Formed by enigmatic booming-voiced singer, guitarist, and hat aficionado Jeff Mangum in the late 1980s, the band's second album, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, has been canonized by the independent music world as a modern classic.
A lo-fi kaleidoscope of rough acoustic guitar, and darkly surreal and emotive lyrics, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea's legacy has grown from year to year with indie music website Pitchfork awarding its reissue 10 out of 10, and the album topping the vinyl bestseller list in 2008.
Seen by some as woolly and difficult, for the converted, the album delivers a pleasure like no other. Honest, raw and pure in its intent and perfect in its execution, it creates a world of its own, caked in turn-of-the-century charm.
Unfortunately for fans, the band entered a hiatus almost immediately after the album's release, with Mangum appearing only sporadically in the years since after suffering a nervous breakdown. Many of those appearances have been for the benefit of New Zealand musician Chris Knox, and Mangum's Flying Nun Records fandom is probably a large factor in the band's visit.
From reading early reviews, the shows appear to be rough and ragged heartfelt returns to the stage for the band, filled with audience tears and overwhelming sing-alongs. With presales already nearing 500, be in quick, and expect transcendence.
• T54 hit the New Zealand airspace this month in celebration of their debut full-length In Brush Park; available now through Flying Nun Records.
In Brush Park was engineered by Thomas Bell (David Kilgour & The Heavy Eights, Ghostwave, brains) at Sammy's in February 2012.
The follow up to 2011's cassette-only compilation A Love That's Noise, In Brush Park exhibits a maturity in T54's songwriting and sonic landscaping, presenting 10 wonderful and varied smashes of ''sure to rise'' southern alternative dream-trash.
The album, available on CD/digital (with bonus six-track EP Live Dux Live) is topped off with the otherworldly art of Wellington-based illustrator/designer Leo Buckett. Visit t54t54.bandcamp.com to stream and www.flyingout.co.nz to purchase.
• A year after their takeover of Chick's Hotel, owners the Shifting Sands are hosting a four-day party to celebrate.
They are also raising money for the purchase of a bus, to allow them to continue transporting patrons to and from the Port Chalmers venue safely.
It features a huge line-up of David Kilgour & the Heavy Eights, The Psychic Maps, Deirdre Newall, Robert Scott, Gate, Chris Heazelwood, Trick Mammoth, The Shifting Sands, Astro Children, Opposite Sex, Ecophonic, The Prophet Hens, Manthyng, DJ Boof, Kilmog, Bad Sav, Nannystate, DJ JBJ, Neon Leon, Chemical and more.
Be there
• Neutral Milk Hotel (Jeff Mangum, Scott Spillane, Julian Koster, and Jeremy Barnes) New Zealand tour hits Dunedin on Wednesday, November 20, at Sammy's. Tickets available from undertheradar.co.nz and Cosmic Dunedin. All shows are R18.
• T54 Album release party with kilmog, Friday, November 22, Queen's Bar, Dunedin, $10, 9pm.
• Chick's Hotel Birthday Festival, Thursday, November 21-Sunday, November 24. Thursday's shows free, all other shows $15 or $30 for a festival pass. Tickets available via www.pledgeme.co.nz/Crowd/Details/1433. More details, www.facebook.com/ChicksHotel
