Category Archives: gigs
Reflections on the remains of the day
i often feel kinda low biorhythmically especiaĺly earlier in the day. By the time the office workers are heading home i start to feel like starting my real “work” in fact back in my youth i could work all night on a song and finish by dawn and feel like a king.
The rest of my life was a trainwreck though ….but at the time i didn’t realise how good some of my writing was. I underestimated the worth of my material. Perhaps that was the secret.
Self Doubt can be a spur.
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Concert Update: for tomorrow 6th August
- We are pleased with the support so far. Radio campaign is covered and other expenses will be covered considerable tho they be BUT we need your input. Pls book here.
- Kids have free entry and the event is family friendly
- Refreshments will be available. A new development. However you welcome to bring a bento or other food.
- The show will be recorded and filmed. The material will be original. Atmosphere convivial
- Cost of entry minimal – with 5+ performers on the night
So; Turn your pc off. Watch Netflix some other time. Bring a friend if you have one and if you don’t come along and make new friends at the concert.
See you there and if you need help to find us call me on 021 0259 2919
LETS BE SHOCKINGLY CONVIVIAL AND GENUINELY FRIENDLY
Here is a taster from Duncan & Angel
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But……there is one area where self doubt is not required…when reaching out to a long lost buddy. And i can illustrate it with this story
Long ago i went to a Berkley School of jazz course being held in Wellington. John Schofield was one of the guitar teachers. Love his playing still. Check him out.
At this course i also met Jeff Dickie from Dunedin. He told me that being a pro wasn’t for him and he preferred to look elsewhere for his livelihood. He went on to achieve great things both in music and other pursuits and for decades i have often reflected upon what he told me the best part of four decades ago. He is a great chap and i always felt in awe of him
I assumed he wouldn’t want to hear from me but for once i decided to give my self doubt a break.
I found his number and called and naturally expected him to be kinda distant and perplexed as to why i should call. His response was the reverse. He was very pleased to hear from me and filled me in on what he did immediately after the Berkley course. He also offered to play on my next recording session ….the last thing i expected! He is kindness itself.
Here is what he wrote to me following our chat regarding that time way back in the early 80s
“I went to the USA in 1981 to buy a Mesa Boogie amplifier. I read about them and couldn’t sleep until I had one. I went through epic iIiad sagas to get my hands on one….. the factory couldn’t supply me with one as the waiting list had a who’s who of world famous guitarists waiting.. Including Clapton, Townsend, BB King etc etc. I then spied what I wanted in a free San Francisco newspaper and rushed off to buy it. When I returned to my hotel I turned on the TV to find a bloke had sat down on the same park bench where I had read the paper an hour before and was shot dead by an unknown assailant! How did I digress to here? A week later I was traveling through the Rockies near Denver when the Greyline bus stopped at a small mountain village in the middle of nowhere. Pete Peterson, the red-neck bus driver suggested we try the one local bar for a beer and a sandwich. There we were greeted by John Hinckley Junior, who about a week later shot President Ronnie Reagan! This is absolutely true. “
By the way the show on Saturday. Let me explain
- It’s a long show why? It’s not just about me. We have some great acts and it starts early so families can come. Btw. Kids free
- It costs heaps but if it fills up we will cover expenses. If it doesn’t then the next show is gonna cost a lot more to attend so pleeeeeeeeease support it
- Bring by all means your own picnic. It’s not a cafe
- Come and go as ya please and yes you can get tickets at the door or now online BUT its filling up fast and with the interview on BFM from 6 tonight i aim to plug the last seats and fill the venue… “Every day is international blues music day” but apparently that happens tomorrow too.
- We have the best soundman and soundsystem that you can get. His name is Paul Crowther SPLIT ENZ drummer and Hotcake inventor
- Great friends – Basant. Tabla. Duncan and angel. Marcus. Steve. And mystery guest
I will be playing short sets early on and a long set to finish the show. It will be fun please come and or sponsor the event.
Thank you Alan for supporting the BFM campaign
Any questions? Call me 021 0259 2919
Concert news – friends performing include
Come alongs for new songs and friends – the remains of the day….Artists performing on Satirday August 6th include…
1. Marcus Sellwood
MW (Marcus) Sellwood is an Auckland blues artist. He’s played under many guises in cafes, clubs, pubs and widely on the street for the last 20 years. His exciting electric guitar grooves and wry vocal style combine for a fresh take on blues music in the new millennium!
2. Basant Madhur
Basant Madhur is a widely acknowledged tabla player and a much-respected artiste in the arena of Indian Classical Music. On account of his versatility and pleasing disposition, he is the most sought & creative artist in the realm of Indian classical music in New Zealand and Australasia as a whole.
Born into a family of musicians, he took early training from his elder brother Deepak Madhur and received expert guidance from Punjab Gharana tabla maestro, the late Pt. Pawan Kumar Verma. During his college period, he received numerous awards at state, zonal & national level youth festivals. At the same time, All India Radio & Television approved him as a performing artist at AIR & television in Shimla. Madhur moved to New 
Zealand in 2002 and established the “Sargam School of Indian Music.” By 2006, he had trained more than 300 students- some of which at a very high level. In 2008 he received the Award of Appreciation for his contribution to the field of music by GOPIO (Global organization of People of Indian Origin New Zealand).
Basant has had the honor of accompanying some of the stalwarts of Indian Classical Music such as Grammy winner Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt in New Zealand and USA, Pt. Ronu Majumdar in New Zealand & Australia, Pt. Rakesh Chaurasia, saxophone genius Dr. Kadri Gopalnath and mridangam player Patri Satish Kumar to name a few. He has also collaborated with several western musicians such as John Ellis, Luke Hurley, Murray McNabb, Frank Gibson Jr., Jon sanders and Prosad Freeman in fusion music. Other then being a regular feature in many music festivals in New Zealand, Basant is known to perform in India, Australia and USA on other occasions.
ALSO HAVE A LOOK AT:
3. Duncan Gillies and Angel Gordon
Duncan Gillies and Angel Gordon have been playing together for six years. Duncan is a songwriter of some considerable repute, writing and performing his own material who explores God, love, loss and everything inbetween, while Angel is master musician who adds depth and atmosphere to their songs.
4. Steven Hood
Lauded by the media as “One of the brightest new things on the New Zealand music scene” (New Zealand Herald) New Zealand singer songwriter Stevie Starr’s (now performing as Steven Hood) debut album “We Hope In All Things New” continues to received acclaim by critics and audiences alike. Press described the album as “Like Sigur Rós if they hung out with Radiohead in a Horowhenua forest.” (The Sunday Star Times) and Rip It Up noted Starr as an “Act to Look Out For”. Steven takes inspiration from his expeditions, hitch-hiking around NZ and Europe, playing gigs at the Starclub in Hamburg, meeting Maori tribal elders at Waitangi, dossing with crab farmers, and drinking with locals on the road, hoping one might offer him a refreshing beverage in exchange for a tale. Currently Steven has been working on his follow-up LP, due for release next year. “We Hope In All Things New” is distributed by Border Music and DRM.
5. Luke Hurley
Luke Hurley’s music has been described as a blend of finely honed edgy lyrics and minimal inimitable guitar. Luke sings about topics finely tuned to the times.
His music has influenced a generation with songs like “I’m in love with the Mona Lisa”, “First Civilian”, “Make Room” and “The Sound”. His music has featured in movies like “The Insatiable Moon” and “Broken Hallelujah” he has made albums like “Make Room” and “High Risk” that have influenced bands and numerous solo artists.
He tests everything he writes on the street and has hugely influenced the busking scene in Auckland. His material is fully realised before it makes it to the show.
To get tickets online go here or rock up with cash on the night. Thanks.
The show on Saturday includes not only me but also
STEVE. MC. SONGWRITER
BASANT. TABLA
MARCUS. BLUES GUITAR
DUNCAN AND ANGEL. SONGS FROM THE DEPTHS
I WANT TO WEAVE BETWEEN THE SLOTS AND THEN CONCLUDE THE EVENING ON MY LONESOME FROM 8:30 TO 10
ITS GOING TO BE CONVIVIAL AND LAIDBACK
BE THERE OR BE SQUARE
ANY QUESTIONS? CALL ME 02102592919
Before the War – concert 6th August
Before the war is a song I co wrote with Ardy who wrote the lyrics in response to his experience fighting in the Iran / Iraq war in which more than a million people died . As with most wars the given reasons for the conflict probably had nothing to do with the publicised reasons.
At a crossroads it was observed that military supplies for both sides were in a long line originating at the same source turning right or left at the the intersection according to which side was being weaponised. We wrote this song some time ago.
Since we wrote it more than 60million people have been rendered homeless due to wars around the world* …so it’s time to sing this song everywhere. Ask us to play the song to you call me 021 0259 2919 and i will even sing it to your phone and please come to the next concert. *Chart is from 2014 Latest numbers here
“Since early 2011, the main reason for the acceleration has been the war in Syria, now the world’s single-largest driver of displacement. Every day last year on average 42,500 people became refugees, asylum seekers, or internally displaced, a four-fold increase in just four years.”
Luke Hurley & Friends concert. The remains of the day. Saturday August 6th, 5-10pm. The venue address is Western Springs Garden Community Hall, 956 Great North Rd, Western Springs. Entry $20 Tickets at the door or use online ticketing below.
$20 a ticket P.S click on orange buttons below to buy shopping cart. You will be emailed directly by secure PayPal
Please use the buttons below for concert tickets
P.s if possible please book tickets now to ensure a smoother production. The last show was a cliffhanger and somewhat shambolic due to the last minuteness of it. The Aug 6 gig is gonna be smooth and enlightening. It’s not just entertainment It’s therapy but with a real edge that addresses things the lamestream won’t ever contemplate
Not that we object to mainstream its just that it’s so constrained to please everyone that it pleases no one and tends to mirror society in warped looking glass.
“Let the people have their peaceful lives
Health
Home
Family
Love
A feeling of belongingness
Just like you
Before the war”
Adry.
I will introduce you to Ardy and other friends during the show and an itinery will be posted so you know the lineup the ample running time will accomodate.
It’s going to be convivial. Feel free to enjoy the remains of the day with us.
Download the A3 version of the poster here. Luke A3 Poster August