An ambitious and gloriously rich 78-minute double album, Fandango was recorded at five studios throughout New Zealand over a 15-month period with the typical expansive, hypnotic grooves and bold, luscious arrangements you'll find on any Phoenix Foundation release.
On Fandango, the band also flirts with more experimental territory. Venturing into darker, psychedelic places, there's even hints of krautrock, such as on the stretched-out Sideways Glance.
With support from the British music press finally gaining momentum, this could be ''the one'' for the Wellington six-piece which first gained the attention of New Zealand audiences in the early 2000s.
With a first Dunedin show already sold out, the band is playing an encore show tomorrow night at Chick's Hotel - it's sure to be packed, so get in early.
• Set to release their debut album Popular People Do Popular People on local micro-independent label Fishrider Records next month, melodic jangle-pop foursome the Prophet Hens debut a new single and video next Saturday at Re:Fuel.
Citing seminal Dunedin acts the Bats and The Chills as prime influences, The Prophet Hens first performed in the city mid-January last year after guitarist/vocalist Karl Bray began writing songs while laid up at home recovering from surgery.
With a line-up now completed by Darren Stedman (The Verlaines), Penelope Esplin, and Robin Cederman, the group's album is part Dunedin-part UK as the nine tracks slip by, sweet and carefree.
The video for their single Pretty was produced by local company BOTU (Bus of the Undead) on the peninsula and will be available to watch online after the show.
• A slew of Dunedin acts will pay tribute to our city's musical culture next Saturday, covering songs from artists past and present in the annual Dunedin Circle Jerk at Sammy's.
Organised by Deano Shirriffs, the event will feature more than 10 acts performing on two stages with at least one of their songs being a cover of another Dunedin song.
Expect to hear classics from the likes of the 3Ds and Straitjacket Fits, alongside more infamous Dunedin tracks, such as Dr Glam's Ghost Train, and perhaps even DJ Fadez's Livin' on the Edge.
Be there
- The Phoenix Foundation, with David Kilgour and the Heavy Eights, and Terror of the Deep, tomorrow at Chick's Hotel (Port Chalmers). Doors open 8pm. Tickets available from www.undertheradar.co.nz
- Prophet Hens' Pretty video single release party, Saturday, July 27, at Re:Fuel (640 Cumberland St) with GAG and the Tarseals. $10 on the door.
- Dunedin Circle Jerk 2013 (Dunedin bands covering Dunedin songs) featuring Left or Right, Osmium, Cult Disney, Males, Geysers, Kahu, The Fu King, Sonic Smith with Trojan Pryor, A Distant City, The Maine Coons, Jo Little and Jared Smith, Boon, Fat Children, at Sammy's 8pm until 3am, $10 on the door.
