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The Fascinating Turnip · 07-10-2010, 09:21 PM

^ You lovely people.

Flying Nun Records

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.

07-10-2010, 09:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
The Fascinating Turnip Moper Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 510	^ You lovely people. Flying Nun Records 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.