little DAY OUT

Classic Hits has kindly provided radio airtime for advertising the Little Day Out. The first radio spot was completed just this week with Jordan Luck.

The plan is to have a couple more ads with featuring other LDO performers as well.

Click on the audio icon below to have a listen.
LDO on the Radio Ad Radio (Ad is 30 seconds – 1mb)

There is also a TV ad being completed but more news on that later. The ad was also kindly produced by Images & Sound

The Bads are playing the Little Day Out!

Brett Adams and Dianne Swann who started writing together and formed The Julie Dolphin in London in 1992. ( Full bio here.)

Eventually…

Dianne and Brett returned to New Zealand in 2002 and have recently finished recording Earth From Space, an album of songs they have written together and separately as The Bads.

Check the bads myspace page for some sounds especially “Carry the Weight.”

After the amazing and sometimes stressful London experience, they feel a lot more relaxed about music and things in general and which is evident in this collection of songs that show a strength and maturity, and have a unique yet timeless quality.

Preview 2 songs from the Album Earth From Space, (album link has more samples and a buy option for songs or the CD.)

Off The Rails Off the Rail about 1 min:20 seconds and

Trouble rides a Dark Horse- Trouble rides a Dark Horse about 1 min:40 seconds.

Here is a video of the “Carry the Weight”

Speaking of merry helpers; can we have some more please? Do your bit for the community early this year, feel virtuous and cross it off your New Year’s Resolutions list.

There’s so much that needs doing there’s bound to be something you’d enjoy, for example:Help run a food stall, cook sausages, make ham rolls – Jessica Chapple needs around 40 people, including some to set up from 0930 and then run the stalls throughout the day. If everyone chips in (tee hee), your stint need only be for a couple of hours.

Here’s your opportunity for a work out. Bryce Solomon is grounds and logistics guy, and it’s going to be a big event, so please give him a hand. If you can set up in the morning from 0800 you’ll be free to enjoy the day, alternatively try out your meet and greet persona and do a session on the gates from 1100 onwards.

If you’re keen to escape the house on Sunday morning, there’s always the clean up from 0800-1200.

Email helpers@littledayout.co.nz with when and what you would like to help with.
(Read on …)

Steve Abel

Has been confirmed for the Little Day Out. His debut album “Little Death” was released in February 2006 and has been described as “a hidden treasure;” it has attracted glowing reviews and was achieved through a collaboration of some of New Zealand’s finest musicians.

The band, described by the NZ Herald as a “Kiwi supergroup,” are: Gareth Thomas (Goodshirt) accordion; Geoff Maddock, (Goldenhorse, Bressa Creeting Cake) electric guitar; Milan Borich (Pluto’s front man, Bic Runga band) drums; Mike Hall (Pluto, Brunettes, Dimmer) double bass.

Steve has just completed a new album called “Flax Happy” and will be performing at the LDO with Geoff Maddock and Gareth Thomas. You can listen to some of Steve’s music here.

Dave McArtney’s Pink Flamingos now confirmed for the LDO

Dave is probably best known for his solo career as one of the country’s most prominent singer-songwriters throughout the eighties with the Pink Flamingos, formed with the late Paul Hewson of Dragon fame – and as guitarist and co-songwriter with Graham Brazier in the legendary Ponsonby band Hello Sailor.

The band, with all original members, is still active in the music industry and is currently writing and recording material for a new album.

Twice nominated for the APRA Silver Scroll (1981 & 1995) and 5 awards at the 1981 Recording Industry Awards, for the album Dave Mcartney and the Pink Flamingos, including Group of the Year, Album of the Year and Best Male vocalist, Dave has a BA in English, majoring in Renaissance poetry, and during the nineties taught in various institutions in Southern Germany.

He is currently working on the definitive story of Hello Sailor and its adventures in the music business.

Here is a sound sample below from Do that Thing which will play within the browser. More sounds over here.

Do that Thing.

Also now confirmed for LDO are The Darlings who feature Jackie Clarke, Callie Blood, Wayne Bell, helped out (on the album) most tastefully by Mark Hughes (bass), Rob Galley (guitar), and Steve Garden (drums). For the Little Day Out they will play as a 3 piece.

Jackie Clarke is renowned for her maverick entertainment style, whether it is treading the boards in musicals, sitting in judgement on NZ Idol, or fronting that large band the NZSO.

Callie Blood has spent much of her musical life behind the scenes, singing with the likes of Dave Dobbyn, Barry Saunders and Jenny Morris, as well as featuring prominently on Tex Pistol’s 1987 chart-topper ‘The Game Of Love’, while Wayne Bell has been drummer to the stars, laying down the beat behind everyone from Bic Runga to Greg Johnson.

They list their influences as Lucinda Williams, Ryan Adams, Elliott Smith, Dolly Parton, Joe Henry, Elvis Costello, The Dixie Chicks etc. They have just released their debut album called “The Cicada Sessions.” You may buy that CD or mp3 here.

“Here is a rare thing: popular music for grown-ups. A bunch of brand new songs that will make you laugh and cry, and sing in your sleep.

Funnily, the Darlings never set out to make a classic album of grown-up pop, though that is exactly what they have done. ..”

For a 40sec sample of “Looks Alright” click below.

Looks Alright

Listen to full versions of 3 songs on the Darlings myspace site. Their new site is here.

In The Darlings news file

The 15th annual Norfolk Island Country Music Festival from May 25 to June 1 is a popular event for fans and performers alike as a showcase for country music in Australasia.

New Zealand trio The Darlings headlines the festival together with Australian country musicians Bill Chambers and The Flood for a week of toe tapping action.