Pitch Black 'Rude Mechanicals' Australian Tour
27.08.07
They're back. After a 3 year hiatus, New Zealand's finest Pitch Black are set to return to Australia with their fourth album in tow - the atmospheric masterpiece Rude Mechanicals is to be released in Australia on September 3rd through Vitamin Records.
Champions of the Kiwi electronic music scene since they first spun their magic at the annual Gathering New Year's eve festival in 1997, Pitch Black have etched out an indelible place in music fans' hearts worldwide. From playing massive festivals the Big Day Out, Earthcore and the UK's legendary Big Chill (UK) on two occasions, to supporting the likes of Underworld, Kraftwerk and Coldcut, the pairing of Paddy Free and Michael Hodgson have an uncanny ability to take it to the next level time and time again.
On the back of 2004's stunning album Ape to Angel, which earned an impressive five stars and 'Album of the Month' accolade in respected UK dance bible DJ Magazine, comes the tantalising Rude Mechanicals. A cross-genre delight, Pitch Black's palette consists of everything from cruisy dub-infused beats, moody progressive atmospherics and silky smooth d'n'b, all capped off by expertly crafted vocal contributions from KP, Brother J and Tracy Z.
In the ecologically-themed title track KP, of Sunshine Sound System fame drops spacious rhymes over the soothing dub-laced beats, whilst Paddy's former bandmate from mid-90s electronica band Mesh, Brother J, contributes a typically enigmatic vocal on rootsy 4/4 stomper '1000 Mile Drift'. In 'Please Leave Quietly' Auckland-based jazz vocalist Tracy Z's ethereal vocals float through the skittery beats and lush ambience, whilst the superbly titled 'Sonic Colonic', does everything it promises, laying down pulsating percussion and searing sonics.
Live, Pitch Black shouldn't be missed. Delivering the full-sensory experience has always been central to the pair's world-class performances, with Paddy & Mike mixing up cutting-edge visuals with their patented blistering beats - something that has to be seen to be believed. No surprise then that they've been dubbed the "Hexstatic of New Zealand".
Set to embark on an incredible 7th world tour, taking in everywhere from England, Austria, Spain, Croatia, before hitting Australia this September for the sixth time, Pitch Black are set to remind us all why they truly are one of the world's best.
Australian Tour Dates:
19 September
The Zoo Brisbane, Queensland (with Tjupurru, Silent Shadow & DJ Shard)
21 Sept
Great Northern Hotel Byron Bay, New South Wales (with Tjupurru + DJ's Mista Misha, Pob and Tayo)
22 Sept
Factory Theatre Sydney, New South Wales (with The Nomad [NZ], the Versionaries and DJ Phantom Power)
28 Sept
The Corner Hotel Melbourne, Victoria (with The Nomad [NZ] Miso + DJs ShiKung and AlleyKat
