Blue Smoke Open: 7:00pm – Show Time: 8:30pm

The second full-length album from Australian singer/songwriter Julia Jacklin, Crushing embodies every possible meaning of its title word. It’s an album formed from sheer intensity of feeling, an in-the-moment narrative of heartbreak and infatuation. And with her storytelling centered on bodies and crossed boundaries and smothering closeness, Crushing reveals how our physical experience of the world shapes and sometimes distorts our inner lives.

“This album came from spending two years touring and being in a relationship, and feeling like I never had any space of my own,” says the Melbourne-based artist. “For a long time I felt like my head was full of fear and my body was just this functional thing that carried me from point A to B, and writing these songs was like rejoining the two.”

The follow-up to her 2016 debut Don’t Let the Kids Win, Crushing finds Jacklin continually acknowledging what’s expected of her, then gracefully rejecting those expectations. As a result, the album invites self-examination and a possible shift in the listener’s way of getting around the world—an effect that has everything to do with Jacklin’s openness about her own experience.

“I used to be so worried about seeming demanding that I’d put up with anything, which I think is common—you want to be chill and cool, but it ends up taking so much of your emotional energy,” says Jacklin. “Now I’ve gotten used to calling out things I’m not okay with, instead of just burying my feelings to make it easier on everyone. I’ve realized that in order to keep the peace, you have to speak up for yourself and say what you really want.”

Produced by Burke Reid (Courtney Barnett, The Drones) and recorded at The Grove Studios (a bushland hideaway built by INXS’ Garry Gary Beers), Crushing sets Jacklin’s understated defiance against a raw yet luminous sonic backdrop. “In all the songs, you can hear every sound from every instrument; you can hear my throat and hear me breathing,” she says. “It was really important to me that you can hear everything for the whole record, without any studio tricks getting in the way.”

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Blue Smoke Open: 7:30pm – Show Time: 9:00pm

In a mid-November Pitchfork article, Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy singled out Cate Le Bon as one of the ten artists that have meant the most to him, during his life. Tweedy says that Cate is “one of the best out there making music now. It’s really rare for people to have a specific sound anymore, but I can always tell when it’s her playing guitar.”

In mid-February, Cate Le Bon will tour New Zealand for a special pre-album release celebration – her fifth studio album, due out on Mexican Summer (Conan Moccasin, Ariel Pink) in April, 2019. These performances will feature Cate on piano, accompanied by John Thomas (Cate Le Bon/Islet) on synth and sampler, for a captivating and intimate rework of Cate’s diverse musical catalogue.

They will be joined at Blue Smoke by by everybody’s favorite bedroom pop artist, Pickle Darling.

Cate will arrive in New Zealand following a sold-out piano tour of the UK, in gorgeous, seated, historic surrounds; she is excited to shape that performance for audiences across a wide range of venues for her New Zealand run of shows.

Cate is amazing. Her vocals are rich and warm, a delicious aural treat, enveloping you within a shell of intoxicating melody. Her multi-instrumental mastery simultaneously shreds and quells. The takeaway from Cate Le Bon’s shows? A euphoric sonic experience – psychedelic, entrancing, quirky, poignant, dynamic and moving.

2018 saw the 2nd release of her weirdo-automatic-folk-ballad-krautrock side project, Drinks, with long-time partner in rhyme Tim Presley (White Fence) to much critical acclaim. In April of this year she traveled to Marfa, TX to work on a collaboration with Deerhunter’s Bradford Cox during the prestigious Marfa Myths Festival. This musical kinship and mutual admiration for one another led to Cox to ask her to produce their new album.

In addition to all the above, Cate also undertook furniture-making study in the Lake District, performing at various festivals in the UK, continued with pottery, and many other pursuits. And she said this was her year off!

File under maxi-minimal deconstructionist: for fans of architecture, night flights and the sea.

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Blue Smoke Open: 7pm – Show Time: 8pm

Entry free with an official Nostalgia Festival Wristband OR limited ‘after party only’ tickets available. Bargain student prices and a free bus back to the Uni at the end of the night.

Students: $20 – General Admission: $25

Let the good times roll!

Come along to Blue Smoke for the official Nostalgia Festival After Party and enjoy the sludge-pop melodies of Soaked Oats, once described as “a southern stew of Kurt Vile and Mac DeMarco with a good shake of Kevin Morby “.

Soul food, high licks and cool kicks available all night long.

Soaked Oats are a young four-piece band hailing from Dunedin, New Zealand. They write songs with thoughtful lyricism and guitar-driven pop sounds.

The band has been making waves across their homeland. After forming at the beginning of 2017, the band racked up 70 shows culminating in an appearance at Rhythm and Vines. In this time they released their debut EP ‘Stone Fruit Melodies’, followed later in the year by a second EP titled ‘No Slip Ups’.

In January 2018 Soaked Oats have completed a Summer tour (aka Soirée de Sludge) which saw them playing to expanding audiences at sold out venues across New Zealand. Since then the band has begun putting the finishing touches on a third release that they look to put out in the coming months.

“With a name like Soaked Oats, it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that the audio produced by these boys is real cheery! It’s music to wake up to, music to listen to in the sunshine, music to warm your insides.” – (Pilerats)

“Bold colours and dancing beats cut nicely through the grizzly cold of the NZ winter, warming the bones with relevant words and pop/rock’n’roll rhythms.” – (NZ Musician)

“They have an edge of course but they’re so talented and hard working and approachable that they’re able to make it feel like home, even if they’re playing to an away crowd. Even our security have commented on the lack of trouble at these gigs.” – (The Spinoff)

The post Soaked Oats at The Cassels & Sons Nostalgia After Party appeared first on Blue Smoke | Live Music Venue | Christchurch NZ.

Blue Smoke Open: 7:30pm – Show Time: 8:30pm

A showcase to celebrate the release of ‘Better Already’ – The songs of Al Park.

Buy a copy of the new album and get free entry to the show.

Featuring guest performances from some of NZ’s finest musicians; who sang, interpreted and recorded Al Parks songs for his album ‘Better Already’

Jordan Luck, Adam McGrath, Barry Saunders, Janice Grey, Adam Hattaway, Anthea Struthers, Helen Mulholland. (Also on the record but not at the show, Marlon Williams, Delaney Davidson, Anita Clark).

With the backing of an all star band throughout: Elemore Jones, Ryan Fisherman, Mike Kime and Adam Hattaway.

Support from Katie Thompson.

Who the f**k is Al Park?

Why are all these people on this record singing his songs?

Why do they care?

Because they owe him.

Influence is a funny thing. We get giddy over records, over heroes, over ideas, over history. The problem with that is the distance; the safe, impenetrable distance. Distance keeps the influence vague. We will never have coffee with Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie would never have dropped round to listen to your new songs, Patti Smith won’t help you with the low rent poetry you think might make some lyrics, and Chuck Berry would’ve never kicked your ass for sucking. They don’t or didn’t know you, so you’re safe. Their influence is distant and thus a comfort. What do you do however when the influence is just down the road, at the back of the pub watching the gig, or down at the coffee shop buying you a long black?

You anti up and acknowledge it and appreciate it and honor it. You say thanks.

That’s what ‘Better Already’ is. It’s a thank you, a very loud and appreciative tip o’ the cap to someone who has had a shoulder to many wheels, a hand in many helpings, a voice of wisdom in many thinkings and wonderings.

It’s a record that says,

“Who the f**k is Al Park?

He’s our friend, our brother, our anchor, our father, our loadstone, our voice of reason, our bullshit detector, our what to do and our what not do to, our supporter. He’s a deep real influence and we are grateful and this is our tribute”

In Christchurch, if you’ve been around music, as a fan, as a player, or as a business then you know Al Park. If you spend 10 minutes in public with him, you’ll have ten different hellos coming his way, from head nods to hour long debates everyone knows him to say hi to. Those close to him know his influence as well.

There’s probably (and thankfully) an Al in most towns and cities but for those of us in Christchurch we know him from everywhere:

From his early punk days in Vapour and the Trails and the founder of seminal (first and initially only) Punk venue ‘Mollet St.’,

To playing the pimp in The Exponents video for ‘Victoria’,

To packing every venue in town with the Latino Rock’n’Soul of Louie and the Hotsticks,

Standing behind the counter and dispensing (sometimes unwelcome!) opinions on everyone’s buying habits at Chch’s greatest record store Echo,

To being one of the meanest bar band leaders in The Latter Day Sinners,

To running one of the most popular touring circuit venues in Al’s Bar,

To being a father figure to the disparate friends who made up the ‘Lyttelton Sound’ (Marlon Williams, Aldous Harding, Delaney Davidson, The Eastern, Lindon Puffin),

And finally but not at all the end of things, as an integral part of the city’s post-quake musical recovery.

Al has simply been there for everything and everyone.

Through it all he’s been on his porch in Lyttelton and corners of bars everywhere around town writing and singing his own songs. Never really looking for the ‘big time’ and calling the idea of such out for the bullshit it so often is. For Al, it really has been to quote Townes all “for the sake of the song”.

That’s why Marlon Williams goes over for a curry and a beer in between conquering the world, that’s why Delaney Davidson and renowned poet Ben Brown want to write with him, that’s why Barry Saunders from The Warratahs will crash at Al’s on the way through to anywhere, why a fatherless Adam McGrath from The Eastern asked Al how to show him how to string his guitar when he was just a kid.

They do this because they know Al is a believer just like them and like Al will say, believers gotta stick together.

Al has influenced them all in many ways, as peer and as friend.

A life in music in a small town with city pretensions could be a tragic ‘could’ve/should’ve been kinda story, but Al has made it look like glorious, fun, adventurous and meaningful.

What a thing to show everyone who’s ever floated into his orbit.

Confused about a show? Need a show? Stuck on a song? Stuck in life? Need to know whether you should buy ‘Exile on Main St’ or ‘Let it Bleed’? Need to borrow money for lunch? Need a bed? A beer? A hopeful word?

You can call Al for all the above and more. That’s why all the people who sung these songs on ‘Better Already’ did it. Because they count on Al and they wanted to show him that he could count on him too.

It wasn’t a thing to do to make Al famous, or sell a million records, or any of that nonsense, it was just a fun idea and it turned out to be more, and to mean more, it was the right thing to do, by people who have always been done right by Al. Because he’s an influencer, not in a weak Instagram way, but in a deep wheel of faith giving kinda way. That’s why he counts and hopefully why this record will also.

Thanks Al!

The post The Songs Of Al Park ‘Better Already’ Album Release appeared first on Blue Smoke | Live Music Venue | Christchurch NZ.

Blue Smoke Open From: 7:30pm – Show Time: 8:30pm

Irish band The Young Folk are returning to New Zealand, in response to the success of their 2018 NZ tour.

Hailing from Dublin, The Young Folk marry traditional acoustic instrumentation and vocal harmonies with contemporary production techniques resulting in a sound which has been compared with Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver and Crosby Stills & Nash. “One of the most promising young bands to come out of Ireland in several decades” (Maverick Magazine)

Support from Your Indigo.

Amiria Grenell, Bryony Matthews and Josh Holmes have created an Alt Folk, Electronic sound with an undeniable hit of pop. Bringing an enchanting collection of sounds together, this band are bringing a beautiful, fresh, new sound to the stages of Aotearoa.

The Young Folk consists of Anthony Furey (vocals/guitar) and Paul Butler (vocals/piano/synth), both songwriters of exceptional talent. The duo are joined by New Zealander Alex Borwick (trombone/synth/percussion/banjo/vocals) and Marc Aubele (bass/mandolin/vocals) for their live shows, enabling The Young Folk to fully flex their musical muscle.

Alex has been based in Dublin for 6 years where he works as a producer/recording engineer at the world renowned Grouse Lodge Recording Studios, as well as playing in a variety of touring bands.

The Young Folk are signed to UK’s Pixie Pace Records, through which they released their debut album, The Little Battle, in 2014, which went straight to #2 in the Dutch charts and Top 10 in the Irish album charts. Their second album, First Sign Of Morning, was released in 2016. They are currently working on their third album, for release in 2019. The band have toured extensively all over the USA, Europe, and Australia, and are continually winning over new audiences.

“Intoxicating voices, punctuating, warm harmonies that illuminate the horizon of a fiery energy, a show not to be missed” – Pause Musicale, France

“This is an accomplished musical aggregate that join the microdots between Noah & The Whale and old Greenwich Village Kweskin Jug Band. This is folk in Cuban heels.” – The Evening Herald.

“First-rate alternative folk meets indie pop… First Sign of Morning is a rare and beautiful album… There is a bright future for The Young Folk ahead.” – Soundz Magazine

The post The Young Folk (Ireland) w/ Your Indigo appeared first on Blue Smoke | Live Music Venue | Christchurch NZ.

Blue Smoke Open: 7:30pm – Show Time: 8:30pm

Adam McGrath & Jess Shanks sing songs solo, together.

Adam McGrath is a folk singer stationed wherever he lands. He travels the state highways and byways of New Zealand, Australia, Europe and parts beyond, slinging songs and offering up low rent barroom philosophy with his band of misfits and chancers, The Eastern.

His songs have gathered a clutch of good reviews in NZ and overseas, he’s been nominated for a couple of serious music awards (including the Apra Silver Scroll), Graham Reid from the NZ herald called him ‘NZ’s toughest minded songwriter’ and Barry Saunders from The Warratahs simply described him as “The Truth”.

Having traversed the countryside for the last ten years in New Zealand’s hardest working band The Eastern, Jess Shanks is a renown guitar picking, banjo frailing, foot stomper with a sweet southern voice and a raft of songs built from years on the road.

Performing haunting contemporary folk tunes steeped in time and place and woven from her countless travels, Jess has cultivated an unique approach to New Zealand roots music, she has created something entirely her own, spellbinding and quintessentially kiwi.

The post Adam McGrath & Jess Shanks (The Eastern solo) appeared first on Blue Smoke | Live Music Venue | Christchurch NZ.

Blue Smoke Open: 6:00pm – Show Time: 7:30pm

“His is an age-old sound reminiscent of the kind of earthy blues, soul and folk that held sway during the mid-1960s. His rampaging slide stings, utilizing tried’n’true blues progressions but adding a modern sheen to the whole shebang…a dynamite new roots-reverent newcomer to the American blues scene.” – Classicalite Music Magazine

Australian based Isaiah B Brunt has always known where his hearts lies since he first heard his father strum the ukulele, blow his harmonica and unleash on the lap steel. Named 2010 Sydney Blues Society Performer of the Year, Isaiah went on to perform in the 2011 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee where he was one of the best dressed cats there and good enough musically to be one of the very few to be reviewed in the Memphis Daily News.

Isaiah’s latest album recorded in New Orleans, Just The Way That It Goes, was released to much acclaim and showcases the electric side of what he does. The album was voted best Australian Blues album for 2015 by the North American Underground Blues Network and mentioned amongst legendary icons Buddy Guy (US), John Mayall (UK) and Blues Hall of Fame Pinetop Perkins.

Isaiah will be accompanied by Bassist Mark Hornibrook, a seasoned performer who has worked with Blues Diva Sally King, Queen of Country music Anne Kirkpatrick and the infallible Jazz Icon Billy Field. And also by Drummer & Percussionist D Bruce Aitken, who has spent some time in Canada performing with award winning and Internationally Renowned Canadian Blues artists such as John Campbelljohn, Fred Eaglesmith and Matt MInglewood

Isaiah has been a production guy and former studio owner of Darling Harbour studios who has worked alongside some of Australia’s top groups including projects by Rob Hirst, Midnight Oil, Steve Prestwich and Cold Chisel. He has also worked with Julio Iglesias orchestra, hosted the Goo Goo Dolls and rehearsed American Idol’s Randy Jackson and his band for their Australian tour.

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Blue Smoke Open: 7:30pm – Show Time 8:30pm

Aotearoa’s first and finest New Orleans brass band, Richter City Rebels are hitting the road again for their annual summer tour around the beautiful South Island! Returning to the one and only Blue Smoke to deliver their signature explosive beats and feel-good vibe. Get your tickets and prepare yourself for a joyful and juicy plate of strong, rich New Orleans fire.

The Richter City Rebels’ music is heavy and soulful. Blending RnB, soul, hip-hop, jazz and funk, it grooves deeply and pulsates with pounding bass and searing brass. Catchy vocals and chants draw the crowd into the party and the rolling, infectious sound is punctuated by the fierce crack of drums and percussion. The music has the soul and charisma of James Brown, mixed with the effortless swagger of Big Daddy Kane. When it hits you, you can’t help but dance and feel good!

Trumpets, trombones, saxes, sousaphone, and percussion bring the ultimate Mardi Gras party to any venue or festival. Incorporating stylish original melodies and shouts, funked-up pop tunes and bouncing hip-hop, the Rebels’ sound embodies the musical melting pot of Louisiana.

Their energetic show has recently headlined at events including the Wellington Jazz Festival, Tora Tora Tora, Taranaki Arts Festival, National Jazz Festival, CubaDupa, and Meridian Gardens Magic. Crowds line up for their monthly residency at popular Wellington venues Havana and The Rogue and Vagabond, and they also tour New Zealand regularly.

Energy, entertainment, and musicianship of the highest quality: the Richter City Rebels guarantee a rousing New Orleans experience.

The post Richter City Rebels ‘South Island Tour’ appeared first on Blue Smoke | Live Music Venue | Christchurch NZ.

Blue Smoke Open: 6:00pm – Show Time: 7:00pm

Canada’s legendary Jane Siberry finally returns to New Zealand for a string of solo shows.

Iconic and enigmatic, Jane Siberry is one of music’s most unique and gifted singer-songwriters. Blessed with a sincere integrity and emotional depth, she has released 14 studio albums, including her much loved signature song Calling All Angels.

Jane’s songs have been covered by numerous artists, including K.D. Lang with her stunning renditions of Love is Everything and the 23rd Psalm-inspired The Valley.

She is on tour from November 2018 until June 2019 in her home country Canada as well as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the USA performing with equal enthusiasm at Carnegie Hall and living rooms around the world.

Siberry’s shows have a reputation for becoming a story on their own. Expect to be stimulated, entertained, temporarily worried and ultimately glad to be alive. She will be performing favourites such as ‘The Taxi Ride’, ‘Calling All Angels’ and her exciting new songs.

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Blue Smoke open: 6:30pm-Show time: 8:30pm

The Frank Burkitt Band are delighted to be returning to Blue Smoke as part of their 30 date ‘Lost but Alive’ NZ Tour. It was a great night the last time they were in town so don’t miss out.

Frank is a storyteller, songwriter, singer and guitarist. In that order. His rambling anecdotes aim to give the audience more of a connection with his songs. A folk songwriter at his core, American roots music with hints of jazz, blues and swing very much shape his music.

When he relocated to Wellington from Edinburgh with his partner and backing vocalist Kara Filbey, he formed The Frank Burkitt Band, with blues and country mandolin player Cameron Burnell and jazz double bassist James Geluk. This mix of styles and genres gives their show unique variety, alongside tight knit harmonies and well crafted arrangements.

2019 will see The Frank Burkitt Band embark on the longest tour of their lives. From January – June, they intend to take their music all around New Zealand, Australia and the UK. Yes, they are quite ambitious and slightly unhinged. They will be releasing a new live EP to coincide with their touring adventures.

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