Road Trips

Early 1970’s childhood trips from Christchurch, through Arthurs Pass and Otira Gorge, over to the West Coast town of Ross to visit the Grandparents, meant up to 9 of us jammed into the Blue Morris Oxford II (or III?). Parents and eldest sibling in the front, perhaps the youngest sitting on a knee there too; 4 or 5 in the back, elbows, knees and voices competing for space. An overweight corgi on the floor; and possibly overweight trailer behind completed the cargo. The safety aspects perhaps not as frightening as it seems today- the vehicle apparently could get from 0-60mph in 28.9 seconds. With the load in ours, I suspect it may have taken a good 5 minutes to get to such dizzying speeds. And possibly as long to come to a complete halt- by which time, undoubtedly a car-sick child would have stalled the journey anyway. No wonder it took more than 6 hours to do the trip that now takes three and a half.

No car radio meant either endless games of “I spy”, or singing ourselves. Or trying to make barley-sugars last an eternity, thus bringing silence for a while.
Innocent times.


Today, of course, there are endless opportunities for music while on the road. Which can mean competing choices amongst travellers, or the closing off of everyone into their own musically cocooned world of ipods. Finding a middle ground when a 15 year- old wants to listen to self proclaimed “shit-rock” noise band TFF, while his 10 year-old sister wants to listen to “High School Musical” is rather difficult.

4 Years on from that 2009 tension, the 2013 xmas pilgrimage to Riverton found a more acceptable musical equilibrium for all. A few whanau favourites from that trip follow . . .

First I heard this song was a 2am awakening from the fall-asleep-in-front-of-the-tv daze which occasionally occurs at the end of a long week’s work. Momentarily disorientating; flickering black and white screen; aggressive, thumping, propulsive beats- and a favourite of the 14 year old on this trip.

Kanye West- Black Skinhead



Another frequent choice of hers was this from David Dallas, (featuring Ruby Frost)- which could well have been the ubiquitous NZ track on the Solid Gold albums from days past.

David Dallas feat. Ruby Frost- The Wire


The mightily talented Lisandru Grigorut (once part of the Communist Rainbow Relationship as well as other acts) has another new musical persona, but this is from his excellent 8-bit and house influenced “concept album” of last year. In recent years, $noregazZzm have been a bit of a feature on car trips where the (on-this-trip) 19 year old has been with us- check out any of his stuff- there are another couple of cool clips here and here.

$noregazZzm – Computer Whatevers

http://charismacollective.bandcamp.com/album/spirit-hell-beings-21


Sun breaking through rain clouds over the undulating plains of Southland. Only a cold heart could not find some joy and a smile listening to this lovely debut album towards the end of the 2 and a half hour drive. Gorgeous stuff.

Trick Mammoth- Delphine (With a Purpose)


The Puddle were a regular feature for us at the Cellars Bar in Dunedin in the early 1990’s. The efforts in recent years of Fishrider’s Ian Henderson (current drummer for the band), combined with the musical and lyrical genius of George D. Henderson, has delivered new albums and gigs, as well as ensuring the great talent of this – over time- widely and interestingly populated band. GDH also featured in excellent Mink for a period of time.

(A recent Puddle release features guest vocals from Millie Lovelock (Astro Children/ Trick Mammoth)and Adrian Ng (Mavis Gary/ Trick Mammoth))
https://thepuddle.bandcamp.com/track/hedgehog-hill


The Puddle- Southern Man


This post is already too long, so Vol 9 song will have to wait till next time.

2013 Live

I reckon live music has a power that can never be replicated in a recorded format. The subtle change; the missed beat; the forgotten lyric- each can contribute to an instant where the listener feels they are part of a unique moment of time. A mesmerising confluence of imperfection and perfection- fleeting and lasting at the same time.

I particularly love seeing the interaction within a band when they appear oblivious to the audience. (Funnily enough, this video of the Verlaines- who played tonight with Astro Children, Trick Mammoth and Surf City- has just such a moment late in the clip, even though it is not “live”).

Anyhoo . . . instead of trying out fancy words (“Confluence”?? FFS), here are four tracks of artists from live performances I have had the joy to experience this year. All of them moved me for different reasons and in different ways. All of them were brilliant and left me wanting more; and all have remained firmly embedded in my memory since.

We spent about three weeks in Sydney just after Christmas last year. Lots of cool stuff to do, including some free events as part of the Sydney Festival. Isaac and I got to go to an amazing free concert in the Royal Botanic Gardens- the Daptone Super Soul Revue. Kindly fellow bus patrons guided us to the correct place, wandering through town and discussing the oddities and variance of NZ/ Australian vocab. A warm night; close to the stage; fantastic performers. Perfect.

We knew nothing of Charles Bradley before this, apart from the promotional material for the show. And what a show.

Charles Bradley- Why is it so hard?





Happy coincidence (perhaps a confluence of events?) and a bit of planning meant I got to stay in Wellington for an extra couple of days for this one. (I went to see the Phoenix on the Sunday, and the intro for then coach Ricki Herbert was met with silence by the crowd- a sad beginning of the end for his coaching tenure). Fun though the football was- actually joining the feverzone for the first time – this gig was far more memorable. Probably less than 1000 people there, which meant an intimate feeling show. Despite Chan Marshall really never speaking to the audience except through song (and hey, that’s what I was there for), it was a very close, engaging and personal performance. One of the best of the year.

Cat Power- Cherokee





Familial connections acknowledged- for raw, visceral and intelligent live music, this was totally a favourite. A packed Chicks Hotel for their album launch, Astro Children played the best set I have seen from them. The crowd propelled by thumping, just-in-control drumming; drawn in and thrown out by, in turns, beguiling and brutal vocals; and all enveloped in swirling, droning, pulsating and melodic guitar. Excellent gig; excellent album worthy of many listens.

A bit hard to choose one track, but went with this. (Here a close second). I love how it builds in pace. Live it started faster than on the album, but still (just) managed not to careen off the stage and create carnage on the dancefloor. Joyous chaos reigned supreme anyway.

Astro Children- Eden




Back to where the year started for live music. The night was darkening but still warm. We could see bats silhouetted as they flew above the stage.
Also performing at the Daptone show was the wonderful Sharon Jones. A true privilege to see her live- owning the stage and bossing the audience; shimmering in her blue-sparkle dress; carnal, human and humorous all at once- just as all good (soul/funk) music/life should be. The final numbers, with Charles Barkley and the rest of the revue, were almost rapturous. Heady stuff indeed.


Sharon Jones- 100 Days; 100 Nights