SECTIONS

Sounds Good to Me

EntertainmentMarch 27

Curse of the Crooks?

Covid has been the end of many gigs, but the timing couldn’t be more unfortunate than for the Rezzy Crooks, writes Fraser Thompson.
Curse of the Crooks?
Curse of the Crooks?
EntertainmentOctober 31

Complementary forces

I haven’t been writing about local music much recently because I’m in self-imposed exile from local gigs until I’m fully vaccinated. On the bright side, though, it’s giving me a lot of time to listen to albums, writes Fraser Thompson.
Complementary forces
Complementary forces
EntertainmentOctober 3

Dreaming of touring again

Local indie band Marlin’s Dreaming have just released their third studio album, and to summarise, it’s another winner.
Dreaming of touring again
Dreaming of touring again
EntertainmentSeptember 19

Flying high and solo

Local musician Mackenzie Hollebon, aka Juno Is, has been filling Otepoti venues with dreamy psych vibes since 2019, writes Fraser Thompson.
Flying high and solo
Flying high and solo
EntertainmentAugust 22

Distinctly in harmony

The spirit of song and the wairua of waiata flow together in the music of Aro. Tom McKinlay talked to the two halves of the musical partnership about their new EP.
Distinctly in harmony
Distinctly in harmony
EntertainmentAugust 15

Finding some space

It’s been a winter of discontent for Dunedin’s music community. Old grievances that have tormented the scene for decades are bubbling to the surface and erupting.
Finding some space
Finding some space
EntertainmentJuly 25

Back to bust out the beats

James Barrett has spent the last few years making a splash in the venerable techno scene of Berlin. Now in Covid-ravaged 2021, he’s escaped to his homeland and is wasting no time in bringing his brand of dark pounding techno to the ravers of Aotearoa. I caught up with James ahead of his return to Otepoti at Negative Space Club this Friday.
Back to bust out the beats
Back to bust out the beats
EntertainmentJuly 4

Winter fest a winner

While Dunedin may perpetually lack venues, we make up for it in the sheer quantity of community organised events - often taking place in strange and innovative spaces, writes Fraser Thompson.
Winter fest a winner
Winter fest a winner
EntertainmentJune 27

Experiments in style and substance

In March this year ex-Dunedinite Kane Strang surprised everyone by quietly dropping an album, his first in four years, without any of the extended industry machinations which usually go with an album release from an established artist.
Experiments in style and substance
Experiments in style and substance
EntertainmentJune 13

And all that jazz

If there’s one thing we can all agree on in the music community, it’s that we’d quite like more spaces to perform and experience music in, which is why it pleases me greatly to see a new initiative intent on giving us exactly that.
And all that jazz
And all that jazz
EntertainmentJune 6

People get ready

In February 2020, just before everything turned to custard, New New New hosted its largest line-up of acts to date. The event was called Music for People.
People get ready
People get ready
EntertainmentMay 23

Making some noise for Myanmar

It seems like there’s a lot of turmoil in the world right now, maybe there always has been. But it’s good to be aware of what’s happening outside of your bubble and help where you can, writes Fraser Thompson.
Making some noise for Myanmar
Making some noise for Myanmar
EntertainmentMay 2

Embracing a happy vibe

The evolution of Bathysphere has been fascinating to witness.
Embracing a happy vibe
Embracing a happy vibe
EntertainmentApril 11

Tracks converge on new compilation

Local music compilations have lost a bit of lustre in recent years, but their contribution to music can’t be understated.
Tracks converge on new compilation
Tracks converge on new compilation
EntertainmentMarch 28

Delving into The Veils

Indie band The Veils is touring New Zealand and, for the first time, will perform its dark and brooding 2006 sophomore album Nux Vomica in its entirety. Fraser Thompson caught up with frontman Finn Andrews.
Delving into The Veils
Delving into The Veils
EntertainmentMarch 19

Only spectacle is guaranteed

The Dunedin Fringe Festival is officially under way and if you’re looking for something to see, hear, or do this weekend, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Only spectacle is guaranteed
Only spectacle is guaranteed
EntertainmentFebruary 21

Reality TV and radio

There are two things that get me out of bed in the morning: music and reality TV. So you can imagine my excitement when it was announced that Dave Borrie, local Radio 1 DJ and musician (The Shitz, L. Hotel) was going to be on the new season of TVNZ’s The Bachelorette — finally, the crossover I’ve been waiting for: student radio and reality television!
Reality TV and radio
Reality TV and radio
EntertainmentFebruary 14

Males back on stage

In 2012, Males, Astro Children, Two Cartoons and Kane Strang were the main stays of the local Indie scene. Males’ catchy single So High was thrashed by student radio stations across the nation. Then, in 2016, without even a bang or a whimper, the trio played their last show, before going on an extended hiatus.
Males back on stage
Males back on stage
EntertainmentFebruary 7

Back on schedule

When local musician Abby Wolfe returned to Dunedin in 2019 she noticed something was missing. She’d just spent three years in Auckland, the centre of New Zealand’s music industry and the home of the majority of our musicians, writes Fraser Thompson.
Back on schedule
Back on schedule
EntertainmentJanuary 24

Reasons to get on board

It’s got distortion and feedback and harmonics, enough to pique the interests of the more doom-prone metal people, but not too much to scare away everyone else. It’s got songs: Catchy ones, groovy ones, dancey ones. And it’s got a punk-like energy, humour, and politics. In short, it’s damn good.
Reasons to get on board
Reasons to get on board
EntertainmentDecember 13

Opening the fesivities

Adelaide Cara.is one of five acts taking part in Nadia Reid’s Christmas Show - a festive celebration of local music at the Port Chalmers Town Hall, writes Fraser Thompson.
Opening the fesivities
Opening the fesivities
EntertainmentDecember 4

No space safe for creation

Dunedin is set to lose another creative venue, laments Fraser Thompson.
No space safe for creation
No space safe for creation
EntertainmentNovember 8

Through the tough times

The Phoenix Foundation is playing in Dunedin on Friday as part of its Friend Ship tour of Aotearoa. Fraser Thompson caught up with Samuel Flynn Scott to talk friendship, practice spaces and collaboration.
Through the tough times
Through the tough times
EntertainmentOctober 25

Power to the people

Tamaki Makaurau feminist-socialist party punks Dick Move started the year on a high, opening for Welsh post-hardcore band McLusky, before Covid hit and everything turned to custard.
Power to the people
Power to the people
EntertainmentOctober 11

A poor practice

Located at the top of a three-storey commercial building on George St, The Attic is the most important place you haven’t heard of.
A poor practice
A poor practice