ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day is, to me, one of the most important national holidays that I get in New Zealand.

It makes me think of war - something that very few of my generation has experienced and something that I  think should never be taken lightly. There is a danger in this modern world to think of war and violence as having some kind of surreal existence - especially people who live here in New Zealand.

But ANZAC Day reminds me that most of the world deals with those things every day and humankind has dealt with for 99.9% of its existence.

I am one of the luckiest people in history - to have been born in this time and in this place.

So, thank you to those people who helped bring that about.

Every time ANZAC Day rolls around I play John Williamson's version of 'The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" - it's an incredibly moving song. And though it talks about Australia's place in the First World War, it could easily be about NZ.

So this year I thought I'd pop down my own version to throw up some tribute - I hope you enjoy.

Dead Confederate

I've harped on about these guys before but I somehow missed the fact that they released an EP last year and have just released another album.

The EP, Peyote People, a more blues-themed record than their previous more grunge-inspired albums - especially Wrecking Ball. It's much less angsty and more listenable - I mean, you don't necessarily have to pissed at something to listen to this one. It's awesome - if you like Alberta Cross, who I've mentioned before on here, and not liked the previous Dead Confederate album, then try this EP out.

And now, the new album - In The Marrow - has JUST been released this month. AND...for whatever reason it didn't come as good as the EP did on first listen. I'll give it a few more goes - but for now, just check out the EP and run with that before you head the way of the album.

On TV...sheeeeeit.

Ok, if you've been following me over the past six months you may now be getting the idea that I'm making a habit of throwing myself a lot of curveballs.

The results of one of these in particular are now out.

I first told you about this late last year - I would be hosting a TV series of sorts that would be broadcast on all Air New Zealand planes with in-seat entertainment. Well, now it's live - after, it seems, some nervous vetting by Air NZ and the businesses involved - and so, if you're travelling internationally you can check me out making a fool of myself around NZ. You just need to find the series somewhere in the travel section I believe - it's called BGTV.

You can also view edited versions of the clips online - so check them out, but please watch them with the knowledge that this was my very first TV effort...with no training, script, etc... so go easy on me!

Here's me getting boozed on the job.

At the centre of the world...

At the centre of the world

There's a simple little phrase

You always talk to strangers

And entertain the fools

At the centre of the world

There's a cunning little phrase

"A ghost you cannot walk through,

Is a ghost that's not for sale"

At the centre of the world

There's a letter on your back

It grows each day with interest

And no soul collects the tax

At the centre of the world

It's a fight to stand alone

But for some it's cotton candy

In a fairground gypsy store

At the centre of the world

There's a pretty little girl

The strangers always gander

While the fools, they sing and burn.

At the centre of the world.

At the centre of the world.

Keep on Movin'

Firstly - I'd just like to say thanks heaps to all those who contributed to my Demo Wars over the past five weeks. It's been a great experiment and one that's generated a bunch of ideas and more knowledge on my songs and how they affect you guys.

NOW, I'd like to challenge you to another way of contributing and being a part of my musical journey.

The challenge is to create the artwork for the first single I'll release under my own name.

It's a challenge that involves only one stipulation - it must include your version, in any context or size, of the image below.

Basically, the one I like the best will be released as the digital artwork for the single and I'll even give the winner a sneak peak of the song itself before it's heard by the general public.

If this takes your fancy, please email me at info@jeremyredmore.com for more information and other, more boring, requirements.

Demo Wars - Week Five (The Final Battle...for now)

Well, after four weeks and eight songs battling for your favour and feedback it's now time for the final battle. At least for now.

I've got a rather busy schedule over the next month so it's going to be harder to monitor this - BUT, there may be future battles if my demos require separation closer to my recording sessions.

It's been a pretty weird experiment compared to how an artist traditionally goes about "marketing" themselves - instead of putting my best foot forward, I'm instead hiding you from the best in order to weed out the worst of the worst. But I've been extremely intrigued by the process nonetheless and it's definitely been a positive for me in terms of how I see my songs.

Last week was again a close fight but "I'll Be With You" came through. Your feedback was that it's definitely too long though, and I agree, so that'll be put through the studio guillotine at some point for sure.

This week I'm revealing two songs that are unrelated in style and vibe - the battle this time, for myself, is to work out if either are worth developing. They were both spontaneously written and literally appeared from thin air...so they're hard to judge for me. I look forward to hearing what you think.

Exhibit A


Exhibit B

Demo Wars - Week Four (The Battle of You)

Well, it was close for most of the week, but it looks like Blitzed has taken out the title in the Battle of the Sun...I posted a picture of a can of DB Bitter on my HUGELY-followed Instagram account which may or may not have swung the balance.

THIS WEEK!

We're taking it down a little for some slow tunes. These two are very similar in vibe and I could never use both on the same record unless some major changes were made to one. But, I'd be happy to use just one at this point...so, again, I need your help deciding which is the luckiest.

No great stories behind these ones - they're love songs.

Thanks so much for your support with this little project so far my people, it's very much appreciated.

Exhibit A


Exhibit B