Graeme Downes will be talking words and singing tracks from The Verlaines upcoming new album "Untimely Meditations" in Wellington and Auckland this week.

A senior lecturer at the University of Otago, Graeme will be talking about a songwriter's occupation - what the word occupation means or entails when it comes to writing songs, James K. Baxter, Friedrich Nietzsche, MTV, Fox News, National Identity, sovereignty . . . and anything else that comes up.

What to expect from "Untimely Meditations"? Like most Verlaine’s albums there are no two songs alike. But there is a theme of expressing what it is to be born into this time and place. It is outspoken and confrontational.

Graeme Downes - "Untimely Meditations", A Songwriters Occupation.

Wednesday 22nd February 6.00 pm - Free
Chancellor 1, 16th Floor, James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor, 147 The Terrace Wellington

Thursday 23rd February 6.00 pm - Free
The Loft, Q Theatre, 305 Queen Street Auckland