Tourist
About Tourist from Auckland
Tourist arise from Auckland New Zealand. Playing distinctively original songs, the band has defined a brave new sound unique for this part of the world. Their rare ability to intertwine infectious melodic subtleties and stadium-ready anthems demonstrate a group well beyond their years. The quartet featuring Peter J Rudd (vocals, guitar) Rob Ranger (bass, vocals) Scott Gamble (guitar) and Simon de Vere (drums), have their debut album entitled
‘Minutes Last For Years’. This record will become the
hypnotic soundtrack people can’t shake from their minds.
The critically acclaimed album was recorded at Stir Studios, in the cold wet streets of Cardiff, Wales and at York Street Studios, amongst the warm wet streets of Auckland,
New Zealand. 'Minutes Last For Years’ was produced by award winning UK producer Zealand Greg Haver who has worked with international artists such as Manic Street Preachers, Catatonia, Super Furry Animals, Mel C and New Zealand acts The Feelers and Pluto. The resulting sound of this recording is one that is intense and exciting, yet at the same time openly accessible and honest. Peter J Rudd’s unmistakable voice, infectious melodies and thoughtful lyrics atop surging guitars and raunchy, pulsating rhythm section that together forge a masterfully structured debut album of colossal rock songs brimming with classic britpop style and distinct indie flare. Peter Holmstedt from the Entertainment Network based in Sweden that represents major record labels throughout Scandinavia described the new record as “Very, strong songwriting, remarkable performance, truly inventive production and a very healthy attitude! Simply put; one of the best discs in the genre I've heard in a long, long time!”
'Minutes Last For Years' was recorded on Stir studio's classic Trident TSM40 mixing desk that has history coursing through its wood and wires. Together with its sister desk at Rockfield studios in Wales the Trident has been used to record some amazing records from elite rock and pop artists in the UK including Oasis, Black Sabbath, Catatonia, The Charlatans, The Cult, The Damned, Happy Mondays, Manic Street Preachers, Portishead, Queen, Rush, Super Furry Animals, Stereophonics and The Stone Roses. Parts of Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' were recorded through the Trident desk. New Zealand Musician magazine recently reviewing the new album stated “Tourist formed in late 2000 and while not yet a household name, seem poised on the brink of Indie-rock greatness. The impressive debut album a fresh collection of British tinged rock songs."
HISTORY
Tourist was established in bass player Rob Ranger’s flat in late 2000 with co-founder and vocalist/songwriter Peter J Rudd after they had returned from explorations overseas. Tourist solidified their current four piece line up and in June 2002 independently released their limited edition CD EP 'Beginning of the World.' Featuring five tracks the debut EP received recognition both locally and overseas with radio stations both in New Zealand and the UK playing various songs. One of the songs from this EP titled 'Picture Perfect' was licensed for the last four years for the soundtrack to an extensive Television New Zealand and radio advertisement campaign.
In October 2004 Tourist released their 2nd independent EP titled after the lead single 'Do You Feel The Cold' Real Groove Magazine reviewing the new release described the sophomore EP as “a strong, self-released cluster of tracks displaying the musical abilities of the band and their natural ear for melody and composition.” The first single was recorded with assistance from NZ On Air and produced by Greg Haver. The song was featured on NZ On Air Kiwi Hit Disc 66, a rare feat for an unsigned New Zealand artist and received significant airplay on both commercial and student radio networks around the country, including being play-listed on Kiwi FM (formerly Channel Z) since May 2004 and hitting #1 on Auckland student radio station 95bFM for 4 weeks in October the same year. The single was also play listed on commercial radio station The Rock and a music video screened extensively on nationwide music TV programmes. The band performed the song live on Top of The Pops in November 2004.
The band was included on an emerging artist compilation CD for the inaugural MUSEXPO conference held in Los Angeles in May 2005. Subsequently, the nominated track 'Do You Feel The Cold' received airplay on a number of radio stations across North America including KDLD Los Angeles, KEDJ Phoenix, KNRK Portland, WEQX Manchester, VT/Albany, NY and KROG Medford/Ashland. Since this US radio airplay the song went onto making the Finals for the International Song writing Competition (ISC) in 2005 from over 15,000 entries from around the world.
The 2nd single from the EP called “This Town” has also received considerable airplay, particularly on 95bFM and other bNet radio stations with a video released to the wider radio/television networks late 2004. The 3rd single off the sophomore EP titled “Island Song” was written for a good friend of the band who was tragically killed in a road accident while overseas and offers the suggestion that while Kiwis may venture off overseas to travel the world, the country they were born in will always be the home in their hearts. Shot on classic Super 8 film footage (transferred to DV Cam by Peter Jackson's Film Unit in Wellington) the music video conjures up images of New Zealand's beautiful, yet confrontational landscape.
Tourist are regular performers around New Zealand and have played internationally alongside artists such as Snow Patrol, Evermore, Goldenhorse, Greg Johnson, Pluto, Opshop, Gramsci, Zillionaire, Goodnight Nurse, 48 May, The Heavy Jones Trio and The Fanatics to name a few.
The band has a number of plans this year following the release of their debut full length studio album 'Minutes Last For Years', touring Australasia and overseas. Keep a lookout for Tourist and purchase the critically acclaimed album.
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