Altmusic Presents: Bill Orcutt

The Audio Foundation's  2010 Altmusic Program kicks off tonight in Auckland with the first of four international noise artists and experimental musicians who will be touring NZ. Tonight it's Bill Orcutt who was selected by the Christchurch chapter and will be playing all the main centres throughout the week. We asked the CHCH chapter why they selected Orcutt for this years program and here's what Peter Stapleton had to say:

"We were interested in bringing Bill Orcutt to play in New Zealand after hearing his stunning LP "A New Way to Pay Old Debts" and being big fans of his earlier work with Miami-based free rock group Harry Pussy. They were part of a very influential US noise rock scene in the 1990s, with releases on independent labels such as Siltbreeze and Chocolate Monk and a common approach, if not sound, with New Zealand groups such as the Dead C. Harry Pussy were notable for the sheer velocity of their assault with the screamed vocals of drummer Adris Hoyos and Bill's totally sonic guitar. They folded in the late-1990s and nothing more was heard of them until his unexpected return in 2009 with a 7" single and an LP of acoustic blues-based improvisations, more reminiscent of the likes of Derek Bailey and John Fahey but still with the same unmatched intensity of his guitaring with Harry Pussy."

Click HERE to see watch a video of Orcutt in action.

Catch Bill Orcutt in a city near you this week:

Auckland: Wednesday May 19 - w/ Brian and Maryrose Crook , The High Seas , Beresford St
Wellington: Thursday May 20 - Happy
Dunedin: Friday May 21 - w / Gate & Eye @ Chicks Hotel , Port Chalmers
Christchurch: Saturday May 22 - w/ White Saucer & Bruce Russell @ HSP , 84 Lichfield Street

Tickets for all shows available from Undertheradar - click HERE to buy.

The next artist to hit NZ will be Japan's Ruins Alone - click HERE for more info on him and the rest of the artists coming this year.