Simon Comber

The Monster Women playing their effortless strain of feel-like-I've-known-this-all-my-life-but-still-so-fresh rock 'n' roll at The Shanty in Eureka, CA - a wonderfully crazy dive bar with a great selection of beer on tap. They had to move the pool table and pinball machine so we could play!

Silhouette of a rugged up Barbara Manning playing at The 2nd Annual Beach Party in the Sky - held at Mad River Beach in Arcata, CA. Watching so many artists and bands play in such a magical setting as the sun sank behind the sand dunes was one of the more memorable experiences I've had on any tour anywhere, in any of my lifetimes.

Listen to The Monster Women here , and read about the Beach Party here.

The "music has started" arrow at Hemlock Tavern

Aside from this very cool neon letting the bar clientele know that live music has begun in the other room, Hemlock’s other, er, idiosyncratic feature was the fact that the only thing separating the Mens restroom “number ones” receptacle from its “number twos” was a black polythene curtain that did not touch the ground. If one felt daring enough for number twos, the ways of ascertaining the status of said receptacle were:
1) look under the curtain
2) just peer around the curtain

But enough about art . . .

It was so great to see Barbara Manning play for the first time. She is a charming performer whose own personality shines through and refuses to be contained by her obvious respect for (and control of) certain traditional aspects of songwriting. I first heard Barbara’s voice singing a song on this album , which at the time I didn’t realise was a Verlaines song (in fact The Verlaines themselves were next on the tracklist with the immortal Heavy 33!). I went out and bought Barbara’s  1212 L.P soon after, which contains The Arsonist Story,  to this day one of indie rocks most inspired song sequences. Who knew back then that over 15 years down the track I’d be getting the opportunity to play shows with both artists? Not me. I’d never even written a song. Funny how things work out.

I played my first show in America at Old Style Guitar Shop in L.A. I recommend playing there to anyone!

Conversation on subway after first show

Random dude: “What instrument ya got in that case?”
Me: “Electric guitar.”
RD: “Oh you like to get DOWN huh? You play lead or bass?”
Me: “Rhythm.”
RD: “THERE  ya go! I play the trumpet. Taught myself in prison. First song I ever  learnt was The Pink Panther.”

Of course!

 AMAZING poster by Sophie Watson

Today is May 21. Judgement Day? Apparently. The perfect day to digitally pre-release my new E.P given anything could happen? Definitely! The official release date is June 10, that being the date of my first U.S show with merch to sell. But let it be forever said that it was not June 10, but May 21, 2011 on which you could first  name your price on bandcamp . I am really excited for you to hear these tracks. Much thanks to Tom Healy, Stu Harwood, and Vivien Masters for the hard work they’ve put into this project. See you at the shows!

Looks like I’ve gone and found myself an ACTUAL tour itinerary. Dates posted on the sidebar to the right. I’m super-pscyhed to be playing a whole variety of shows: everything from great lineups at long-established venues like Hemlock in San Fran and M-Room in Philly, to a BEACH PARTY on the California coast, to Betty’s Bar and Grill in Nashville. A Nashville-based friend who drinks there described it as being “full of burping cowboys.” Still not sure if she was being serious. Like I said: PSYCHED. And extra excited to be playing shows with Barbara Manning, whose records I own and adore, and without whom I wouldn’t have half these shows. See you there!

p.s – if you have an iPhone or iPad you can hear (and watch) the track New Day from my forthcoming E.P, by downloading the New Day Interactive video app. The app was produced by Laurent Antonczak and White Rabbit Works.

p.p.s. – if you have a computer you can download the track Young and In Love , also from my forthcoming E.P , which by the way is called The Right to Talk to Strangers.

p.p.p.s. - both downloads are FREE

Exciting times! I’m nearing the completion of a 5 track e.p that I’m making with musical renaissance man Thomas Healey. It includes my first ever cover song, which, much to my relief and delight, has just been approved for release by the guy who wrote the song. I’m also heading to the States in June. If you have any venues/artists/other helpful people/miscellaneous info you can point me in the direction of (particularly with regards L.A, San Fran, NYC, Nashville – also interested in Portland and Seattle) then PLEASE DO CONTACT ME

I dropped by Radio NZ on thursday before the Wellington gig. I did an interview with the wonderful Emma Smith and performed a few tracks from Endearance.
You can stream it here.

too

much

reading !!