Auckland group Paquin is in town next month in support of its latest EP III.
The aptly named final piece in a tripartite EP release series, III showcases Tom Healy's ability to write great pieces of colossal sugar-coated pop while throwing in a dash of psych-experimentalism for good measure.
Standout single Get Here is full-throttle, its auditory maximalism thrills as it leaps around on '80s drum patterns, lush synthetic pads and the symphonic grandeur of Healy's soaring melodies.
Elsewhere, there's enough dance feel, shoegaze wash and ambient dance filtering to make sure the whole thing doesn't descend into an end-scene epic, with the ebbs and flows enhancing the atmosphere and dampening any wandering into overtly cliche territory.
Healy is also one of the most talented guitarists in this country, with the ability to shred like Wilco's Nels Cline, something I highly recommend checking in a live setting.
SPACE BATS, ATTACK!
Dunedin's very own post apocalyptic doom outfit Space Bats, Attack! has surprised everyone by releasing a new mini, mini EP/single.
Called ^"^ Sub-EP ^"^ (with the little symbols forming adorable mini-bats, I'm guessing), the release brings together a new studio cut Mouldy Peaches recorded live at the Attic by Samdrub Dawa, and a hammering live track accurately dubbed The Riff, laid down at around 2.30am during a party.
Mouldy Peaches sees the band branching out to include some great, although mostly submerged, ethereal vocal melodies alongside the usual tug and battle of their instrumentation, while The Riff is exactly what it says on the tin - in the best way.
GIVEAWAY
Suitable Alternative also has a special this week. A double-pass ticket giveaway for a show by Ireland's man from Moogaga, Aindrias De Static.
De Static is heading back to the South to coincide with his appearance at the Kapiti Coast music festival, Coastella, a family-friendly event celebrating the sunny coastline as a vibrant cultural hotspot and hosting a line-up of international musical performances and fabulous locals, including Lawrence Arabia, Estere, and Delaney Davidson, as well as local food, produce, craft beer and wine. The show will be his second appearance in the city after having previously performed in the Dunedin Fringe Festival.
An actor, musician and storyteller, De Static has been travelling the world with his one-man show for years, mixing spoken-word poetry, jaunty Gaelic, gypsy get-down violin and fiddle with offbeat and eccentric humour and wit.
To be in the draw simply email playtime@odt.co.nz with your name and a contact phone number.
Be there
• The 91Club Presents: Paquin (Auckland), Friday, April 8, Re:Fuel, Dunedin. Free with your 2016 Radio Onecard, or $10 on the door without. Doors at 8.30pm. Download III from paquin.bandcamp.com/
• Download ^"^ Sub-EP ^"^ at spacebatsattack.bandcamp.com/ now
• Aindrias De Static, Saturday, April 2, New Edinburgh Folk Club, 50 Dundas St. All-ages show, $20 on the door from 7pm or from Relics Music.