Rhian Sheehan at Downstage
Before you start reading this post click here and ideally have this playing in the background.
A couple of weeks ago I interviewed Samuel Flynn Scott to preview his show at Downstage. It's a new concept this year that Downstage Theatre has put together - monthly Sunday night shows at the family-friendly hour of 7pm. It also allows the musicians a chance to explore and integrate elements of the theatre, playing to an intimate (seated) audience. Not having to check levels against noisy punters, rowdy coffee machines and elaborate drink ordering/supplying must be a blessing to musicians wanting to perform to an audience who cares.
And this is what is being supplied.
Here's the official website for ordering tickets and information to this Sunday's show.
What you will see this Sunday, if you live near or in Wellington, or are visiting, is Rhian Sheehan (if you click there you'll get background and will be able to hear some audio samples).
Specifically you will see the World Premiere live performance of Sheehan's album Standing in Silence.
I trust readers to be able to remember to last week but if not, please click here, where you will see that I rated Sheehan's Standing in Silence as my top album by a New Zealander this year. The fact that it's by a New Zealander is, really, just a bonus - meaning we get to see this performance - for the music on Standing in Silence comes from New Zealand, sure, it was made here, but it reaches far beyond. It spreads itself wide - too wide to fit into the narrow scope of the New Zealand Music Awards (which is why, if you read last week, or clicked on the link, you would have seen that I had to create the Blog on the Tracks Awards to honour that album and others).
Anyway, this Sunday, in the intimate space at Downstage, using innovative staging, you will get to hear this magical album live, played in its entirety, for the first time.
Sheehan describes the sound as "like floating through space in a warm bath. The music is all about reflection and contemplation. I would describe Standing in Silence as drifting through some future megatropolis city through the eyes and innocence of a child".
He confirms it will be "the first time the Standing in Silence Show has been played live with a full band and the accompanying visuals and the multimedia setup. What was essentially a studio album recorded in different locations, including field recordings, will now come to life on stage. The intention with the live show is to play th
e entire album from start to finish, but with a live feel/flow".
There are plenty of special guests helping Sheehan to create the "live feel/flow". He is pleased to have one of the main collaborators on the album performing live with him and that is Jeff Boyle (from Jakob). Sheehan says "his unique guitar sonic was an integral ingredient to the album". Live percussion will be served up by Tom Pierard and Steve Bremner (of Strike notoriety). Sheehan says they "will be bringing alive the percussive elements from the album".
And there will also be Raashi Malik (you will know her voice from work with Rhombus), Jess Chambers, Andy Hummel, Pete Hill, and Jeramiah Ross (aka Module). Rhian says "there will also be a small string section and some other special guests".
And to make further use of the space, helping to create something unique, something with the potential to be truly special, there will be visuals from Gareth Moon of Nektar, designed especially for this one-off show. (Here's the video Nektar made for the fourth track from Standing in Silence.)
There are other surprises, I am sure...
Outside of the work going into this world premiere, Sheehan has been busy creating the score to the TV2 drama series The Cult, and says he is working on new pieces for a potential new album next year.
But I think this show - on Sunday, October 18, at Downstage Theatre - could be a real piece of magic; something very special indeed. I'd thoroughly recommend it.
Anyone got tickets already? Planning to get along? Any fans of the album out there? Or anyone not so keen? Share your thoughts. And who would you like to see, from New Zealand, using this space/place to explore some musical ideas?
Follow NZStuffBlogs on Twitter and get fast updates on all Stuff's blogs.
Sponsored links
Newest First
Oldest First
Agree, stunning album! Looking forward to this show.
OPPS!!!! BLOG = FAIL perchance! ;-)
sorry Simon! hehe!
I wouldn't call it a fail. I read it. I enjoyed it. I just didn't have anything worthwile to add. Some would say that doesn't usually stop me adding comments. I am still waiting for a winner of the Beatles contest though...lol. And yes, I do realise that pestering about it is decreasing my chances of actually winning!
not so keen but go kiwi, recession most likely, people passing the buck, i'm good at standing outside venues, geting inspired and going home to make ma own music to stay sane, i've always thought martin phillips and bic runga shud hook up but no cigar, yet.
He's from New Zealand? Had no idea.
& somewhere there is an elevator with the doors wedged open’
Nope
No
Nyet
Martin Phillips/ Rob Mayes/ Graeme Downs/ Mark Bell/Trevor Reekie/Andrew Fagan/Andrew Brough/David Mulchaey/Tim Mahon/Nigel Russell/Don Mcglashan
I LOVE his score to The Cult! So SPOOKY!
He's legendary, right.. Ah, if only he were playing down in Christchurch too.. May have to move to Welly someday..
The show, last night, was AMAZING. People seemed to love it. I was blown away. Best thing I've seen in a long time. I hope this show gets to go to other places in NZ - and I hope some of the International Arts Festival peeps were taking notes. Well done to Downstage for scoring such a class act and well done to Rhian and all the stage-guests for being such a class act.
Hundreds of unfit teachers in class
Volunteers fight fires in a truck that won't stop
Brown's tearful Whitney tribute
Kiwi jailed in Australia wins appeal
Daily trivia quiz: February 13
Prison staff use work internet to view porn
Wellington woman found safe in motel
Bus survivor praises her heroic rescuers
Hundreds of unfit teachers in class
Volunteers fight fires in a truck that won't stop
Tainui leader ousted from board
Kiwis finish on a high with Davis Cup wins
Ethnic rights advice stuns communities
Prime Minister John Key wins hearts if not minds
Have your view on terminal move
Welly whiz-kid sees hi-tech future for education
Bought my ticket as soon as it was announced, I'm in the front row I think! Absolutely stunning album, some of the most moving pieces of music I have heard in a long time. Can't wait to hear what it sounds like live.