Fast-forward 40-odd years, and the “Dunedin Sound” is as strong as ever. While there has been a shift away from the grungy ethos of their forefathers, Dunedin’s premier musicians still have a certain je ne sais quoi that makes them stand out from the rest of New Zealand and the world’s musical talent. It has been far too long since a list of Dunedin Sound purveyors has been published. Critic is proud to present our round-up of the top Dunedin artists of 2012.
Opposite Sex
Members: Lucy Hunter (Bass & Vocals), Fergus Taylor (Guitar), Tim Player (Drums & Vocals).Years active: Two years.
Key releases: Self-titled debut LP released on Fishrider Records.
Achievements: Having Marc Riley play us on BBC6. Having Stephen Pastel write us fan mail.
Self-description: “Noisy, pop-length songs… An unapologetic band.”
On the horizon: Playing at venues all over the country in July, finishing new album.
Favourite albums of 2012 thus far? The Doyleys, Shifting Sounds, Toy Love Live At The Gluepot.
Three things you absolutely couldn't live without? Oxygen, water, food.
Who would win in a fight between Samuel L. Jackson and Optimus Prime? I'm not sure. Maybe it'd be a stalemate…
Lightning Bells
Members: Christy (Vocals & Keys), Emily (Vocals, Cello & Keys), Nick (Guitar), Phil (Bass & Guitar), Luke (Trumpet) and Sarah (Drums).Years active: One year.
Key releases: Self-titled debut EP released on Kingsford Road Records.
Achievements: Getting the video for our first single "Pockets Full Of Gold" played on C4, sttarting our own record label, and getting our first official noise control warning.
Self-description: "Gravel pop."
On the horizon: Gigs in Auckland, recording new material…
Favourite albums of 2012 so far? Bruce Springsteen – Wrecking Ball, Leonard Cohen – Old Ideas, Jack White – Blunderbuss.
Three things you absolutely couldn't live without? Our mates that never fail to turn up to our gigs, the sound proofing in the basement where we practice, and the old family piano.
Would you rather get in a fistfight with Neil Young, or a rap battle with John Lennon? Definitely a rap battle with John Lennon.
Black Boy Peaches
Members: Tom Mepham (Drums & Backing Vocals), Hamish Mepham (Vocals & Guitar).Years active: Three years.
Key releases: Slasher EP (2009), Company Feel Good LP (2010), new single “Apocalypse Sun” released this month.
Achievements: Headlining the Regent Theatre and playing to a crowd of over 600… Touring around NZ.
Self-description: "Foo Fighters meet Muse meet The Killers. Cranked guitars, big drums, big synths…Catchy anthemic rock songs."
On the horizon: Touring later in the year, recording new material, organizing nationwide tour for December.
Favourite albums of 2012 so far? Ed Sheeran – +, Foster The People – Torches, Foo Fighters –Wasting Light. (Editor's note: none of these albums were released in 2012…)
Three things you absolutely couldn't live without? Hamish: My wife, my fender telecaster, hope.
If you could make a phone call to your 10-year-old self, what would you tell them and why?Tom: When you're about to stop music practice, just go for 5 minutes longer.
Swaren "Dhalsim" Veygal
Members: Swaren Veygal is a one-man musical force...Years active: Six years.
Key Releases: The Amalgamation EP (2012).
Achievements: OUSA 'Future DJ' winner in 2010. Shapeshifter National Remix Competition winner in 2011. Opening for a plethora of international superstars.
Self-description: "Somewhere between Breaks, Electro, Glitch, Garage and Hip Hop."
On the horizon: Releasing of a collection of Six60 remixes, recording second EP, summer.
Favourite albums of 2012 so far? Jessie Ware – Running EP, KOAN Sound – Funk Blaster EP.
3 things you absolutely couldn't live without? Music collection, Tim Tams, Nutella.
Would you do crack with Nicholas Cage? Obviously if he was buying...
Ink Mathematics
Members: Benjamin Cochrane (Saxophone), Matthew Collins (Bass), Dan Hoffman (Guitar), Matthew Hoffman (Vocals), Paul McMillan (Drums & Vocals).Years active: Three years.
Key releases: Boredom, You Conqueror EP (2011).
Achievements: Playing at Feastock, and Circle Jerk. Touring with Cult Disney.
Self-description: "A frightening collage of The Melvins, the cleansing self-hatred of Tom Waits, and Nick Cave. Basically, Beer Rock."
On the horizon: Currently working on new EP.
Favourite albums of 2012 so far? Alizarin Lizard – The Weekend Went Without You, Left Or Right – Buzzy, Osmium – The Misery Harvest.
Three things you absolutely couldn't live without? Warm socks, Modaks chippies, Facebook likes, 27 bucks (Editor's note: we realize this is 4 items but we made an exception as having '27 bucks' is a basic human necessity…).
Who’s your favourite Avenger? Definitely Ant-Man… He’s a great team player, can carry eight times his weight. And he shrinks down to the size of an ant. Useful stuff unless your foe is a colony of ants.
Left or Right
Members: Seedy Marshall (Bass & Vocals), Callum Hampton (Guitar, Trumpet & Vocals), Metua Marama (Drums, Percussion & Vocals).Years active: Six years.
Key releases: Nuggety (2009), Buzzy (2012).
Achievements: 10 National Tours, releasing two albums on Vinyl.
Self-description: "A buzzy mash-up of genres resulting in a musical journey and mind fuck."
On the horizon: Currently on Buzzy NZ Album release tour. Dunedin release party at Sammy's on the 2nd of June… then touring Australia later this year.
Favourite albums of 2012 so far? Alizarin Lizard – The Weekend Went Without You. Osmium – The Misery Harvest.
Three things you absolutely couldn't live without? Beer, Maccas, Shortys.
Would you rather travel to the moon, or have an all-expenses-paid trip to the Bahamas? All expenses paid trip to the Bahamas… as long as Jaws is long extinct.
Simple Thieves
Members: Ross Stewart (Lead Vocals & Guitar), Shaun Coombe (Bass & Vocals), Connor Williams (Lead Guitar & Vocals), Dave Carter (Drums).Years active: Two years.
Key Releases: Half a Step Up EP (2012).
Achievements: Getting on TV3 for playing at Hyde St, finishing EP.
Self-description: "A blend of jazz, hard rock, alternative and folk… Modern Rock n’ Roll."
On the horizon:Recording new material, playing at ReFuel on June 13th…
Favorite albums of 2012 so far? Jack White – Blunderbuss, Foxy Shazam – The Church of Rock and Roll, The Shins – Port of Morrow.
Three things you absolutely couldn't live without? Peace, love, mung beans.
Who would you rather strangle to death: a terminally-ill baby, or an extremely healthy 80-year-old? Is both an option?
Alizarin Lizard
Members: Paul Cathro (Guitar & Vocals), Chris Bugs Miller (Bass), Ben Sergeant (Drums), The H Bomb (Keys).Years active: Three years.
Key releases: The Weekend Went Without You LP (2012), Oh, Colour EP (2011).
Achievements: Completing two massive tours of NZ, getting funding from NZ on Air, having an onstage 3-way jam with An Emerald City and The Checks.
Self-description: "Like a Monkey being baptised in a lake of banana, cookies and cream real fruit ice cream…”
On the horizon: Playing at Left or Right's Buzzy album release show at Sammy's on 2nd of June. Writing and recording new material in the next few months.
Favourite albums of 2012 so far? Tono and the Finance Company – Up Here For Dancing, Beach Pigs – Beach Pigs, Left or Right – Buzzy
Three things you absolutely couldn't live without? Midgets, rap music and meth.
Would you rather have dinner with Joseph Kony or Barack Obama? Obama, 'cos he knows Jay-Z, who knows Beyonce, who knows Austin Powers, who knows Garth from Wayne's World.
Cult Disney
Members: Olivia "O!Lala" Canny (Vocals & Synth), Kaine "Dadrock" Harington (Drums), Jamie "Nirgali" Macdonald (Bass).Years active: Three years.
Key releases: Post-Industrial Dance Music of the Late 1980s debut EP.
Achievements: Playing two Feastocks, recording and releasing our EP, writing and recording with Dr. Glam, recording with The Verlaines, touring.
Self-description: "Violent grooves with soaring vocals."
On the horizon: Intensive writing for new album.
Favourite albums of 2012 so far? Maps & Atlases – Beware and Be Grateful, Tono and the Finance Company – Up Here For Dancing, Death Grips – The Money Store.
Three things you absolutely couldn't live without? Antibiotics, Mums, and Dads.
Who would win in a fight between Samuel L. Jackson and Jesus? It’s hard to fight your imagination (Editor's note: we take this to mean that Mr. Jackson would reign supreme).
– By Lukas Clark-Memler
