Surreptitiously, However...
 

It’s the arts, ladies and gentlemen!

I thought it would be convenient to have a place to (in a way) organize my thoughts and share them with other members, and I think a journal would be just the thing.

That said, this will include musical and non musical ramblings: I might post some youtube videos and comment on them, or I might review some albums I like.

I hope I dont' forget to keep this updated, and that I'll entertain you all.

excited.

Still think you should have called it a packet of arse bandits :/

Or "He was either mad or both".

Oh yay, you did make one. I actually look forward to this. Seen as I don't much about your musical tastes :D

Looking forward to possibly seeing some of your favourite kiwi bands that you've been ranting on about in here :)

It's about time!

Looking forward to this one alot.

I already said I'm excited in the shoutbox but I'll say it again. I'm excited.

^ You lovely people.


One of my recent obsessions have been the bands that stemmed from this independent record label based in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The whole idea behind Flying Nun Records was to get the New Zealand scene music out there. Profit was far from being the most important thing, and that caused some problems down the road.

What I find terrific is that despite adopting this attitude, it still managed to survive and prosper, in a way, while supporting some of the most original acts in New Zealand and quite frankly the ones I love.
I'm sure you wished I could delight you a bit more on this subject, but there is a documentary on Youtube that will explain the whole thing much better than I possibly can. Here is the first part:



There are many bands from this record label I've been ranting on about, as Lateralus so charmingly put it. Amongst them are The Verlaines.

The band that nicked their name from Paul Verlaine (as one would notice upon listening Death And The Maiden) formed in 1981 in Dunedin, New Zealand.

A general description of their sound would be mellow, watery, if that makes any sense, and rather strikingly emotional; melancholy, at times.

Graeme Downes, the songwriter and vocalist/guitarist has described The Verlaines' songs as attempts to insert classical structures into pop songs, I believe. I have next to zero knowledge on musical theory but I feel this is rather accurate, as you can definitely hear it in the peculiar song structures and orchestral arrangements.

Regarding Downes' voice: it might not be amazing, but I find there's something moving about it. He seems passionate about his music and I find it impressive.

Having said that, I've seen some people say they saw The Verlaines live and that they gave all they had in every performance, which were rather powerful.
I've seen some snippets here and there, and I agree. Here are some live performances of Baud To Tears and The Ballad Of Harry Noryb that I enjoy:


I might review their first album Hallelujah All the Way Home later.

Fine work UB. That was a good read.

I havent exactly been taken by what i have heard from bands on this label just yet, as you know, but i think ill give The Verlaines a shot!

Great post, UB! I'm really enjoying all of this info on Flying Nun. You can see the influence of this scene on a lot of more recent NZ indie bands such as The Veils.