Running 2.0 music in the family

I still come across people who express amazement at the musical talent here in Tauranga. It vaguely bugs me.

I know it's meant as sincere admiration for whoever the 'talent” is, but it's the accompanying dose of surprise that, well, surprises me.

Why would Tauranga musicians not be that good? We've, time and time again, produced terrific players of all stripes, be it Deanne Hunter and Damian Forlong with Shaken Not Stirred in Wellington, Grant Winterburn in Auckland or the Bay's Mosiac Music, who took home the Best Gospel Christian Album award at last week's 2014 NZ Vodafone Music Awards.

Second generation

Of course, there's a pile of talent here.

What's struck me recently though is how much second generation talent there is.
I've written quite a lot this year about Oscar Laven, son of Robbie Laven and Marion Arts, currently fronting at least two bands in Wellington and in high demand on a handful of different wind instruments. (There's some very cool stuff of his on YouTube).

Then there's singer John Michaelz's son who has been playing, primarily at several Mount venues, under the name Dylan Israel. (Note: I have heard rumours that he now has a different handle but I haven't been able to confirm it.)

Dylan's a very impressive singer/songwriter. There's a full session of him playing on Soundtree Live online; it's from the first series but still well worthwhile.

Dylan puts his new stuff online, and so does third-generation musician Janson Ward, an extraordinary guitarist who is the son of singer Kim Ward and grandson of veteran car-racing muso Bill Ward.

Janson once got a gig supporting Paul Ubana Jones because Paul saw one of his stunning YouTube clips. Have a Google and be amazed.

First-time gigging

There're a lot more musicians in Generation 2.0 who I'm going to skip over, so apologies to the Braunias and Bullot clans and a bunch of others too. Get in touch and let me know what you're doing and we'll have Part 2...

Meanwhile, putting out his stuff on actual CD is newcomer Eli James, son of Hip-Shooters guitarist Anton Tipi Elkington.

He's recently been out gigging for the first time: I caught him at Molly O'Connor's in Te Puke where they now have Sunday afternoon music.

He's really good, with a rich, surprisingly mature voice that sounds simultaneously relaxed and emotive, and a simple but effectively percussive acoustic guitar style.
He has just released ‘All For You', an eight-track CD of original songs.

Locked in my brain

I've been playing it constantly and am blown away, with at least three of the songs spending a day each locked in my brain.

‘All For You' I guess would most accurately be described as a demo. It was recorded at Shane Davies' Soundtree Studio and sounds warm and personal.

It is sparse and the only 'production” is a few extra touches of Tipi's electric guitar and some gorgeous familial harmonies. But that doesn't matter.

The world is full of demos that got released, everything from Michelle Shocked's famous first album to the current flood of Dylan's ‘Basement Tapes'. Something like this can offer is an intimacy often lost through over-production.

What is striking about Eli's debut is his instinctive feel for songwriting: ‘All For You',
‘Falling', ‘Ease Your Pain' and ‘Butterfly Garden' all stand out.

Room for development

There is obviously room for development but this is a fine start. Get it at shows or via his Facebook page.

And, if you happen to be at one of Eli's gigs you could also pick up a copy of Tipi's new CD – and this one really is demos – ‘Painted Pony: The Home Sessions'.

Whereas I'd recommend Eli's album to anyone interested in the likes of Damien Rice, Tipi's is really for people interested in Tipi. Which is a few I'd guess since he has developed a solid following over the years.

These are home sessions, extremely enjoyable lo-fi demos of unheard Tipi songs – and Hendrix's ‘Angel' – which move outside his usual blues territory and are clearly influenced by Jimi, Dylan and even The Beatles. For fans this offers a fascinating insight into the lesser-taken paths of Tipi's music making.

Next week: new albums from guitarist Sean Bodley and Waihi group
The Line Up.

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