OK. After last week's celebratory indulgence, let's get back to business.

I've got all sorts here: international gigs, local gigs, videos, dance, art – let's dive in...

Just as an opening update, all those who've been waiting for tour dates from English singer Frank Turner are
still waiting.

Having announced November shows months back they promptly disappeared and have become something of
a mystery.

Literally as I'm writing this column, there has been an update from Frank who finished a Facebook post with this mysterious message: 'And if you're in, uh, a place that's down and under... brace yourself.”

Other exciting November news announced today is that psychedelic rock legends The Brian Jonestown Massacre are returning to New Zealand.

The band, led by the uniquely unpredictable and creative force that is Anton Newcombe, has a loyal following here, partly because of Newcombe's repeated championing of the Flying Nun sound.

They sprang to something like fame – or notoriety – after the brilliant rock documentary, Dig! (winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival), which captured the rivalry between them and the Dandy Warhols.

Over its course The Brian Jonestown Massacre appeared to disintegrate; one gig ended in an on-stage punch-up.

Just a blip

But that was a mere blip. This is a band who have released some 20 studio albums, 14 EPs, five live albums, six compilation albums and 22 singles.

During the peak of Covid, Newcombe wrote and recorded a song a day for 70 days straight; for all his eccentricities he really is extraordinary.

Anyway, they'll be at Auckland's Powerstation on November 9 with their latest album 'The Future Is Your Past”.

Looking locally there's a bunch of stuff coming up in July. Next Friday (July 14) Katikati Folk Club is in action again, this time hosting an international high-flyer, multi-award winning Kiwi songwriter Jenny Mitchell.

Jenny's latest album, Tug Of War, is getting a lot of attention, including a four-star review in Rolling Stone, and includes 'Trouble Finds a Girl”, a collaboration with Tami Neilson which won the 2022 APRA Best Country Song. It's a 7.30pm concert at Katikati's Art's Junction, $20/members, $25/casuals.

That same night there's a feast of modern Indian music at the Jam Factory as multi-national five-piece Shades of Shakti offer their fusion of classical Indian music and jazz, with intricate melodies on violin and guitar and rhythms of tabla and percussion, along with the sarangi, an ancient bowed instrument. Tickets are $25 on-line ($30 on the door); show at 7pm.

Dance party

A couple of days later (July 16), there's an R18 dance party down at the old Cargo Shed, kicking off at 2pm, called Elektrophoria Shedroom. Good to see someone using the space creatively. As you might have noticed, I love dance parties. Not specifically for the dancing or partying but more because of their imaginative promotional material.

In this instance every advertising sentence is pure gold. Let me just quote this bit: 'Within the Shedroom, interactive installations invite you to explore the depths of your own emotions and connections. Step into immersive spaces where you can delve into the joys and sorrows of human existence, guided by the cosmic stars that reflect our innermost feelings.”

Tickets are a slightly unusual $56.10.

There are a couple of new songs on-line from local bands. Crooked Finger's latest is 'Paradise Is Free” written by singer Sandra Muir, recorded at Mount Maunganui's 11b Studio. It's light and poppy, the video featuring an impressive film debut from Sandra's cat. Meanwhile, blues 'n' roots band Kokomo have temporarily abandoned the blues for something resembling modern folk music, with new song 'If This Is All” on YouTube now and a full EP out everywhere next weekend.

And just a little non-musical heads-up: you've probably heard that the Tauranga Art Gallery is preparing for redevelopment in October, moving the entrance and more. In the meantime, they will be opening a new multi-purpose 'Pop-Up Space” at 42-44 Devonport Rd. The first exhibition there opens this weekend (July 8) with works from Peata Larkin and Alexis Neal.

Over the next months there'll be more exhibitions, artist talks, workshops and all sorts.