In 1999, Pet Rocks had an album ready to release called PR Nightmare. The title is even more appropriate now, given that it’s now being released twenty years later on that supposedly-dying media, the Compact Disc. But is the era of the humble CD really over?
"We used to make steel, but now we make music."
Across the span of one year, within two seperate meetings, Violet Hirst sat down with Tāmaki Makaurau (and now Ōtautahi)-based band Ringlets, who yesterday released their debut self-titled album on US label Mutual Skies.
One of Aotearoa's favourite indie festivals, Welcome To Nowhere, is coming up soon on the first weekend of February. The sun still has a lot of shining to do this summer, and with a stacked lineup (including Ty Segall, Vera Ellen, Recitals, Sulfate, deepState, Polyhill + more) there are so many reasons to take a weekend trip to the lush landscape of the Manawatū to be a part of the festivities. But, in case you need a little more convincing, we caught up with the festival's co-curator and member of Eyegum Music Collective, Ben Jones.
"He had strong anti-establishment sentiments and non-status quo views, sentiments and views that were usually spot on. I will fondly remember him as a kind of New Zealand beatnik, a confident and colourful personality whose life revolved around music and art."