Crowded House - Formative Years
Woodface - 30th anniversary
It was this week 30 years ago that the Crowded House album Woodface was released. I’m not one for anniversaries generally, but the release of Woodface was significant for a few reasons.
We worked over the course of a year, firstly at A&M studios in L.A., then at brother Tim’s brand new home studio in Melbourne, then back to L.A. to finish. It was an epic saga with no small amount of struggle, but eventually led to one of our most successful and beloved albums. During the course of the recording, Tim joined the band, and the songs that he and I wrote together became some of the key tracks on the record.
I looked back through some home video footage and found these pictures which are sweet and humorous and a reminder that there was a lot of joy in the process.
Neil
Visit the Woodface page to read the lyrics, watch the videos, hear the Woodface Deluxe Edition and play the Making of Woodface audio documentary.
Listen to the Fangradio Woodface special from March this year here.
Fane Flaws
RIP Fane Flaws . One of NZ’s true originals , writer of beautiful songs , maker of wondrous images, a good friend to many, he put joy into the world. Farewell Fane.
Neil
Dreamers Are Waiting - out now
It’s finally come around… Dreamers need wait no more. The album is out now and I hope you will have a chance to luxuriate in a quiet place with a record player or a set of headphones to listen front to back to these songs. I’m really proud of this record and, fresh from a joyous round of shows, extremely thrilled to have this Crowded House lineup in action. We have lots more to do, feel a strong urge to be on stage in front of you and become an even better band.
There is a live streaming concert filmed in Auckland coming up June 12 and I’m really excited to have you watch it because I think the exuberance and vitality and love is on full display.
In the meantime, we will have a listening party today at 5pm NZ time via multiple formats, including Fangradio… stand by for word.
Love
Neil… standing under a tear in the fabric of time
To The Island - Tame Impala remix
With all the world upended and nothing in its right place, we became curious to hear how our favourite contemporary musicians and record makers might reimagine a Crowded House song. I emailed our version of To The Island to Kevin Parker (Tame Impala) with an invitation to take it apart and reassemble in his own unique way. Happily, he really liked the song and it was an absolute delight to hear what he made from it, an exotic fantasy I would call it.
Neil
Download / stream To The Island remix HERE
Visualiser directed by Human Person. Animation by Alexis Jamet.
The To The Island Tame Impala remix is accompanied by the visualiser above and will also be released on 7” vinyl with a previously unreleased remix of the track from Unknown Mortal Orchestra, via the Crowded House official store – pre-order HERE.
Fangradio - Together Alone
We’ll be exploring Together Alone tomorrow, same time, with Mitchell and Nick sharing their thoughts about the songs, the producer, the possibilities, what was, what might have been… mmm… intriguing!!
Neil
TOGETHER ALONE
Thursday 1 April 2021 at 11am (NZ time)
Convert to your time zone here.
Listen live at Fangradio.com or on Mixlr.
Catch the podcasts here.
Fangradio - Intriguer
Hi all,
Tomorrow* I will be bringing you a Fangradio special featuring the album Intriguer which, although largely overlooked, contained some songs that I am well fond of. I have pre played these songs as, due to rescheduled concerts in NZ, I will be on my way to Palmerston North when Fangradio is scheduled. I will have someone push play here at the studio and I’ll phone in my commentary from the van… could be a new dimension.
The shows in NZ have been joyful and lively, we can’t wait to bring it to you wherever you are.
In the meantime, hope you can join me tomorrow.
Neil
INTRIGUER
Thursday 25 March 2021 at 11am (NZ time)
Convert to your time zone here.
Listen live at Fangradio.com or on Mixlr.
Catch the podcasts here.
Note that Intriguer is now scheduled on the date originally designated for Together Alone. The Together Alone special will now play on April 1st, NZ time.
To The Island (Eddie & Elsie Edition)
A friend of Nick’s, brilliant Irish filmmaker Myles O'Reilly, has made a beautiful short film with our new song To The Island as a soundtrack. It introduces an inspiring couple, lifelong partners Eddie and Elsie, with wise words about love, nature and dreams. It’s so hopeful and tender. We should take their words and their world to heart.
RIP Michael Gudinski
Very sad to hear of Michael Gudinski’s passing. He was a titan of Australian music with an energy and commitment that was exhilarating to watch. So many pivotal and historic moments of Australian music rotated around his passions and strong will to succeed. He was one of a kind, a motivator and a creator.
Our love and sympathy go out to the Gudinski Family, Sue, Kate and Matt.