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day one – heading north it began smooth like a fine aged single malt the four hour journey then around through Back River Road (there’s apparently an old New Zealand made movie about this place we’re told) we land humidified at the Swamp Palace where the greeting party greets and shows us the 2nd hand store in the ancient building we’re to play in, antiquated yet trusty water pumps lovingly restored and tailor made 2nd hand suits… hours later the gig rips and roars… Read more
a small flood of new songs, some completely fresh some old works in progress which have merely had the finishing touches added, are finding themselves added haphazard-like to shows of ?late. ?this is good ja?! good… hopefully this weekend will see the song “we might all get hit by a rather large bus” join the ranks. it’s a song about the cut-throat world of life as a mannequin.
?also we have ‘there but for the grace of god go i” which is a kind’v self explanatory title which should therefore not need explaining. “Tides” an 18 month old song about the shape of the planet, figuratively speaking, reworked slighty to imbue? the vibe of the Hokianga and also
‘walk to a pier” written in connemrra in 2006?about walking to a pier… a song of irony i guess…?
and various others mayhaps… ?aaaah this i like!
twenty ten meanders slow-like now after three months?of? varyayshuns… bernie griffin band?and broadsides at kings arms last night was pretty darned cool.?prior to that a?trip manning the sound desk for ‘the curls’ taking in womad along the way. the jaunt from Karamea to Wanaka, sublime… winter?draweth nigh?and i imagine a cosy studio, another recording project? looking forward to getting my maton back from?Dr. Phil (the Luthier that is)?where some overdue?TLC has been lavished apon her… a couple shows comin up, that’s gotta be a good thing… indeed indeed
d
happy new year folks and wow!! what a start to the decade.. it began in the weee small hours of new years day (of course) swingin from rope swing hanging from a pohutukawa tree neath a perfect night sky on Hahei beach after a cool gig at the grange rd caff.. beautiful!!
onto waiheke for a night of music, friends and a massage chair.. then to whangarei heads for the week long Gaidhealtacht summer school of gaelic music & dance. this is a cool annual gathering of folks who are passionate about their music & arts of a celtic nature. great weather, people, music, food etc amoungst inspiring surroundings with the massive back drop of Mt Manaia. the finale concert with mazey, the robertson girls, fiddle lore, bob mc neil, dave khan and jon sanders was wicked!!
the following night it was back to waiheke for a most cool jam with old? friends Carp, Shayn Wills, Freddy Limbert and Al.. this was the most enjoyable blues jam i’ve had this year and it’s always great catching up with these giants of the sonic realm..
coming up we have concerts planned with Sanders Alley, Dave Khan and various others so check ye old gig guide and we’ll see you about!
have a great year 8)
d