Cracker by Damian Christie

Don't forget Sun Araw @ Whammy Bar on 15th Oct...we do OK down here in NZ.

Yep the lineup for the next few months looks superb!

(P.S. can it please be "pedalling"?)

The National, who still hold the #1 spot in my trophy cabinet for their Kings Arms show a couple of years back. First concert's already sold out in 30 minutes, but the second one's still available I think.

Also sold out. Fuck.

Point being, I reckon we're doing okay.

Yeah, doing okay.
I am looking forward to Paul Weller at the Powerstation at the end of October. Summer's coming!

Too right on the weather. The choon that sprang to my mind as the sun came out, an oldie but a goodie:

"One of these days, you're gonna rise up singing
Spread your wings, and take to the sky"

- Summertime, various artists, Ella Fitzgerald being my favourite.

And I also took to 2 wheels and just went a-rambling. It feels like a great weight has been lifted, to be honest.

Funnily enough here in HB I'm not as enthused about gig going-but that could have something to do with the need to travel to see anything apart from the usual winery concerts we get each summer. And there's nothing I'd put myself out to travel to see at the moment anyway. But if you're out and about in Auckland tonight top HB band Devils Elbow are playing the new band night at Shadows in support of their great new album. If you're into alt country/Replacements rock and roll they're a good band and feature Andrew once of Garageland on drums.

Summertime, various artists, Ella Fitzgerald being my favourite.

Try the version on the newish Brian Wilson album if you've not heard it. I grimaced when I read of the forthcoming Reimagines Gershwin album a few months lack but he actually pulls it off, with a couple of bumps.

We get an enormous array of music down here considering how far these peeps have to travel. I am most excited - and most unapologetic about it - to see Simply Red. Some say Hucknall is cheesy, and he is, but his music just makes me happy. And that, after all is said and done, is what this music listening lark is all about.

We get an enormous array of music down here considering how far these peeps have to travel.

Yes, especially when you consider that most of the countries in between get very few. The advantages of living close ( by our standards, but certainly not by European or American ones) to Australia.

With the sellouts, bands rarely seem to upgrade to larger venues. Why is that? A shortage of bookable venues, or is it for other reasons related to the business?

With the sellouts, bands rarely seem to upgrade to larger venues.

Various reasons..a signed contract; bigger venues incur more in way of costs and it's often safer for the promoter in a risky business to gratefully bank the cheque; and the venue sometimes underwrites the gig and/or the venues booze suppliers.

Yes, especially when you consider that most of the countries in between get very few.

Which mostly comes down to the fact that most audiences, especailly in Asia, are reluctant to pay the sort of money to see an act that an Australian (which is the main reason acts come south) or NZ audience will.

In Bangkok NZ$15-20 will get you into a venue for an international act with the first two drinks free. Few will pay more which cuts out acts that are not label supported.

Hey it's been rather more than a fortnight this year - t-shirt weather since June.

You guys get the New Pornographers soon, too: I'd definitely recommend seeing them. (Probably no Neko Case, but still worth it). NZ's definitely been getting some good bands in the last few years.

Zach's right about the weather here too. And I'm seeing the National for the third time this year in a couple of weeks :D. Plus trying to decide whether to book to see the Primals' Screamadelica gig again they bring it back here. On the one hand, I'll have already seen it; on the other - much better venue (Brixton Academy v Olympia), and it is one of my favourite albums....

And yet none of these bands are coming to Wellington (sigh)....

I just happened to catch The National last month as both they and I were rather randomly passing through Switzerland. Such a cool and intimate (only about 2000 people) outdoor summer festival and they were truly in magnificent form.

As someone who was also at the Kings Arms gig a couple of years back, standing beside the freakishly tall Oliver Driver I can testify to the #1 trophy spot. The small setting and the intensity of their live show were spell-binding. I just love this band and can't seem to get their latest CD out of my car stereo. I have a near pathological obsession with tracks 2 and 8. Almost wish I was going again at the Powerstation.

Although living in Europe still has huge advantages. In the space of a month I saw LCD soundsystem, Massive Attack and Fat Freddy's in Paris, The National, Faithless, Iggy, Motorhead (?) and Peaches in Switzerland and then Hot Chip and Arcade Fire in London.
However to cap off that wanky paragraph, it has rained the last two days and before we know it, it will be dark at 4:30pm.

and of course the 3x sold out Paul Weller gigs at the Powerstation come month end. Not being overly familiar with Auckland venues, I'm relieved to read your positive thoughts on that particular venue Damian. I was at the Logan Campbell for The Specials last year and while the band itself blew me away, the venue wasn't so great. Looking forward to Weller.

Just on the Hook/Joy Division thing - at least Hook's voice will suit the JD songs. Anyone familiar with New Order's first post-JD album 'Movement' will know how similar Hook's baritone sounds to that of Ian Curtis (Hook sung a few tracks on that release before Sumner took over NO's vocals on later albums). That'll be a decent gig.

I was at the Logan Campbell for The Specials last year and while the band itself blew me away, the venue wasn't so great.

The Logan Concrete Centre, some used to call it.

hey damian, I've been fortunate enough to see a few of those things being based in london. I'll be interested in what people think of the Joy Division thing. I'm a massive fan, both of them and new order and to be frank, while I love all things those groups (and hopefully always will) I found it to be pretty disappointing. I've seen a couple of hooky spoken words, and been to see his new band freebass, all of which were great in their own way....also seen Bernard's new band twice - Bad Lieutenant, also really enjoyable.

But the unknown pleasures thing seemed like a step too far. I found myself wondering if it was really necessary that I see this - to be honest I was cringing a bit. Admittedly the venue wasn't great - a hot summer festival day in shoreditch - but it just seemed a bit sad really.

Just my opinion of course, as I said, I'd be interested in what people think when he plays back home. It's great so many good bands go through there, kudos to the promoters, particularly mystery girl and the other feller (can't remember the name of his company) matt c.

On a final note - everyone should go and see the fall. He's pretty incoherent these days, but it's always worth it, even if it's just to see how badly he treats his band!

none of these bands are coming to Wellington (sigh)

Not enough people live there

And almost nobody lives on the Coast...
"Summertime" is one of those truly great songs, almost unsingable by people with a normal range...I first heard it in the film version of "Porgy & Bess" and have 10 versions so far.
DSo I love it?
Lots.

...can I just say Thank F***k the weather finally changed...

Capital F, indicating a proper noun, three asterixes = five letters in total. Who is Frank, and what control over the weather does he hold?

I thought it might be Flick (The Little Fire Engine).

Not being overly familiar with Auckland venues, I'm relieved to read your positive thoughts on that particular venue Damian.

The Powerstation is a really good venue if you're short, too. I heart it.

Maybe not the greatest version, but name anyone who beats Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sam Cooke. Nevertheless, it's cool enough.
The Zombies, Shindig, 1965: