Steve Abel

+

Steve Abel with his elegiac ballads and

rolling 6/8 rhythms has been variously described, but no more eloquently than

by Graham Reid as “a refined writer whose lyrics have a bone-bare quality – the

sound of someone writing and singing from a place where there is no guile, just

hard truth and clear eyes.”

Abel’s band (and often the live line-up) The Chrysalids, donned by the NZ

Herald as a “kiwi supergroup”, are: Geoff Maddock, (Goldenhorse and Bressa Creeting

Cake): dreamy and soaring electric guitar. Gareth Thomas (Goodshirt): plays

accordion like an ambient synthesizer, and roomy piano.  Pluto's front man Milan Borich (Bic

Runga band) plays drums with a fine stomp and Mike Hall (Brunettes, Dimmer)

deftly intones on the double bass.

The acclaimed debut album Little Death, was captured, mixed and produced by

London-based engineer Nick Abbott at Montage Studios in Grey Lynn, Auckland.

Most tracks had only vocal harmonies added after the initial takes. Kirsten Morrell

(Goldenhorse) is just one of the other familiar voices featured on Little

Death, lending her presence to the heart-rending Duet.  Abel was described as “an

extraordinarily good song writer,” when Little Death was named Alternatui Album

of the Year in 2006.

Abel’s second album FLAX HAPPY (recorded by

Dunedin luminary Dale Cotton), hit the airwaves in May 2008 to glowing reviews

both locally and in the UK. Labeled "sublime" by the Dominion Post

and “Impressive simple beauty” by the UK’s Organ Magazine, it was home to the

ironic suicide ballad “Heart of Misery” which won The Berlin Saddest Song in

the World Competition in 2009.

Abel has been seen accompanied on stage by

the likes of Jolie Holland, Delaney Davidson, Flip Grater and The Sami Sisters, and supported Niko Case, Mark Eitzel, The Bats, Vietnam War, Kristin Hersch and others

from Europe to New York and home in New Zealand.  Find where you can catch him live right here on Under the

Radar.

• Double Ya D 7" vinyl release GIG w/ Little Bark & Holy Anus
• The Tin Soldiers
• Mighty Mighty Axemen
• Rackets and Beach Pigs Full Mango NZ Tour
• Lion Eyes Ep Release Wblack City Lights And Sum Tram Tigers