If you haven’t listened yet check it out on Bandcamp, it’s well worth it. Try the single Satsuma. If you don’t enjoy the dark groovy mood with discordant interlaid vocals and a bassline that wriggles and snakes its way throughout, then, unfortunately, Mermaidens probably isn’t for you. But, if like me, you can’t get enough of it, you probably won’t want to miss the gig tonight.
I asked Mermaidens vocalist and guitarist Gussie Larkin to explain the group’s sound.
"To me, I feel like our sound has gone through lots of transitions, especially with the latest record, but, I guess, at the heart of it we’re always exploring each part having its own unique journey rather than, you know, playing a three-chord progression pattern. There’s this interplay between each of the instruments that is unique, sometimes unsettling, sometimes groovy.
"It’s a really kind of dynamic sound, and when we started recording we made a lot of deliberate decisions about sound rather than our first couple of recordings, which were kind of just capturing the live band."
James Goldsmith from Blue Barn Studios in Wellington evidently did an excellent job capturing that roomy, dynamic atmosphere, because it sounds great. It will be interesting to see how they translate that sound to a live performance.
Indicative of their ability to create interesting music is the fact that Mermaidens is signed to Flying Nun. It would be easy for the label to bask indefinitely in the glow of its significant legacy but, as Gussie explains, they’re actively trying not to become just a reissue label.
"I think what they’re doing now, the bands that they’ve got now on their roster, just shows they’re grabbing the really interesting and unique and talented artists that are coming out right now, and that’s really great. And there’s a lot of really good female artists at the forefront of the label at the moment, so that’s really cool. I’m happy to be part of that.
"I still really appreciate the legacy of the label and everyone that works there is really lovely."
Tonight’s gig was fully organised by Radio One, which is great for the musicians because they don’t have to worry about bookings, promotion or anything; they can just show up and do what they do best. It also means it’s free with a Radio One card and only $10 without.
Surprisingly though they didn’t opt for any of the "regular" venues. Instead, it’s at Benessere Studios, which is a creative space on the fifth floor of an office building on Princes St. Sounds weird, but it’s actually a really nice and cosy space, with wooden floors and lots of natural light. I think it’s really under-appreciated and I’d love to see more shows there, but it’s not very big, so best get there early.
Playing with them are consistently incredible local psychrockers Koizilla and Earth Tongue, which is Gussie’s other band. She describes them as "a psychy doom two piece" with "really fuzzy riffs" and warns gig goers to expect a mosh pit. I’m pumped.
Coincidentally, wildly popular local indie export Kane Strang is playing a show at None Gallery on the same night. Being the cool guy he is, he moved his show to 6.30pm so it doesn’t clash with Mermaidens. That one’s all ages and $10. I strongly recommend going to both.
For more from Fraser go to dunedinmusic.com.
- Fraser Thompson
The gigs
• Mermaidens play Benessere Studios, Princes St, tonight, with Koizilla and Earth Tongue, from 9pm.
• Kane Strang plays None Gallery tonight at 6.30pm.
