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July
On Saturday 24th July, an hour-length interview and music selection will be broadcast as an episode of the bNet Seeded documentary series:
"Dudley Benson is one of those extraordinary artists who spreads his talent across many mediums. He is a musician, composer, singer (and former chorister at Christchurch Cathedral) and writer, and upon the release of his 2008 album The Awakening was described as an "indie chamber-pop choirboy". Today, he discusses music that has inspired him, from Nico to Hirini Melbourne."
95bFM 11am; Radio Control 2pm; Radio Active 9.30am; RDU 2pm; Radio One 10am. Listen/download the Podcast at 95bFM
Home image: $3 Stitchbird, issued by NZ Post, 23rd April 1985. The stitchbird (Notiomystis cincta), also known as 'hihi', is easily identified by their erractic movements and distinctive call. They are a forest dwelling species feeding mainly on nectar, fruits and insects. Adults feed in the lower forest strata whereas juveniles spend much time on or near the ground. Now confined to Little Barrier Island, Hauraki Gulf and Hen Island where it was introduced in 1980, the stitchbird was previously distributed throughout much of the North Island and on Great Barrier Island. The stitchbird was apparently uncommon in the northern third of the North Island, even in early European times and became extinct in the North Island and on Great Barrier before 1900. - New Zealand Post
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May
Kia ora e whānau: an important (and I'm sure brilliant) set of programmes will be broadcast this coming week on Radio New Zealand Concert. The work and legacy of the late Hirini Melbourne, one of Aotearoa's most special and yet under-appreciated artists, is explored on this six-part series every day from Sunday 23rd until Friday 28th May at 9am. On Friday's final episode, my 2008 St Matthew-in-the-city performance of Melbourne's Pipiwharauroa will be broadcast for the first time, as well as initial information on my forthcoming new LP. Click for ways to listen to Radio New Zealand Concert.
Home image: $2 Black Robin, issued by NZ Post, 24th April 1985. One of the world's rarest birds, the Chatham Islands black robin (Petroica traversi), is a forest and scrub dweller of about 16cm in length. This species is one of the smallest in numbers and most endangered in the world and during the summer of 1976/77 the New Zealand Wildlife Service transferred the entire population from Little Mangere Island to nearby Mangere Island (in the Chatham Islands group) after planting 150,000 trees in an effort to rejuvenate the habitat. In 1980/81, the first clutches of the remaining birds were transferred to nearby nests of Chatham Island warblers, where three chicks were raised to fledging by the warblers before being returned to the robins for rearing. - New Zealand Post
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April 2010
Not an awful lot of news, other than to say that I'll be shortly announcing details of a new project - a miniature LP - for release this year, with a New Zealand tour to follow.
Home image: $1 Kokako, issued by NZ Post, 24th April 1985. The kokako (Callaeas cinerea) illustrated is a North Island variety and is also known as the blue wattled crow, referring to the two blue bags which hang from the head of the bird and steel-grey plumage. The kokako grows to about 38 cm long. With two legs and a disproportionately long tail, it is not a good flier but tends to hop along branches and trunks and glide from one tree to another or move across the forest floor with a clumsy bounding gait. Living in dense pockets of kauri trees and rain forest, the kokako is usually well away from the sight of man feeding on young leaves, flowers and berries. The North Island kokako is now quite rare - barely surviving its orange-wattled South Island cousins, considered today to be extinct. - New Zealand Post
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December 2009
The Awakening: Supplementary Workbook is now available to order through the Shop. Currently, there are
The Supplementary Workbook is a collection of research, interviews, artwork, photographs, reviews and an essay, all associated with The Awakening album project. I intend for it to be a future reference & research tool, as well as an artwork in its own right. The book includes:
- A conclusive interview between me and writer Brannavan Gnanalingam that covers the writing, arranging, production, promotion and touring processes - An interview with album engineer Adrian Hollay - Photography by and interview with Warren Dawson, the previously - Photography by Karen Inderbitzen-Waller - Artwork by Ed Lust - An essay by Jessica Lightfoot on the album's critical reception - Artwork by Hanna Lee - Artwork by Brooke Woolley - Photography by Matt Nash - An index of promotional material
First edition of 50 Stamped & hand-numbered, each book includes individual drawings by Hanna Lee 110 pages, 38 colour plates 21 x 29.7cm, 100% recycled stock
The Awakening has been included in Nick Bollinger's 100 Essential New Zealand Albums, recently published by Awa Press.
I wish minimal stress for all over Christmas.
Home image: cover of The Awakening: Supplementary Workbook by Warren Dawson, designed by Frances Young
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October
Sunday 1st November, 3pm Art Lounge, New Gallery Corner Lorne & Khartoum Free admission, limited seating
There's also an edition of 100 postcards with photography by Matt Nash scattered about.
The Awakening: Supplementary Workbook is not far off, details below. Golden Retriever Records will shortly distribute in New Zealand an album by its second artist! There will be more details about this soon.
Home image by Matt Nash, 2009.
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August ...explores various aspects of the album, from its writing to its release
...contains interviews with album engineer Adrian Hollay, previously unidentified Sunnyside photographer Warren Dawson and a transcribed discussion between myself and writer Brannavan Gnanalingam ...features colour plates of artwork & photography by Warren Dawson, Karen Inderbitzen-Waller, Ed Lust, Brooke Woolley & Matt Nash ...is in a first edition of 50. Each workbook is numbered, stamped, & includes three individual drawings by Hanna Lee Most books will be off to public libraries and archives, however there will be a small number available through the Shop in Home image: The Old Building, Sunnyside Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand by Warren Dawson, c. 1976. Cover of the forthcoming The Awakening: Supplementary Workbook  |
