Lawrence Arabia is the monicker of New Zealand songwriter and producer James Mine. Turned off by the infinite possibilities of Pro Tools, Mine channeled the late-’60s work of Serge Gainsbourg and Scott Walker on his third album, The Sparrow (Bella Union). Although more mature than his previous efforts, The Sparrow still has some of the same wit of albums like Taite Music Prize/Silver Scroll-winning Chant Darling. Below is a mix tape he made for MAGNET.
“Travelling Shoes” (download):
Leno Lovecraft “Silver Aquariums”
One of the most humbling moments of Camp A Low Hum 2011 (a magnificent and unique New Zealand festival) was seeing an old swimming pool full of 500 kids going absolutely apeshit to this very young and unassuming-looking performer. His music is often like Italo disco with Prince doing some mega solos over it, but this one sounds more like Nino Rota in space. Video
Connan Mockasin “Megumi The Milkyway Above”
Connan comes from Te Awanga (from North Island’s Hawke’s Bay), lives in London and is kind of famous in France. Video
Opposite Sex “Sea Shanty”
A fine and enchanting band from Gisborne, who now live in New Zealand’s bohemian epicentre, Dunedin. “I swam away from the merman/He was handsome and green as a pea.” Video
Bressa Creeting Cake “Egyptian Tanker”
One of the mystical and lovely songs from their somewhat legendary self-titled album. Video
Axemen “Hey Alice”
You may be impressed enough by the theme music of Yahoo!, a long forgotten New Zealand children’s show, but just wait for this incredible performance by the iconoclastic Dunedin/Christchurch band Axemen. The song “Hey Alice” is some kind of prequel to Smokey’s devastating “Live Next Door To Alice.” The audacity/perversity of the Flying Nun publicity department is something to admire. Video
The Brunettes “Record Store”
This band were my musical apprenticeship. This was always one of my favorites to play becauseI got to pretend to be Steve Cropper. Video
The Eversons “Creepy”
Jonathan Bree from the Brunettes has a label called Lil’ Chief, and this is one of their great new bands. They are always spot on live and a bunch of babes. Basically an A&R wet dream. Video
The Tape Men “Mysterious Island”
We are lucky to have such excellent footage of the Tape Men in action. I was privy to an Auckland concert of theirs where the bass player and a beer keg were simultaneously crowd surfing. One of my favorite ever live shows. The Mysterious Tape Man is consistently New Zealand’s most dynamic live entertainer. Video
Delaney Davidson “Time Has Gone”
If Tape Man was having an unthinkable off night, Delaney Davidson might just trump him. Witness this amazing live performance in Munich. Video
Shaft “Downhill Racer”
Axemen alumnus Bob Cardy (née Brannigan) formed the ultimate New Zealand rock ‘n’ roll band, Shaft, and this is their biggest hit. Absolutely one of the most immense songs ever written. Video
Roy Montgomery “Departing The Body”
To finish off, something that will hopefully allow you to contemplate the process of the subduction of the Pacific plate by the Australian plate, causing the formation of the Southern Alps over millions of years. Video
