Cute music seems to be the hip thing at present and there seems to be no shortage of it around us. Three albums have been released recently that are quite nice, and I feel the need to write about their nice-ness. All boxes are ticked so lovers of this genre can pop these CD’s/LP’s along side their Camera Obscura and/or Belle and Sebastian (etc) collections.

Please note: To prevent oneself from turning into a giant pink fluffy bunny rabbit with a tendency to make daisy chains and frolic in fields of green, listening to something hardcore in between these is recommended.

FIRST…

The dynamic duo known to us as the Brunettes return with yet another twee-pop classic, ‘Paper Dolls’. Pleasant poppy tunes and cutesy lyrics combine to create a fun and somewhat humorous album. The Brunettes have provided us with an accessible and yet original soundtrack which will choice-up our summer. Check out the video for their first single ‘Red Roller Skates’ on http://www.myspace.com/thebrunettes. Also if you attend Animal Collective at the Power Station on the 8th of December, you’ll be able to see the Brunettes as the support act. Wouldn’t that be nice.

Posted by claire in Uncategorized

Like a butterfly from the chrysalis, Auckland is dragging itself out into the warmer weather and finding it has beautiful wings. Wings straight from New York, no less.

Ok well maybe the metaphor is best used to describe the activities of the town as a whole, but seriously there's a pop up (another one) coming with cool clothes from NY designers and stuff! Hurrah! More here

Posted by claire in Fashion

Tags: butterflies, new york

Unbirthdays are real at Cassette. Every day is a tea party. This week is going to be merrier than usual though with a stellar line up of entertainment, bands, DJs and repeated toastings as the bar officially turns one. Of particular note is this Thursday's afternoon/evening celebration that sees the likes of The Brunettes, Leda Petit Burlesque,  MC Mikey, Tourettes and the Shoe String Quartet (among others) get together, to party and celebrate a year of partying.

Entry is free all night but get in early. More here

Posted by claire in Uncategorized

See-Saw 3.0, the third instalment of the new monthly artists program at Cassette 9, brings you fresh collaborative mural, painterly and print work from renowned aerosol artists 2tone and Peap Tarr. The soundtrack for the opening reception will be provided by selectors Scratch 22 and Jelly Fish who has recently returned from a stint in Melbourne.

Works will be available for sale for the duration of the exhibition from the opening on Wednesday 02.12.09 at 6pm. This is may be your last chance to see Peap’s wall styles before he leaves us to reside in Thailand.

2tone has been painting with aerosol for over 10 years, though he works in several other mediums including digital and ink. His style is usually linear, use of both vibrant and muted colours with hard black line. He also uses alternative illustrative techniques and painting methods not usually adopted by graffiti artists. 2tone has ventured and painted in several countries including England, Australia and Turkey in recent years. He has also had several shows in New Zealand and Australia with most notably the 'Nightbreed,' show last year in Auckland with Peap.'

Posted by claire in Art

Tags: 2tone, Cassette9, Peap Tarr, See, SeeSaw

So many things on this weekend! Kicking off your Saturday early (at 12 noon) the CROSS STREET STUDIO MARKETS are set to rock your socks off. Did we know there were even markets on at Cross Street? Will there be litres and litres of free vodka like normal events there? Can you drink it before elevenses? Who knows!? But we're willing to find out. Everything your alt-bro hipster friends and you want and so much more. Probably vegan cupcakes and second hand sun dresses and cute boys in sunglasses sporting hangovers. Get in queue to inspect the goods

Posted by claire in Uncategorized

Twenty years since the Berlin Wall fell and I'm still on this side of the earth waiting for the revolution. Luckily this weekend the good people at Becks are putting on a night where I'll try to recreate the energy and dynamism of Berlin (then and now) in the comfort of my own home-town. Certainly the Berlin Sessions Wellington & Auckland will be something of a novelty with Euro stars Âme and Benji Frohlich topping a bucket of local talent. Should be a top night. Make sure you're there. Wir sind alle Berliners

Posted by claire in Uncategorized

HEY YOU! Are you an artist? Would you like to reach a new audience? See Saw at Cassette Nine has just had someone pull out of the December placement which is set to open on December the 2nd. They need someone like you to show their work.

On offer is your own exhibition all promotion and invites catered for. All you have to do is produce the work. Details here.

Posted by claire in Art

Tags: artists needed