Surreptitiously, However...

The Fascinating Turnip · 07-09-2010, 04:11 PM

It’s the arts, ladies and gentlemen!

I thought it would be convenient to have a place to (in a way) organize my thoughts and share them with other members, and I think a journal would be just the thing.

That said, this will include musical and non musical ramblings: I might post some youtube videos and comment on them, or I might review some albums I like.

I hope I dont' forget to keep this updated, and that I'll entertain you all.

~~Sansa Stark~~ · 07-10-2010, 01:22 AM

excited.

Still think you should have called it a packet of arse bandits :/

NumberNineDream · 07-10-2010, 03:42 AM

Or "He was either mad or both".

FETCHER. · 07-10-2010, 06:20 AM

Oh yay, you did make one. I actually look forward to this. Seen as I don't much about your musical tastes

Astronomer · 07-10-2010, 06:46 AM

Looking forward to possibly seeing some of your favourite kiwi bands that you've been ranting on about in here

Mojo · 07-10-2010, 07:24 AM

It's about time!

Looking forward to this one alot.

~~James~~ · 07-10-2010, 10:37 AM

I already said I'm excited in the shoutbox but I'll say it again. I'm excited.

The Fascinating Turnip · 07-10-2010, 09:21 PM

^ You lovely people.

Flying Nun Records

One of my recent obsessions have been the bands that stemmed from this independent record label based in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The whole idea behind Flying Nun Records was to get the New Zealand scene music out there. Profit was far from being the most important thing, and that caused some problems down the road.

What I find terrific is that despite adopting this attitude, it still managed to survive and prosper, in a way, while supporting some of the most original acts in New Zealand and quite frankly the ones I love.
I'm sure you wished I could delight you a bit more on this subject, but there is a documentary on Youtube that will explain the whole thing much better than I possibly can. Here is the first part:

There are many bands from this record label I've been ranting on about, as Lateralus so charmingly put it. Amongst them are The Verlaines.

The band that nicked their name from Paul Verlaine (as one would notice upon listening Death And The Maiden) formed in 1981 in Dunedin, New Zealand.

A general description of their sound would be mellow, watery, if that makes any sense, and rather strikingly emotional; melancholy, at times.

Graeme Downes, the songwriter and vocalist/guitarist has described The Verlaines' songs as attempts to insert classical structures into pop songs, I believe. I have next to zero knowledge on musical theory but I feel this is rather accurate, as you can definitely hear it in the peculiar song structures and orchestral arrangements.

Regarding Downes' voice: it might not be amazing, but I find there's something moving about it. He seems passionate about his music and I find it impressive.

Having said that, I've seen some people say they saw The Verlaines live and that they gave all they had in every performance, which were rather powerful.
I've seen some snippets here and there, and I agree. Here are some live performances of Baud To Tears and The Ballad Of Harry Noryb that I enjoy:

I might review their first album Hallelujah All the Way Home later.

VEGANGELICA · 07-26-2010, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unchained Ballad

One of my recent obsessions have been the bands that stemmed from this independent record label based in Christchurch, New Zealand. There are many bands from this record label I've been ranting on about, as Lateralus so charmingly put it. Amongst them are The Verlaines.

A general description of their sound would be mellow, watery, if that makes any sense, and rather strikingly emotional; melancholy, at times.

Graeme Downes, the songwriter and vocalist/guitarist has described The Verlaines' songs as attempts to insert classical structures into pop songs, I believe. I have next to zero knowledge on musical theory but I feel this is rather accurate, as you can definitely hear it in the peculiar song structures and orchestral arrangements.

UB, since I know nothing about the New Zealand music scene, the documentary about Flying Nun Records was very informative. I also liked reading your impressions of The Verlaines.

I don't think I would have thought of their music as having a classical structure or orchestral arrangement, if you hadn't mentioned it, but I did hear their songs sometimes switch quickly from major to minor keys (I think!). That made their music sound unique to me plus gave it a bit of the melancholy feel you mention.

Seltzer · 07-27-2010, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unchained Ballad

I've heard some of the first tracks on A Cuppa Tea And A Lie Down, and I must say I'm impressed.

The Able Tasmans are definitely one of my Flying Nun picks. They're a bit more subdued and low key than some of the others since they favour acoustic guitar and organ over jagged electric guitar, but just as good. I think their next album is even better.

07-09-2010, 04:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
The Fascinating Turnip Moper Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 510	Surreptitiously, However... It’s the arts, ladies and gentlemen! I thought it would be convenient to have a place to (in a way) organize my thoughts and share them with other members, and I think a journal would be just the thing. That said, this will include musical and non musical ramblings: I might post some youtube videos and comment on them, or I might review some albums I like. I hope I dont' forget to keep this updated, and that I'll entertain you all.

07-10-2010, 03:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
NumberNineDream Blue Bleezin' Blind Drunk Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The land of the largest wine glass (aka Lebanon) Posts: 2,200	Or "He was either mad or both". __________________ Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Welcome to the Black Lodge

07-10-2010, 06:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
Astronomer we are stardust Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 2,894	Looking forward to possibly seeing some of your favourite kiwi bands that you've been ranting on about in here __________________

07-10-2010, 07:24 AM	#6 (permalink)
Mojo Melancholia Eternally Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: England Posts: 5,018	It's about time! Looking forward to this one alot. __________________ Last.FM \| Echoes and Dust

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07-10-2010, 01:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
~~Sansa Stark~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Eyrie, Vale of Arryn, Westeros Posts: 3,234	excited. Still think you should have called it a packet of arse bandits :/

07-10-2010, 10:37 AM	#7 (permalink)
~~James~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 4,483	I already said I'm excited in the shoutbox but I'll say it again. I'm excited.

07-10-2010, 09:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
The Fascinating Turnip Moper Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 510	^ You lovely people. Flying Nun Records One of my recent obsessions have been the bands that stemmed from this independent record label based in Christchurch, New Zealand. The whole idea behind Flying Nun Records was to get the New Zealand scene music out there. Profit was far from being the most important thing, and that caused some problems down the road. What I find terrific is that despite adopting this attitude, it still managed to survive and prosper, in a way, while supporting some of the most original acts in New Zealand and quite frankly the ones I love. I'm sure you wished I could delight you a bit more on this subject, but there is a documentary on Youtube that will explain the whole thing much better than I possibly can. Here is the first part: There are many bands from this record label I've been ranting on about, as Lateralus so charmingly put it. Amongst them are The Verlaines. The band that nicked their name from Paul Verlaine (as one would notice upon listening Death And The Maiden) formed in 1981 in Dunedin, New Zealand. A general description of their sound would be mellow, watery, if that makes any sense, and rather strikingly emotional; melancholy, at times. Graeme Downes, the songwriter and vocalist/guitarist has described The Verlaines' songs as attempts to insert classical structures into pop songs, I believe. I have next to zero knowledge on musical theory but I feel this is rather accurate, as you can definitely hear it in the peculiar song structures and orchestral arrangements. Regarding Downes' voice: it might not be amazing, but I find there's something moving about it. He seems passionate about his music and I find it impressive. Having said that, I've seen some people say they saw The Verlaines live and that they gave all they had in every performance, which were rather powerful. I've seen some snippets here and there, and I agree. Here are some live performances of Baud To Tears and The Ballad Of Harry Noryb that I enjoy: I might review their first album Hallelujah All the Way Home later.