McGrath will play a solo acoustic set of songs featured on The Eastern’s brand new album ‘Hope and Wire’. Having previously toured with Earle and bands such as Old Crow Medicine Show, Lil’ Band of Gold and having opened for Fleetwood Mac, The Jayhawks and Justin Townes Earle, McGrath’s set of The Eastern’s songs will be a great treat for Steve Earle fans.

Strictly limited tickets still available for both shows from www.eventfinder.co.nz. Get in quick!

Local Electronic producer and DJ Scratch 22 has been announced as the support act for Mayer Hawthorne’s upcoming New Zealand tour dates.  Scratch 22 will support the Detroit crooner at both his Wellington show at San Francisco Bathhouse on February 22^nd and his Auckland show at The Powerstation on February 23^rd.

2011 saw the release of Scratch 22’s critically praised album Distance From View and saw him head over to Paris to represent New Zealand after winning the 2010 NZ Red Bull Fre3style competition. As well as releasing his own music Scratch 22 (aka Rodi kirk) has put his unique spin on other musicians’ music, remixing tracks for the likes of Homebrew, Electric Wire Hustle and Annabel Fay.

40 Days Touring are pleased to announce the return of STEVE EARLE for two solo and acoustic New Zealand shows on Wednesday 11^th April at the Kings Arms, Auckland and Thursday 12^th April at Bodega, Wellington.  Having last graced our shores and stages a few years ago, Texan raised Earle is coming back to charm his audience again with musical tales tall and true, drawn from his life, times and song-writing partnerships.

Described by Rolling Stone as ‘the shaggy outlaw’, Earle is one of life’s great hardcore troubadours and a man whose creative artistry extends into many arenas.  Singer-songwriter; actor; author; political activist; producer – indeed, there are many Steve Earle’s.

There’s the singer, whose raw brand of country rock saw him become a touchstone of roots music in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.  There’s the author whose debut novel was published last year.  There’s the songwriter who came within a whisker of writing for Elvis before the King up and died.  And of course there is the actor, whose work on The Wire and Treme has made his face as recognised as his music.

And this April the body of the man containing all of those ‘Earles’ journeys to New Zealand to play an intimate set comprising songs from throughout his acclaimed and illustrious career.  A protégé of legendary songwriters Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, Steve Earle quickly became a master storyteller in his own right, with his songs being recorded by artists including Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, Travis Tritt, The Pretenders, Joan Baez and countless others.

1986 saw the release of his debut record Guitar Town, which shot to number one on the country charts and immediately established the term “New Country”.  What followed was an extremely exciting and varied array of releases including the biting hard rock of Copperhead Road (1988); the minimalist beauty of Train A Comin’ (1995); the politically charged masterpiece Jerusalem (2002); and the three Grammy Award Winning albums The Revolution Starts…Now (2004); Washington Square Serenade (2007); and Townes (2009).

Currently touring his 14^th studio album named I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive (also the title of his debut novel) Earle and his latest release has been recently honoured by the Recording Academy, receiving a Grammy Nomination in the Best Folk Album Category for next months awards.  Produced by T Bone Burnett and a follow up to the award winning Townes, Earle has this to say of the collection of songs: “They are all, as far as I can tell, about mortality in one way or the other; death as a mystery rather than a punctuation mark or at least a comma rather than a period.”

Do not miss out on seeing a career-spanning set which showcases not only his latest Grammy Nominated album but the range and artistry of Steve Earle – a true American original!

STEVE EARLE – SOLO & ACOUSTIC SHOWS

 Wed 11^th April – Kings Arms

 Thu 12^th April –   Bodega

TICKETS ON SALE 9AM THURSDAY 26^th JANUARY

From  www.eventfinder.co.nz  & Real Groovy

Detroit crooner Mayer Hawthorne returns to New Zealand this February to play Auckland and Wellington in celebration of his new album How Do You Do?

No stranger to New Zealand shores after headling Splore in 2011, Mayer is back to spread the sunshine vibes of LA whilst maintaining the spirit of his hometown Detroit – arguably the birthplace of modern soul music.

Mayer’s debut LP A Strange Arrangement lit a fire across the world with its faithful interpretation of classic genres including soul, blues, country, doo-wop and rock n’ roll. Earlier in 2011, he released a free EP of covers including works originally by Chromeo (who have also remixed current single ‘A Long Time’), Isley Brothers, ELO and more.

Recently performing his new single ‘The Walk’ live on Late Night ‘s Conan and Letterman shows, Mayer Hawthorne is confirming what the underground has known for years – this singer/producer can channel the best of soul, funk, disco and yacht rock into an inimitable 2012 blend. How Do You Do? is a far greater amalgamation of his influences (like Brian Wilson, Michael Macdonald and Marvin Gaye) than his debut and is responsible for spawning the incredibly popular heart shaped vinyl single ‘Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out’.

Performing with his live band, Mayer Hawthorne will once again take centre stage for a soulful performance that has already swept New Zealand audiences off their feet once.

“His band was amazingly tight and Hawthorne’s vocals were almost richer and more impressive than on record. He is an impressive showman, chatting away to the audience throughout the set.” – stuff.co.nz

“Mayer Hawthorne and the County’s sound is the future of soul music” – The New Zealand Herald

Don’t miss your chance to see him live at the following venues:

Mayer Hawthorne
+ DJ Marek
22nd February – SFBH – Wellington
Tickets: www.1night.co.nz & all 1night outlets – on sale 9am Friday 2nd December

Mayer Hawthorne + special guests
23rd February – The Powerstation
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.co.nz – on sale 9am Friday 2nd December

Tiki Taane joins the More FM Summer Vineyard Tour

Early Bird Tickets SOLD OUT!

Full Price General Admission tickets ON SALE NOW!

In an exciting addition to an already stellar line-up, The More FM Summer Vineyard Tour is pleased to announce Musical Maestro Tiki Taane will join Aloe Blacc, John Butler Trio and Annabel Fay across the whole tour for an acoustic set, while local DJ favourites the Sweet Mix Kids will also be entertaining between acts.

Unsurprisingly, the allocation of discounted Early Bird tickets has now completely sold out! Full Price General Admission tickets are now available and on sale for $79 + booking fee. Get yours fast – there’s no doubt that this will be THE tour of the summer!

Tiki Taane is a multi-platinum award winning artist and considered a pioneer in the New Zealand music scene with a career spanning nearly 15 years. Earlier this year, he took out three Tuis at the New Zealand Music Awards including Best Male Solo Artist, Best Electronica and Best Maori album, as well as re-releasing his #1 Album In The World Of Light which features three bonus tracks, including the epic RWC remix of ‘My Lion’.

His debut LP Past Present Future achieved double platinum sales and picked up a swag of awards, and also features the beautiful acoustic love ballad and number 1 single ‘Always On My Mind’.

“I’m super stoked to be part of the More FM Summer Vineyard Tour,” says Tiki. “Last time I saw Aloe Blacc was at Glastonbury and he blew my mind, so I’ve gotta bring it big time! With just you, me and my acoustic guitar, we can get this party started.”

Also joining the line-up is resident More FM party DJs, Sweet Mix Kids. Masters of the mix with a reputation as New Zealand’s most flamboyant DJs, the dynamic duo will join the tour to ensure there’s never a dull moment and will entertain vineyard audiences between acts.

JOHN BUTLER TRIO
Powerstation, Auckland – 6th May / Frontroom, Wellington – 7th May – Tickets to both shows have nearly sold out. Get your tickets at Ticketmaster.

40 Days Touring, Niche Productions, Groove Guide and Mai FM present…
OUKAST’S BIG BOI LIVE IN NZ
WITH FULL LIVE BAND.
LOGAN CAMPBELL CENTRE, ASB SHOWGROUNDS
THURSDAY 25th of AUGUST 2011.

On August 25th New Zealand audiences will finally bear witness to Big Boi, one half of Outkast and universally counted as amongst the most creative and admired voices in hip hop. Big Boi has known immense commercial success, with Outkast selling over 25,000,000 albums – behind only Jay-Z, Tupac and Eminem on the all time list for hip hop artists – but he has never once deviated from the hazy, funk-and-jazz informed vision that he and partner Andre 3000 conceived 20 years ago in the United States’ deep South.