why is that?

Anika: (Laughs loudly) My website is one long joke. Every blog that I do, half of it's true, half of it's false. The only reason I write it is because it's 4:30 in the morning and I have nothing else to do.

Charlette: I was quite enjoying reading it earlier.

Anika: It's funny eh?

Charlette: You also said you're in a relationship with a man and it might be love...

Anika: Totally lying.

Charlette: Your brother recently had a baby. Any plans for children for you?

Anika: Yeah, I was actually talking about this with a friend the other day. I do want children, maybe in two years or three years. Not now. Not right now. But I do want heaps. I want like seven or eight or ten, however many normal people have.

Charlette: Apart from In Swings The Tide, what else is in the future for you?

Anika: There's a Tim Guy and the Two Ties tour in November, as well as an Anika Moa tour. Just music. Just releasing singles and releasing the album. We're releasing the album at the end of September. I've got a new record company, so that's all good. EMI. They're great, great record company. Just, you know, fulfilling my duty as a musician.

www.anikamoa.com