Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Conscious Party

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  • giovanni tiso,

    And don't try and book a hall in Auckland on Saturday, November 8. You won't get one. For that is the date of the general election.

    Damn. It's my partner's birthday. She's not going to be happy. Unless things go unexpectedly well, of course. Then I wouldn't even need to buy her a present. Say, you don't have the inside scoop of who's going to win, do you?

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • peter mclennan,

    Seymour Stein was in the country recently to audition a local act. His condition was coming was that a private pub gig be staged for him, and him alone.

    Wouldnt have anything to do with Gin Wigmore getting chased for a US deal? And how about Savage selling half a million in the US? "Swing" moves to #10 on the iTunes Hip-Hop chart and #35 on the overall singles chart." from MTC blog

    AK Central • Since Nov 2006 • 159 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    Did Helen Clark give The Speech again?

    Or has a new one been written?

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Damn. It's my partner's birthday. She's not going to be happy. Unless things go unexpectedly well, of course. Then I wouldn't even need to buy her a present.

    Meh... spent most of Election Night '05 at a friend's birthday party. Can't say it was an evening ill spent.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Grant Robertson,

    Martin got to his Brian Wilson place

    brilliant. that is the best description of Martin in top form I can think of. I remember my brother writing a review of a Chills gig in Dunedin in the early 90s where he described Martin as being 'brushed by the hand of god". but I think you have topped it. wish I had been there.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 25 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Did Helen Clark give The Speech again?

    Or has a new one been written?

    New script, same slightly irritating ra-ra tone. But there's no denying she goes down well with that crowd.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Meh... spent most of Election Night '05 at a friend's birthday party. Can't say it was an evening ill spent.

    We have an inordinately young family, our version of painting the town red at the moment is a trip to the mailbox. And she can't booze it up on account of the breastfeeding. I wouldn't count on my fabulousness alone to salvage the evening.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    brilliant. that is the best description of Martin in top form I can think of

    Martin used to say that a good Chills song should "breathe" in and out. And about a third of the way in, I thought "it's breathing". It could really not have come off, but it really did.

    Again, mad props to Don McGlashan for that brilliant end to a wonderful evening of music.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I was half-dreading Little Bushman's performance of Liam Finn's 'Gather to the Chapel', but when they swelled it up into a lurching soul groove, it was remarkable too.

    And then the Sami Sisters came on to play OpShop's 'One Day', charmed everyone in the room and departed laughing and high-fiving.

    OK, so are they going to end up on You Tube or something, because I find the originals tedious. Sorry, but they're like the aural equivalent of Vigil.

    The evening began with a moving musical tribute to the late Mahinarangi Tocker. One of our regulars here, Jackie Clark, was Mahinarangi's friend and sister in law, and she can be assured that the spirit of that tribute flowed through the evening.

    As I said to Jackie at the time, I didn't always like Tocker's work -- but her passion and committment really get me where I lived. And while I'm sure the tribute was moving and sincere, wouldn't it have been nice if she'd had a LOT more recognition (and commercial success, to be mercenary about it) when she was around to enjoy it. I know life isn't fair, but I don't have to like it.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Janet Digby,

    So, the 8th of November...I can't find any announcements anywhere?!

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12 posts Report Reply

  • Stuart Coats,

    Where were the Nats? Couldn't they have sent one member along?

    Maybe after the disgraceful show of manners after Don Brash's appearance at the NZ Music awards a couple of years ago they've decided they are better off out of it.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 192 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Beard,

    Is it just me who cannot think of an Op Shop song? You mention something called "One Day", but nothing comes to mind. Am I out of sync with what the hip kids are listening to?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1040 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Maybe after the disgraceful show of manners after Don Brash's appearance at the NZ Music awards a couple of years ago they've decided they are better off out of it.

    It was three years ago at a completely different event. Don't be silly.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Stuart Coats,

    It was three years ago at a completely different event. Don't be silly.

    So the same people don't attend both?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 192 posts Report Reply

  • JohnAmiria,

    So, the 8th of November...I can't find any announcements anywhere?!

    It hasn't been announced yet. Russell found some briefing notes Mallard left behind in the cafeteria.

    hither and yon • Since Aug 2008 • 215 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    So the same people don't attend both?

    Given that National MPs turned out in force at the Music Awards the year after the Brash stupidity on the part of a couple of presenters (neither of whom worked in the music industry), your theory doesn't really make any sense.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Stuart Coats,

    I don't have a theory really, but it wouldn't surprise me that, given the general left wing nature of such gatherings, the Nats wrote off things like the music, film and TV awards etc as not worth their time.

    As someone who works in the arts I do hope that I am wrong and being unduly pessimistic as it would be great to think that the party that is, let's face it, likely to be the next government cares about these industries. I just have my doubts.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 192 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    I don't have a theory really, but it wouldn't surprise me that, given the general left wing nature of such gatherings, the Nats wrote off things like the music, film and TV awards etc as not worth their time.

    Or perhaps Chris Finlayson and John Key actually had prior engagements? Believe it happens to Helen Clark too. But I guess that's far too simple for anyone's liking, so please disregard and carry on.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Rogan Polkinghorne,

    Isn't Opshop's 'One Day' the song from those dripping-wet-but-shallow-as-a-puddle NZ Post ads?

    It's got something to do with 'One day my mail will get delivered on time', or something like that?

    A-town • Since Nov 2006 • 105 posts Report Reply

  • Stuart Coats,

    Or perhaps Chris Finlayson and John Key actually had prior engagements?

    You're right Craig, they could well have. But every National MP?

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 192 posts Report Reply

  • Stuart Coats,

    On an unrelated line, I just saw that Elbow won the Mercury Prize in the UK for their album Seldom Seen Kid. That cheered me up.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 192 posts Report Reply

  • B Jones,

    Is it just me who cannot think of an Op Shop song? You mention something called "One Day", but nothing comes to mind. Am I out of sync with what the hip kids are listening to?

    Everyone who's seen one of those NZ Post ads with the guy finding the girl's wallet, or the young man with the new baby and the estranged father, will have heard the song - it starts "absence makes the heart grow fonder..."

    It's not hip kids music, it's very very mainstream.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 976 posts Report Reply

  • FletcherB,

    I already booked my Auckland hall for Nov 8th, what with me turning 40 and all...

    Live Music, BBQ and no TV reception or interweb... I'll be oblivious to the election results.... and not just because of the alcohol. :)

    West Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 893 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Beard,

    Everyone who's seen one of those NZ Post ads with the guy finding the girl's wallet, or the young man with the new baby and the estranged father, will have heard the song

    So, I must have heard it, but ... nope, not ringing any bells. Even that irritating Elemeno P song from the Telecom ad sticks in one's brain, in exactly the same way as a rusty harpoon would.

    it starts "absence makes the heart grow fonder..."

    So the award must have been for original lyrics, then. I prefer the only slightly less cliched line "Absinthe makes the heart grow larger".

    It's not hip kids music, it's very very mainstream.

    That's what I figured.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1040 posts Report Reply

  • B Jones,

    Hang on a sec, it's actually "Absence make her heart grow fonder".

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 976 posts Report Reply

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