Ash & The Matadors: April 2011

Thursday 28 April 2011

"The Mansion Tapes" EP & Reviews

"The Mansion Tapes" is a 6 track EP released early June to critical acclaim. The six songs on the EP are:
The Ballad of Cobh
Days When we were Kings
Somebody's Living
Amsterdamn
Jesus Child
Goodbye

To date, it has sold around 400 copies. "The Mansion Tapes", also reached the number 1 sold album at Play it Again, Invercargill, during June and July of 2010. The EP can be purchased on iTunes, at Marbecks and Strictly Coffee Stores in Dunedin or by contacting the band at ashandthematadors@hotmail.com.

Review and write up by Chris Chilton, The Southland Times
Link to article

Review from elsewhere.com by Graham Reid
Link to full review

This six-track EP by a Dunedin four-piece fronted by singer-songwriter, guitarist and keyboard player Ash Officer came out in June but has only just landed in Elsewhere -- which means some of the reviews have been done of it down south. Although none that I recall in northern climes.

Ash/Matadors have a keen supporter in Southland Times writer Chris Chilton who also had an astute observation about them which can't be improved on: "They're confident and assured, strong on tunes and texture in an old-school 70's stonewashed style."

True, they have a slightly country-rock and ragged style (Officer could be a contestant at a Gore country music festival with his dark brown twang) and lead guitarist Jared Smith brings some sharp and pointed playing (yes, early Seventies rock) to their sound.

Sounds like he had a good time in Amsterdam too, that place with the psychedelic toilets and interesting coffee shops!

My guess is Ash/Matadors would be as well received in bars and clubs in South of the US as they are on home-turf.

Recorded in what we might guess to be the handsome home on the cover, this has an earthy and live feel -- which means those other comments by locals about them being great on the night seem perfectly valid.

An EP as calling card, even better will doubtless follow.

This blog is managed and maintained by Verity Kerr

Catlins River Festival

The first ever Catlins River Festival was a huge success. Nearly 1000 music lovers met together in the beautiful surroundings of the Catlins, (Owaka) to celebrate Easter Weekend 2011. It was three days of sweet sounds, food, good vibes and camping.

Ash & The Matadors played on the first afternoon, along with many other awesome acts. One of the crowds favourites had to be Wellington band Nudge, who blew everyone away with their psychedelic swampy blues sound. Although on the second night, there was a hiccup with the generator, the crowd was not put off because the smooth running sound people/crew moved everything in to the food tent. Everyone kept on keeping on.

We would like to extend our biggest gratitude to Glen 'Jock' Davidson for having the dream and turning it into a reality. Of course he would not have done this alone, so we would also like to thank Jesse, the crew and all the volunteers that kept everyone safe, fed and happy. This event could also not have happened without our good friend Ian 'Dreich' Sweetman, who, with his new HUGE PA system was able to make every band sound incredible. Another big thank you to Deano Shirriffs who was a pleasure to work with and kept everything on stage running smoothly. Thanks, Quogan Hampton for his excellent job on the lights.

This day was amazing for all who participated. Thanks so much again. Below are a few photos from our set:

This blog is managed and maintained by Verity Kerr

FEASTOCK

It was super exciting to be asked to play Feastock 2011. An annual Dunedin Music festival, organised by a wonderful group of people, dedicated to making music from the lower South Island heard.

On the 16th of April 2011, approximately 300+ dedicated musicians and music fans flocked to 3 Fea St to share in the epicness which is, "FEASTOCK". Ash & The Matadors were lucky enough to play alongside amazing local acts:

We would like to say a HUGE thank you to the residents of 3 Fea St, Left or Right, Quogan Hampton, Ian Sweetman, Peter Crisp, Refuel & all the crew that made the day a raging success.

We feel privileged to have been a part of it.

You can see some of the wicked photos from the event at the following talented photographers sites:

Rokpx - Feastock tab to the left

John Needham - Feastock Tab to right

This blog is managed and maintained by Verity Kerr

Tuesday 26 April 2011

Live Sound

Here are a couple of our live videos. The first one was when we opened for The Jordan Luck Band (you know, that guy that used to be in The Exponents) and the second, is from a friend's 21st. These are both with our first drummer Simon Barr.

88 Fires Again
Performed at The Cook, Dunedin.
Video by: Verity Kerr

The Golden Age

Performed at 12 Below.

Video by: Verity Kerr

The Band

Imagine a young Neil Young drinking pints with Primal Scream / A dimly lit party where Bob Dylan burns in the background / Playing football with the Gallagher Brothers as the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club cruise by...

For the love of Rock and Roll...

Love Ash & The Matadors