Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Holy crap, Jon Auer is coming to town


Yep, the guy Matthew Sweet always wished he could be. Possibly. He's in town for one show only. (Remember Matthew Sweet?)

From the press-release:

""Jon Auer is co-founder of one of the most critically-acclaimed power-pop bands, The Posies, and has also spent a good deal of time in the legendary Big Star with the granddaddy of all 'em power-popsters, Alex Chilton. He also finds time to be the self-confessed number one solo sadcore artist in the world.

With his exceptional songwriting, eminently-hummable melodies, and unique musical vision, he takes listeners to sonic and emotional territories far beyond the expected parameters of the pop genre.""



John Auer brings his signature guitar-work and angelic voice to MVP for one very special, intimate night.

Saturday the 3rd of March
MVP, Dixon Street
Doors open at 8pm.
$20 presales from Slow Boat records ($15 with an Active Card).


(also coming soon... Comets on Fire)

Friday, February 09, 2007

A weekend of Pumice in Wellington

Global itinerant, national treasure and one-man-band extrordanaire Pumice is in town this weekend. Fresh from an extended tour of the US, he is playing two shows this weekend. Pumice (aka Stefan Neville) has been involved with the local underground avant-music scene for many, many years now. He has recently released a series of acclaimed albums such as "White" (on Stabbies), "Raft", and "YeahNahVienna" (on US labels Last Visible Dog and Soft Abuse respectively). He has played in Ohm (with Campbell Kneale and James Kirk), Chris Knox's band The Nothing, and is RUMOURED to have played in Thee Ideal Gus (with Clayton "CJA/Armpit" Noone among others). He currently also drums in The Coolies.

I was once talking to someone - a Pumice initiate, if you will - who asked me what it was that Pumice 'did'. I had to think about it for a moment and then came up with drifting, shuddering gospel-folk-music. Upon reflection, that kinda nails it perfectly. It's very interactive; you have to engage with it and when you do, you'll have a hard job to disengage again. Pumice hangs out a big analogue carrot which you follow, transfixed, teetering on the edge of something that you have a vague feeling might be going to be really important.. you're transcending.. pay attention; Pumice is goan take your head a-rambling over those hills over there in his little wheezing broke-ass tape-loop and concertina-powered flying machine.


Friday 9th Feb, San Francisco Bath House
The Cake Kitchen / MarineVille / Pumice
Pumice supports ex-patriate legend Graeme Jefferies' band The Cake Kitchen. Over the last 25 or so years, Graeme has been involved in some of New Zealand's most loved groups such as Nocturnal Projections, and This Kind of Punishment. His first solo album "Messages from the Cake Kitchen" stands as a highlight in the mid-late-80s Flying Nun catalogue. Graeme has been based in Europe the last 12 years, where The Cake Kitchen has won strong and lasting support. He still visits home regularly but infrequently; don't miss this chance to see him in action. Local Wellington indie-rocksters MarineVille also support.

Saturday 10th Feb, The Mighty Mighty
Pumice / The Livids / The Stumps
The Livids are entertaining pop-cock-rock who - weirdly enough - remind me of Thin Lizzy and Kiss. They are always a good time. The Stumps will probably be playfully playing their playful psych set.


Linkage:
Pumice: www.myspace.com/pumarse
The Stumps: www.myspace.com/stumpsthe
The Cake Kitchen: www.thecakekitchen.net
The Livids: www.myspace.com/thelivids
MarineVille: www.marineville.co.nz

We would love to see you there.