The band, helmed by engineer and producer Edward Castelow, is using the tour to road test a raft of fresh material that’s destined for a new record due later this year. The record is the follow-up to 2014’s Mufti Day, a bold eclectic listen drawing from So Cal pop rock and George Harrison’s post-Beatles solo material.
In the time since that record, Castelow has been producing for other acts in his Mezzanine Studio in Mt Eden. With records and sessions with Dad Jokes, Bryony Matthews, The Conjurors, Blazing Shade, Borneo, Lacuna, Black Science and Thee Rum Coves keeping him busy, he has still somehow also found time to work up some of his own new material.In support is Christchurch garage rockers Salad Boys. It’s the band’s first tour in about eighteen months, and they’ll be releasing a limited edition cassette only available at the shows.
The trio, led by prolific Christchurch guitarist, songwriter and music collective and record label head honcho Joe Sampson, are currently working on the sophomore follow-up to 2015’s Metalmania, released on US label Trouble In Mind. That album should be out later this year before the band makes its second visit to the US in October.
ECHO CHILDREN
Alt-folk band Echo Children is also in town, playing Dog With Two Tails with support from Matt Langley, Jo Little & Jared Smith, and Alan Ned Gray on Friday.
The four-piece — from Scotland, England, Canada, and Sweden respectively — met when they all moved to Auckland around the same time, and haven’t stopped making music together since.
Their new EP is six natural and echoey acoustic folk numbers backed by haunting four-part harmonies and stripped down driving drums reminiscent of some of Liam Finn on I’ll Be Lightning.The EP will be available for purchase on Bandcamp very soon.
KANE STRANG
Dunedin songwriter Kane Strang has also shared new music for the first time since 2016’s much-loved debut album Blue Cheese. It’s the first taste from his forthcoming sophomore album, which is due this year. Called Oh So You’re Off I See, the chugging, weaving rocker, heavy on blissed out indie fuzz and call-and-response vocals, the single comes on the eve of an extensive US tour, with Strang and his band playing their first shows outside New Zealand with 20 dates throughout March.
The full album is sure to be a whole new level for the young musician. Stay tuned.
- Sam Valentine
See it, hear it
• Banished Music and Under the Radar presents Dictaphone Blues March 2017 Tour with support from Salad Boys, Friday, March 3, at Re:Fuel, Dunedin, 8pm. Tickets ($15 plus booking fee) from undertheradar.co.nz
• Echo Children EP Release with support from Matt Langley, Jo Little and Jared Smith and Alan Ned Gray, Friday, March 3, at Dog With Two Tails, 7pm. Free.
• Listen to Kane Strang’s new single Oh So You’re Off I See at kanestrang.bandcamp.com
