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NEW OXO CUBANS CD .. "LIVE AT THE ISIS LOUNGE"
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
On Thursday the 18th of March at The Isis Lounge, Doug, Craig & Marcel will be joined by special guest keyboard whizz Neville Copland to celebrate the beginning of the band's eighteenth year and to record tracks for a new Oxo “live” CD.
With the aim of capturing the vibe of band and audience at a typical Oxo Isis Lounge gig, friends, fans and music lovers of every persuasion are invited along to sing, shout, carouse and add their own "sparkle" to the album.
Driving the mixing desk and making sure no note goes astray will be the University of Otago's Professional Practice Fellow of Music Technology Rob Falconer.
Well known in the South as the drummer for “King” Leo LaDell’s Growling Dogs and the driving force behind Operation Rolling Thunder, Rob is highly regarded as an engineer with a deft touch and will bring a new dynamic to the Oxo Cuban sound.
The session begins at 8.30pm with doors and bar open from 6pm.
So if you would like to be part of a “live” album we would love to see ya there …
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OXOS AND THE NZ SONGWRITERS AWARDS
Monday, March 08, 2010
On the 20th of March, Oxos Craig & John will travel to Gore to judge the entries for the 2010 New Zealand Songwriters Awards.
Joining them on the judging panel will be singer songwriter Jackie Bristow & theatrical producer Trudy Lowe.
Held on the 3rd of June at the Longford Function Centre, the Awards are sponsored by the Mataura Licensing Trust & administered by The New Zealand Songwriters Trust.
Established in 2001 by fellow Oxos Jeff Rea, Mike Hood, Ross McNab & Gore businessman Bernard McKone, the Awards attract hundreds of songwriters from New Zealand & around the world and continue to grow in popularity and scope.
This year’s special guest at the annual seminar is renowned American songwriter Pat Pattison (www.patpattison.com)
Pat is a Professor at the Berklee College of Music, where he teaches Lyric Writing and Poetry.
Several of his students have won Grammys, including John Mayer and Gillian Welch.
In addition to his three books, Writing Better Lyrics, The Essential Guide to Lyric Form and Structure, and The Essential Guide to Rhyming, Pat has developed three online lyric writing courses, available through Berklee's Online School. He has written over 30 articles for Home & Studio Recording Magazine and is a performing songwriter.
He presents clinics across the US, Canada, Australia and the UK and during the afternoon of June 3rd, will give a songwriting seminar at the Longford.
Later that evening is the Songwriters Concert and Award ceremony under the musical direction of Oxo Cuban co founder Doug and featuring members of the wider Oxo musical family, bassist John Dodd & guitarist John Meddings.
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KEN GILLIES .. Sound Engineer .. R.I.P.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
It was with great sadness that we received the news of the passing in Sydney of old friend and longtime Australian roadie Ken Gillies.
Ken began his sound engineering career in Perth in 1979 with bass player Chris Hudson, singer Myles Madigan and Oxos Huddy, Robert & Craig in the band “Mighty Little”.
He continued to work with Huddy, Chris & Craig in the "Survivors" and "Dirty Comix" before eventually relocating to Sydney with other expat Dunedin musos.
A few days ago he was admitted to hospital and placed on life support but passed away early this evening.
… Godspeed Ken … till we all meet again …
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A NEW OXO CUBAN: Dave Picard
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sitting in with the band at The Isis Lounge for the past couple of weeks has been the well respected Dunedin guitarist & vocalist Dave Picard.
Long regarded as one of the city’s top players, Dave is joining the Oxos to fill the lead & rhythm guitar role left vacant in the Big Band by Jacqui’s departure to the Wellington School of Music.
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OXO NEWS UPDATE: Jan/Feb
Thursday, February 18, 2010
After playing their previous four New Years Eve concerts to record crowds in Dunedin's Octagon, the Oxo Cubans rocked in 2010 from the main stage at Earnslaw Park on Queenstown's waterfront.
Joining Craig, Doug and Marcel were guitarists Dave Harrison & Jacqui Nyman-Ambrose, keyboard whizz Nev 'The Rev' Copland, legendary bassist Rob Burns, dynamic new Oxo vocalist Janine Weatherly and flying in from Melbourne, expat Oxo sound engineer Simon Glozier.
After a warm up set from Queenstown's Medicine Men, the Oxos took the stage and had the 10,000 plus audience singing along from the first chorus.
The new lead vocal team of Dave and Janine instantly clicked with the huge crowd who enthusiastically showed their appreciation after each song.
Among the many highlights of the evening was 18 year old guitarist/vocalist Jacqui's centre stage rendition of the John Mayer classic 'Waiting on the World to change', gaining her an instant fan club from the thousands of young revellers packed up against the stage punter barrier.
With the veteran Oxo rhythm section of Craig, Marcel and Rob keeping their foot on the gas throughout the two hour show, the multiple keyboards of Doug and Nev 'The Rev' soared out over the waterfront and added the magic & sparkle.
As per usual, out in the arena slaving away over a hot mixing desk was Simon, bringing it all together and delivering an outstanding night for both audience and band.
The Oxos would like to thank the local team of Nicole (EveNZ Wanaka) and Tom Lynch (TomTom Productions) and Alan, Dave, Ben and the crew from Bounce Audio Christchurch for their hard work and assistance throughout the event.
While in Queenstown the band was able to catch up with original drummer Ivan Hamilton, now resident in the resort when he is not circling the globe as a resident drummer on cruise ships.
New Years Day saw most of the band head back to Dunedin, Craig & Doug for a show at the Isis Lounge with drummer Huddy and the rest of the band for a well deserved break.
A week later the core Oxo band of Marcel, Doug & Craig returned to the Queenstown Lakes District for a private show at The Winehouse Function & Event Centre at the A J Hackett Bungee Jump facility in the Kawarau Gorge.
It was another great night with a packed dancefloor and an appreciative crowd.
The remainder of January and February has seen the band in Dunedin at its regular Thursday & Friday shows at The Isis Lounge.
A highlight of this time was the 'Bon Voyage Jacqui' show on the 11th of February at Isis when Oxos past & present gathered for her last gig before she moved to the North Island to begin 3 years of tuition at the Wellington School of Music.
Over the past 3 years Jacqui has developed into a great all-round musician and an excellent guitarist while becoming an integral part of the larger Oxo shows.
'We're gonna miss ya Jac' :)
February also saw the return to Dunedin and The Isis Lounge of gifted singer songwriter and Junior Oxo, Kristen Macdonald.
The younger sister of Oxo Cuban & Sony recording artist Annah Mac, Kristen's songs are world class and it can only be a matter of time before she is signed by a label and joins her big sister on the world stage.
In addition to their regular 'Live @ The Isis Lounge' shows, the core group of Craig, Doug & Marcel are well into planning for a mid year theatre tour after recording a live CD.
Interesting gigs coming up include an early morning 'breakfast' performance in the Dunedin Town Hall to fundraise for Haitian Disaster Relief, a show at The Dunedin Art Gallery and a performance for the Otago Community Hospice.
'Watch this space' :)
See you at The Isis Lounge
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