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There’s all sorts of new music emerging. Let’s cut to the chase...
The album everyone’s talking about, with good reason, is Tami Neilson’s new one.
Tami is apparently a darling of the musical scene in Canada which is remarkable. Earning that status in not one but two countries means you’re doing something pretty special.
That’s where she’s at in New Zealand right now, having ascended through small gigs and folk clubs – including Katikati of course – each album bigger and better and more widely successful. It’s now a full decade since her Dynamite! album; 2022′s Kingmaker topped the charts and drew wider recognition, in part because of its duet with Willie Nelson. That’s pretty high cotton whoever you are...
Tami Neilson.
So Tami’s new album makes perfect sense. Neilson Sings Nelson is an entire album of the great songwriter’s songs, from the famous to “deep cuts”. It would have been worth it just for the title but the music is pretty damn good too. I can’t help but hear the name as also a shout-out to an old musical favourite, the wonderful Nilsson Sings Newman from 1970. The two relevant Christian names there are Harry and Randy.
Also out is the new Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings album I mentioned a few weeks back, Woodland. It is indeed a thing of beauty. Unusually you can listen online or buy a download, but CDs or LPs are a pre-order only available in November.
While we’re folking it I should mention long-standing local duo My Pennyworth, Paul Hoggard and Penelope Rowsell, who are playing for the Katikati Folk Club at the Arts Junction on Friday September 20.
The harmonising pair mix it up with guitar, keyboard, accordion, bodhran and penny whistle, their music leaning Celtic and the show previewing songs from their upcoming sixth album.
My Pennyworth.
Moving into alternative territory, Loserpalooza was a blast last weekend, at least the eight bands I saw; I’m sure the rest were equally entertaining. I was sorry to miss 5G Meatsuit, a trio including bass player Austin Cunningham, the man who set up the festival, which raised another $5000 for Lifeline. I have, however, discovered their 2022 album and like it a lot.
Austin had a busy day. As well as personally minding the door he also played with Choke Flower, a trio formed to honour his friend, musician Chris Robinson who died earlier this year, with Chris’ partner Jess, a fantastic singer, fronting.
Threat.Meet.Protocol.
So there was no time for Austin’s most well-known trio, Threat.Meet.Protocol, what with their drummer Evan Pope also doing the main sound mixing. But they have been touring and have a new single out, Funeral March, relentlessly building and utterly uncompromising, recorded at the Mount’s Studio 11b by Evan, mastered by the renowned John Golden (Melvins, Sonic Youth, Soundgarden) and accompanied on YouTube by a very cool animated video.
It’s the first track off a self-titled album due early 2025 and a lead-up for a 10-date tour with cult American band Spotlights in November.