Auckland,New Zealand-based songwriter Simon Comber released his third collection of songs, a 5-track E.P entitled The Right to Talk to Strangers, on June 10, 2011 through his own label imprint Carpathian Records.
Initially pre-released as a 'name your price' digital download to coincide with a tour of America throughout June and July, Comber is now going on the road to promote the E.P in New Zealand.
In collaboration with engineer and co-producer Tom Healey (Die!Die!Die!, The Pop Strangers) and drummer Stu Harwood (Tono & the Finance Company), the E.P was recorded in Auckland over several months in 2010 and '11.
The Right to Talk to Strangers may be Comber's most diverse set of songs yet. Contained within its twenty colourful minutes you'll find synth-adorned electric folk, bona fide jangle pop, e-bow driven instrumental rock, lilting acoustic balladry, and a cover version of fellow Auckland resident G. Frenzy's wonderfully poignant Tonight the Kids Sleep in the Car .
2011 has seen Comber taking his music across the world in more ways than one. In March an interactive iPhone app video was launched for New Day, the E.P's opening track. Produced by Auckland-based frenchman Laurent Antonczak, and turned into an app for iPhone and iPad by serbian transmedia company White Rabbit Works, the New Day Interactive app is free to download via iTunes.
In June Comber embarked on his first American tour, including many shows with U.S indie rock golden girl Barbara Manning. The tour
took him up the west coast all the way from L.A to Olympia, and then across to the east coast to play in New York, Philadelphia and Nashville.
The Right to Talk to Strangers is available now as a limited edition compact disc at shows and selected retail outlets, and as a name your price digital download via Comber's bandcamp site: http://simoncomber.bandcamp.com .
