Monkey Records is proud to present “Too Busy Dreamin”, the debut album from a major new song-writing talent, Chris Hurn. To promote the release, Chris will be undertaking a 14-date tour around New Zealand in March and early April.
Chris Hurn is a twenty-one year old folk-pop singer/songwriter from Lower Hutt, New Zealand. After playing in various local bands, including Play it Strange 2007 winners “The Lunch Box Boys”, a 60’s style indie-pop band, he discovered a love for folk music and decided to go solo in late 2009.
Inspired by the likes of Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Nick Drake and Leonard Cohen he began to write a collection of songs that would soon become his first album. Although heavily influenced by his folk heroes, he draws upon a wide range of genres and styles of music. As well as having a soft spot for modern pop and rock, Chris has spent a considerable amount of time soaking up 60s pop groups, notably The Mamas and the Papas, The Beatles and the Kinks.
Coming from a multi-instrumental background, Chris commenced his musical endeavours at a young age with the piano and a cheap plastic recorder. His first album is heavily based around the acoustic guitar but whistles, clicks, claps, harmonica and harmonies also play a big part in the sound. Astonishingly, Chris plays all the instruments on his debut as well as mixing and producing it himself. His lyrics reveal a world-wise maturity far beyond his years and coupled with his knack for writing catchy melodies, he seems sure to secure himself a place amongst New Zealand’s fine new generation of singer/songwriters such as Liam Finn, James Milne and Connan Mockasin.
“Too Busy Dreamin” was recorded in 2010 in his Lower Hutt home studio, and mastered by Dave Cooley (Serge Gainsbourg, Polyphonic Spree, Opensouls) in LA. The suitably summery music video for the first single form the album “Whatcha Got” has also been released recently.
When not playing folk music, Chris works as a composer writing orchestral based scores for video games and films.
TOUR DATES
Sat 5 March – Meow, Wellington
Wed 9 March - Le Café, Picton
Thu 10 March - Fairfield House, Nelson
Fri 11 March - Hot Mamas, Motueka
Sat 12 March – Franks, Greymouth
Sun 13 March - Cooks Saddle Café, Fox Glacier
Thu 17 March - Lake Hawea Motor Inn. Lake Hawea
Fri 18 March - Dux de Lux, Queenstown
Wed 23 March - Chicks Hotel, Port Chalmers
Thu 24 March - Level One, Kelvin Hotel, Invercargill
Fri 25 March - The Grosvenor, Timaru
Sun 27 March (3pm) - Dharma Bums Club, Wairau Valley, Blenheim
Sat 2 April - Wine Cellar, Auckland
