little DAY OUT

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”

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.

A confirmed supporter of the project is Jordan Luck, who’ll be belting out hits for his third successive LDO festival in an effort to raise money for the project.

As the country’s first inductee into the NZ Music Hall of Fame, he’s conscious of the value of such public spaces.

“Westmere kids and the community desperately need a place they can call their own.

I remember school assemblies being a huge amount of fun and a vital place for young ones to try their hand at the performing arts.

I challenge my mates to join in and give a bit of their time for the next generation.”

Jordan’s new video for “Here They Come, There They Go” is here (Quicktime Version ) or below if you prefer it as an embedded video.

Other performers already booked are Don McGlashan, as well as high school band AD/BC which includes Don’s son Louis.

Don is recognised as one of New Zealand’s foremost songwriters, artists and performers with five entries in APRA New Zealand’s Top 100 Songs Of All Time.

His career spans from the seminal post-pop-punk band Blam Blam Blam, to art experimentalists The Front Lawn, to platinum selling and internationally recognised popular band The Mutton Birds.

With his new band The Seven Sisters, McGlashan performs songs from his first solo album Warm Hand, favourites from The Mutton Birds and the Front Lawn, and some classics in the making from the new album. More information about Don is available on the Arch Hill website here.

Big Day Out production manager turned Little Day Out volunteer, Robbie Barclay has more acts to be confirmed.