The Eastern
‘Hope and Wire’
Out March 5th
They’re are a string band that roars like a punk band, that swings like a gospel band, that drinks like a country band, that works like a bar band, that hopes like folk singers, and sings love songs like union songs, and writes union songs like love songs, and wants to slow dance and stand on tables, all at the same time and this march see’s the release of Lytteltons own The Eastern’s third long player. Entitled ‘Hope and Wire’ it’s a double album with twenty new songs on it. Folly probably but also ambitious in the Eastern’s own quietly industrious way. Recorded in the now ghostly suburb of Dallington post quake, in a red zoned house left by the family who’d had for thirty years, the record is informed by all the wonderful neighbours and strangers they’ve meet in the past very trying year.
They’re a contrary mob so in a time where the album concept is choking and spluttering and rapidly becoming less and less relevant, they said ‘Bugger it, double the disc!’. They defiantly a group who’ll always back the slowest horse, but to paraphrase the late Willie Dixon they’re built for comfort never speed. That said though their work ethic remains their proudest achievement, two albums, three e.p.’s and close to two hundred shows a year every year in every corner of these isles they remain committed to meeting and sharing beers and stories with their old friends and new ones wherever they land.
They’ve toured with Steve Earle, the Old Crow Medicine Show and opened for lots of talented folks from Fleetwood Mac to Jimmy Barnes to Upper Hutt Posse, Trinity Roots and The Warratahs.
They’re are a string band that roars like a punk band, that swings like a gospel band, that drinks like a country band, that works like a bar band, that hopes like folk singers, and sings love songs like union songs, and writes union songs like love songs, and wants to slow dance and stand on tables, all at the same time.
With over fifty dates booked in NZ and Australia over the next two and half months and the understanding the band will be on tour all year this looks like it shall be The Easterns most adventurous year yet.
Hope and Wire is out in all good community record stores and online from March 5th. It’s released by rough peel records and distributed by the always kind ‘Rhythymethod’ distribution. The Eastern will be on tour forever.
The Eastern ‘Hope and Wire’ Album Release shows
March 2nd and 3rd at The Lyttleton Club
Support from Lindon Puffin and Marlin Williams.
Tickets on sale from Undertheradar.co.nz
