December 2011
2 posts
A Christmas carol
It has been a tumultuous year for Great North. In a shocking act of monogamy, three of our members got married - two to each other. It was also the year our drummer Olly left for Hawaii about five times. The last time he left was in October. We don’t know when he’ll be back. We also recorded the skeleton of an album that we hope to release and tour sometime in the first third of...
November 2011
1 post
“Well, things are starting to heat up down on E Street.
A lot of you have been...”
October 2011
1 post
September 2011
1 post
A revealing email
… 3 Iraqis Terrorist’s TARGET was “King Hussein Of Jordan”. At the time, for every ASIO officer there were five MI5 present. Whitlam got caught with his pants down
Since then, The White Australia Policy,The Buy Back Australia and Australia becoming a Republic were put in FULL REVERSE. In Parliament, … were blaming the Russian for their misfortune… A Court...
August 2011
6 posts
“The world encourages you to lock into a particular routine. I fucking hate when...”
– Will Sheff from Okkervil River is passionate about dying with a respectable music collection.
Difficult second album
Just tentatively booked some recording times.
July 2011
1 post
June 2011
9 posts
Springsteen's eulogy for Clarence Clemons →
Evidence Mayor Len Brown is becoming addicted to...
Tweets in reverse chronological order (emphasis mine):
mayorlenbrown Len Brown Just back from the beehive, not in Wellington though, this time it was the National Beekeepers Conference, on today in AKL. mayorlenbrown Len Brown Back in Auckland. Just been down having a good look around the Wynyard Quarter waterfront. It’s looking great down there, really buzzing. mayorlenbrown...
Great North update #118
If it seems we’re a little subdued at the moment, it’s because our drummer is in Hawaii making conveyer belts and our guitarist is having a some kind of excitement-induced nervous breakdown over his upcoming nuptials. I’m sure I’m meant to be doing something to help out, but I have no idea what groomsmen do. I already wrapped him in Gladwrap and rolled him down a sand dune....
Grieving from Asbury Park →
Politics!
Just saw this quote attributed to Don Brash:
“Radio New Zealand plays an important role in the overall radio scene. I don’t always agree with the editorial line … but that is not the point,” he said.
“Programmes such as Checkpoint, Morning Report and international coverage give a dimension commercial radio does not. It may be the lack of commercial interruption,...
This show we are doing tonight features some very good bands. Tono writes economically literate and often touching music about women and politics - sometimes both at once. Steph Dickinson is not often heard. She usually only plays in the room downstairs at my flat. But her music contains beautiful reflections on love and Kaitaia. It is at the Wine Cellar on K-Rd starting around 8:30pm. $5.
This...
Just got this through from police...
Auckland City Police are very keen to locate a missing 14 year old boy who has been missing… He is described as: 15 years old
May 2011
15 posts
Actually, this is worth posting in full.
Liking Is for Cowards. Go for What Hurts.
By JONATHAN FRANZEN
A COUPLE of weeks ago, I replaced my three-year-old BlackBerry Pearl with a much more powerful BlackBerry Bold. Needless to say, I was impressed with how far the technology had advanced in three years. Even when I didn’t have anybody to call or text or e-mail, I wanted to keep fondling my new Bold and experiencing the marvelous...
This is worth reading till the end. →
Chinese prisoners forced to play World of... →
“With an old, bullet-ridden Jeep his only means of escape, MacGyver must patch up...”
– http://macgyver.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_problems_solved_by_MacGyver
The Chalk Archives
xiongmaobearcat:
Musical wizard and all around good guy Jonathan from Artisan Guns has been keeping an awesome blog called The Chalk Archives. He’s been taking a 1/4 inch reel to reel tape recorder to shows and documenting songs, and then writing some thoughtful words and recollections on the night and related topics. He’s got a slew of recordings he’s yet to post, so sounds like there’ll be...
NZ On Air changes
Just reading through the press release on changes to NZ On Air funding. Replacing the grant system with funding for 200 songs and 200 music videos - and everyone only getting up to three grants a year - should see money spread a lot further. It’s still to be seen whether non-commercial radio friendly bands will get grants though. On that, these seem like key sentences:
• Before applying...
Dudley Benson on the Taite Music Prize. Well... →
I Dream A Highway
Oh I dream a highway back to you, love A winding ribbon with a band of gold A silver vision come and rest my soul I dream a highway back to you John he’s kicking out the footlights The Grand Ole Opry’s got a brand new band Lord let me die with a hammer in my hand I dream a highway back you I think I’ll move down into Memphis And thank the hatchet man who forked my tongue I lie in...
This album speaks louder after what happened... →
April 2011
4 posts
Stuck Between Stations
(by The Hold Steady)
There are nights when I think Sal Paradise was right. Boys and Girls in America have such a sad time together. Sucking off each other at the demonstrations Making sure their makeup’s straight Crushing one another with colossal expectations. Dependent, undisciplined, and sleeping late. She was a really cool kisser and she wasn’t all that strict of a Christian. She...
“…and then Strahan Cole; he’s from the band Great North. He plays electric guitar...”
– Dave Baxter (Avalanche City)
http://www.libel.co.nz/blog_posts/2539-interview_with_avalanche_city
(via tinycaster)
March 2011
10 posts
Read the comment from Jim #51 →
4 tags
Inspiring writing by Phoenix Suns SF Grant Hill →
I agree, Mr Moses →
Anonymous asked: Are you guys planning on coming to the uk anytime soon
WatchRachel is a secret bowling champ.
We are the Mighty Ducks
If I’m honest, there doesn’t seem to be much chance of us winning this competition. But it would be pretty amazing if we did. So if any part of you do wants to hear intimate country crooning and quasi-religious lyrics in your backyard, please vote. Not doing so would be like voting for any team that played the Mighty Ducks in the first movie, or the Scandinavian bobsled team that beat...