Hard News by Russell Brown

I can't defend the art, theories or ideas of old dead white men. But I do admit [while hiding safely behind a sturdy wall] that I do like some of them.

This is not everyone's cup of tea, but I can't resist the cheese and caffeine injection into the usual epic synth sweep of M83

For Auckland and Wellington folk at a loose end, Aldous (Hannah) Harding plays at the Leigh Sawmill (tonight), Meow (Sat) and Whammy Bar (Sun).

Saw her kick of her tour last night in Chch. Simply divine. Look out for What if Birds aren't Singing, They're Screaming, Party (title track of upcoming album) and Horizon which she did on NZ Live with Jesse Mulligan last Friday - NZ Live - Aldous Harding. And if that's not enough, she may well throw in Wuthering Heights and Lana del Rey's Shades of Cool.

Steve Abel was equally compelling in support - who on any other night would have the limelight himself. Steve plays Leigh and Whammy shows. Here he is with Delaney Davidson's You're a Loser

And his own Sidewalk Doves from 2015 (which if I'm not mistaken uses sequences from Florian Habicht's 2011 Love Story)