Listen To Michael James Keane's New Album 'Wandering Bull'

Setting the stage with darkly filmic lead singles ‘Inside’, ‘Ceramic Tide’ and ‘Midnight Scene’, Te Whanganui-a-Tara based songwriter Michael James Keane (So Laid Back Country China) unveils today his second album Wandering Bull via the Meow label. Possessor of one of the most startling voices in Aotearoa music (rivalling The Terminals' Stephen Cogle in dramatic power), Keane's long player was written while working as a trainee stonemason in the Wairarapa. In a similar vein to his 2018 solo debut The Cascade, the new record lyrically reflects on intense personal experience, yet somehow feels more uplifting and even majestic in its lush instrumentation, like heavy clouds of gloom pierced by celestial rays of light — developed in collaboration with James Goldsmith, who recorded, mixed and produced Wandering Bull at the Surgery. Featuring contributions from Harriet Ferry (also of So Laid Back Country China), Julia Catherine-Parr (Black City Lights), Callum Gay and Daniel Cuzens (both of Spook the Horses), Keane opened up about the experiences that helped shape Wandering Bull...

"The words in the songs came mostly from short pieces of writing I had compiled over a year or so. It was a rough year by my standards; getting into trouble with my mental health and drinking, living a bit recklessly... I know The Wandering Bull is me, and I forgive him."

‘Wandering Bull’ Album Release Parties
Friday 4th March - Meow, Wellington
Saturday 19th March - Whammy Bar, Auckland
Door sales only

'Wandering Bull' is out now on major streaming services via the Meow label.