Formed around the core of songwriter Michael Cathro (guitar/vocals), his brother Paul (bass/vocals), and Benjamin Sargeant (drums), the trio, with the addition of Theo Francis (guitar), recently finished their ''debut'' album with producer Oli Wilson.
Having already released two albums of idiosyncratic and heartbreakingly beautiful folkish rock, the album will be a mix of old and new Cathro songs.
Having previously recorded in bedrooms, for this album, the band took to Dunedin's Albany Street studio.
It was an experience Cathro described on the phone from his home base in Auckland as ''crazy''.
''We've never done anything like that before,'' Cathro said.
''It's a nice contrast going from that to this,'' he laughed.
Working with Wilson was also the band's first experience with a producer, the benefit of which shows on the recording, according to Cathro.
''Having someone else's opinion there really helps you gain perspective on what you're doing. ''When you've been playing the songs for such a long time, you just get used to how that song is, and you never think about it.
''It was quite a rush. We did 14 tracks in five and a-half days, but Oli really helped with making us realise we really had to get everything right.''
At the heart of each of those Brown tracks is Cathro's unique talent as a songwriter.
With an unmistakable voice, and poignant, socially and philosophically aware lyricism on everything from love, old age and Christianity to David Bain and the insignificant size of human life, Cathro is probably one of New Zealand's most underrated talents.
''When I started writing songs I would always write music first,'' Cathro said, ''but the last couple of years I've been trying to write the lyrics first''.
''I find doing it that way you come up with stranger structures, and it makes the song less straightforward, which I like.
''If you write lyrics first, you can fit in weirder lyrics.''
With the album moving towards completion, Cathro is cutting down his hours at his day job in order to focus on the band.
Hoping to tour the country once the album is released, the band is also looking into release options and labels.
Catch a preview of what's in store, next Saturday at Taste Merchants.
Be there
- Brown at Taste Merchants (Lower Stuart St) with Trick Mammoth and Fat Children (last show). Saturday, August 3. Tickets limited to 60, available from Castle MacAdam Wine (Lower Stuart St). Early show, doors 8pm.
- Shakes and the Swell Guys with Black Sky Hustler. Something of a local institution, Shakes and the Swell Guys have been playing in and around Dunedin for 10 years. Led by Chris Prendergast, they play swampy garage rock with a surf-swinging heart.
- Queens (1 Queens Gardens), tonight, from 9pm. Shakes & The Swell Guys on at 9.30pm, and Black Sky Hustler at 11pm. $5 on the door.
