Amplifier

13.11.09

The big music news from us today is the long awaited release  release of Shapeshifter's latest long player The System Is A Vampire, CDs are being dispatched to those who pre-ordered them and the MP3 files are now available to purchase.

We're two free downloads for you to enjoy this week:

Karen Hunter - Long Hot Summer Night

Guitarist/Songwriter Karen Hunter's latest outing, Words & Groove, blends jazz, dirty blues and performance poetry. Embellishing on themes of local significance, Hunter entwines personal experience with liberally exaggerated stories that bridge the dangerous (drug addiction, social welfare dependency, the NZ road toll) and the mundane (infatuation, familiarity and separation).

Building on Hunter's Tom Waits inspired 2007 release Rubble, there are both personal and local stories embedded in this body of work. Poems emerge within the songs, often appearing over extended bass and drum vamps, hence the title Words & Groove.

The album also features a funky powerhouse version of the 1968 Jimi Hendrix classic Long Hot Summer Night, which showcases Hunter's arranging skills over a three part horn section led by Roger Manins on Tenor saxophone.

The launch party will be held at Auckland's Wine Cellar in St Kevin's arcade, Karangahape Rd on Thursday November 26th, the eve of what would have been Hendrix's 67th birthday.

To celebrate the album and it's launch karen is giving away Long Hot Summer Night, for a week from November 12th.

Knights of the DUB Table - Sing It To Me Remix EP

Since their inception in 2008, Knights of the DUB Table's high-energy performances have left the crowds wanting more. Now bringing us their phenomenal debut 5-track Remix EP, we get a taste of exactly what great things are to come from this Hamilton six-piece.

Choosing their first ever tune Sing It To Me as the subject, the Knights wow us with a collection of remixes by some of NZ's topnotch producers. Featuring a debut remix by their very own Mr Samy'samson, they have also pulled in music legend Tiki Taane, dubstep maestro Optimus Gryme and Aus-based outfit The Versionaries.

Combine all this beauty with the mad skills of mastering magician Evan Short and what we have here is one amazing shiny, fat EP.

Epic upon epic, this little package is without a doubt one of the must-have items for this summer and thanks to the band you can download your copy for free from Amplifier.

Release Of The Day
The Lookie Loos - The Lookie Loos

The Lookie Loos recorded their self-titled album at York Street Studios in Auckland with Clint Murphy, which was then mastered by Sterling Sound in New York.

The debut album features a broad spectrum of rock music, from the melancholy Heavens and A Change Will Come to the driving and jiving Will I Be Lonely.

Weekend Gigs 

Here are our picks for live music as found on the Makuna gig guide this weekend.

For a full breakdown on whats on offer around the country have a look at Makuna

Enjoy your stay.
Ed