It's not true, I don't like EVERYTHING from New Zealand

I'm going to see Neil this coming weekend. Sunday, to be more precise. I know. You can HARDLY wait, right?

Last weekend at Jesus Christ Superstar I was having flashbacks to the Crowded House show (held in the same venue). The flashbacks were slighty hazy on account of all that wine I drank (at Crowded House, not at JCS... I generally don't get smashed on family outings to the theater to see our Lord and Saviour belt out the tunes), and I remembered how friggin' cool it was to walk right down to the front. I remember handing the usher my ticket, and how she smiled, and how I heard this gathering of angels singing, "ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh," and how each successive usher simply continued, well, ushering us to the very front. They all just smiled knowingly. She's in the front row. Look at her. It was like being part of a secret club, you know? I would imagine it's what sitting in first class on a plane must be like.

My point, however, is that at this coming show, it's general admission. There is no special ushering of the Zielskes down to the front. No. At this show, I'm going to have to fight my way to the mosh pit on my own. I will do what I must for closeness to Neil.

And speaking of closeness to Neil, my friend and fellow Neil devotee Krista, linked me up with a video of the dude who's opening for Neil and Co. on this brief but glorious American tour, Don McGlashan. I have a link to one of his songs on the YouTube sidebar, but I never know if anyone gives a wild hoot about the YouTube sidebar on this blog. So I'm going to post it here. Because if you like music, you need to check this Kiwi out.

As I'm trying to explain this guy to Dan, Dan accuses me of being one of those people who, if you like one thing, you're going to like EVERYTHING that has any relation to the original thing. He compared me to a dear friend of ours who, when he was into R.E.M. back in the day, was also into everything and anything else from Athens, G.A. Every single band that came out of that small southern town in the late 80s and early 90s. And as Dan pointed out to me, "Dumptruck just wasn't that good."

So here's me. Loving Neil. And loving Liam. And yes, I'm quite certain if his dog put out a CD, I would like that as well. That said, Don McGlashan is from New Zealand, and is apparently quite an NZ music icon himself, coming from a few different seminal NZ bands, but I swear to God, he could be from Nebraska, and I would still be absolutely mesmerized by his music.

So take that, Dan Zielske.

You can hear a few more tracks on his My Space page, and his album, Warm Hand, is available on iTunes. One song is a must hear: Toy Factory. It is one of the most haunting songs I've heard in a long time, and the story that goes with it is true and devastating. I know. Sounds like a real party album! But honestly, if you like music, check it out.

I'm heading to Utah tomorrow, will try and post from the road. Until then, please for to enjoy.

Comments

[Joanne]

Cathy....just to comment about your sidebar - I always checkout the things you list over there ---------------------->, because I LOVE music and you've turned me on to some really cool tunes!

[Kim]

You and Dan were MADE for each other.

[Melissa Blair]

omg... I'm in a secret club too! Unfortunately it only has like only one other member and he is straight up nerd patrol and sometimes he plays air guitar to Kansas while I sit mortified waiting for the light to change and hoping that no one will recognize us. Your secret club sounds a lot cooler.

[Lauren]

OK, listening to Don M now via Rhapsody and liking it. But...feeling a bit intimidated by the lyrics that I'm sure have lots of deep, hidden meaning in them that I just can't figure out. Anyhoo... Thank you for the music recommendations. I, too, enjoy looking at what you're "Listening to" and checking it out. Hope you have a great, great night at the concert on Sunday.

[Madeline]

I looove this video. I will be getting the album now. Thanks.

[sue Treiber]

Hoot!
I usually do whatever you tell me to, even if that means visiting places I normally wouldn't. :)
That was a beautiful song. Have you downloaded the new Weepies? Also gorgeous.

[Festi]

>>>>at Crowded House, not at JCS... I generally don't get smashed on family outings to the theater to see our Lord and Saviour belt out the tunes<<<<<

LMBO Though he wouldn't mind a teeny bit of the vino.

[Cerise]

Cathy!

Nebraska rocks!

[Leslie]

Cathy,
Have a terrific time at your concert this weekend. I know you must be flying high!

Totally connected with the front row seat experience. I recently saw James Blunt (who is my Neil Finn) and DH had not only got us front row seats, but we flew across the country to get there. It was worth every penny!!!

Good luck on getting yourself way down front!!!You can do it!
Leslie

[Trina]

LOL. You know theres nothing wrong with loving stuff from NZ right?! Maybe you should check out some Kiwi scrappers too?! Hehehe.
A proud kiwi.

[Janine]

Another proud kiwi here.....enjoy the concert and fight for your life to get as close to Tim as you can in the front there
:-)

[Nicola]

yessm, no more links or lyrics. got it.

[Elena]

Cathy, I wanted to ask if you've heard any of Paolo Nutini's "These Streets" cd. I love it and thought you might like him too or maybe you've mentioned him before. Thanks for keeping us up-to-date on everything and hope the concert is as wonderful as you are expecting!

[Karen]

Thanks for the link. Beautiful songs! I must say I am accused of the very same thing by my husband. My devotion to Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers is probably akin to yours for Crowded House. He swears I'd buy the same brand of socks if I could just figure out what brand that is. Have fun in Utah!

[krista]

Dumptruck, Dumptruck. Dan would be oh-so-sorely mistaken if he thinks that just 'cause they made sounds akin to that jangle pop noise that REM made so famous, that Dumptruck hails from Athens. Au contraire, my friend. The two main guys are from Boston. Or Massachusetts at least. So tell Dan where to stick his geography theory! ;)

[lisa]

Hey Cathy
As you like Neil and Don so much, check out The Black Seeds and the Phoenix Foundation, very much in the same vein and also from New Zealand! Nothing goes past Don singing 'Anchor Me' though, fabulous....except for The Killers which are MY music obsession :)

[Nina]

Don't know how often you check for updates on YouTube, but Liam was on a UK TV show last week. I saw this, and thought of you... as they say. Pretty fab stuff!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0cAEpIp2PPU

[sharon]

Cathy,

I'm so out of popular music I've never heard of half the people you love but I too check out your sidebars, cuz I figure if you like this stuff, maybe I will too. When I get my MP3 player for mother's day, I plan on including some of his stuff and guess I'll have to check out this Neil guy too - course I'm more of a Neil Young girl - telling my age. Is that you on the video dancing with extensions? :)

[Sharon]

Don has written some amazing songs over the years (and some plain weird ones). Some of my faves are Anchor Me, Thing Well Made, The Heater (gotta love someone who can write a song about an electric heater) and an oldie, Andy, from his Front Lawn days. I like his story telling and he is one of the few NZ songwriters who actually mentions NZ places in his songs.

[Nic Howard]

Way to bring the NZers out of the woodwork, huh? Most things derived from this gorgeous little country in the middle of the pacific ocean rocks - but then you know that ;o) Cool that you've taken an interest in another NZ musician, his Muttonbirds days were my favs.

NZ misses you.
Nic H.

[Katie]

check out flight of the conchords, NZ also.

Neil does a phone bit with their "manager" on the Itunes podcast.

[Amy Jane]

This kinda random, but I was in NZ a couple weeks ago and I went to a store in Wellington called KiwiScraps. The nice Kiwi woman working there asked me where I was from, I said Minnesota, and she told me to tell you she says, "hi." I'm glad you brought up NZ or I would have forgotten! I feel like I should also mention that there were 2 cockatoos in the store. It's beside the point, but I thought it was neat.

[Monica]

You've been tagged!

Monica (you have no idea who I am but I am a loyal blog reader and uber fan)

[Kelly]

You will sooo enjoy that concert - and I reckon you guys should just move here. It's clear you love our wee bit of paradise and what we have to offer anyway so just get here already! LOL

[Michele]

Got NEW ZEALAND!!! Got to love the kiwis :-)

[Delaney Gates]

Ahhh, just what I needed... I woke up. Thought I'd check out your blog, pressed 'play', and low and behold, a man with a GORGEOUS voice is looking at me! Singing! Doesn't get any better than that.

[Tara Kekahuna]

I am loving your new blog header. Your daughters "relationship" with the camera is awesome. I'm jealous,, she's a beauty. Takes after her Mom and Dad, huh? :)

[Jenn Ellefson]

Krista told me you were a fellow Finn-atic! I know you will enjoy the show - I had a lot of fun Friday night in DC. Never enough Neil. *sigh*

[maegan]

Hey, what's the latest on Rock of LOVE?

[Lauren]

Ok. I listened, and I will buy. It is certain. thanks for the tip.

[Lynn G]

LOL - Don was playing at the school fair down the road a few weeks ago! You should check out his 1980s incarnation called "The Front Lawn". Quirky in the extreme but very memorable esp "Andy" and "Claude Raines". Brilliant in concert. Sadly I don't think you can get any of the songs from the album "Songs from the Front Lawn" on itunes but there are a few clips at youtube. Enjoy!

[Jo]

Hows about some Greg Johnson? He's a nice NZ boy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyeNpAifr7U

[Jo]

And one more, some Brooke Fraser..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4KiGN1j1No

[mary bartolotta]

Cathy,
Now I'm intrigued!! what is the story behind the song? I'd love to know...thanks for sharing..maryb

[KathleenR]

Woohoo!!! NZ rocks!!! Glad you like some of our best musos. Check this one out too, she is fantastic, writes her own music and is just...well...fantastic!!!!!
http://www.myspace.com/ginwigmore

Cheers from DownUnder

[Neen]

Icon - maybe not so much - I had to really look into who he was... shame on me!

But yes he was in the Muttonbirds and yes I love Anchor Me...

As Lisa said you must hear The Black Seeds and even Goldenhorse. Happy moshing!

[Neen]

Oh and have to also tell you that there are new Tim Tams out...

Tim Tam Crush... super... wish you were here ;)

http://www.simplyoz.com/i/p/8001-11.jpg

Assuming you already knew about the Tim Tam Love Potions...

http://www.simplyoz.com/i/p/8001-7.jpg

[tweet herself]

better late than never.... i posted this music video on my blog after hearing it here. it was mesmerizing and i was inspired beyond measure.
thank you, thank you!
oh... and i hope the concert was all you had hoped for... i guess i can still go look at the later post to find out....
your friend, bird tweet robin from down the road

[tracee]

Hi Cathy
this was my first visit to your blog (via Nic H) and wow - it was like a homecoming!! Yes another proud kiwi here - what a fantastic ambassador you are for us - did you know that in NZ, May is officially 'NZ Music Month'? - perfect timing. Now back to the blog to find some scrapbooking inspiration!