Andrew London Trio with Kirsten London and Wayne Mason
‘Let’s Talk About Me’, ‘I Hugged My Mate’, ‘Middle Aged Man in Lycra’ - The titles say it all. Andrew London's quirky and whimsical songs reflect mainstream culture with gentle irreverence, and playfully lampoon many of society's obsessions and taboos. Themes run the gamut from rugby fans, driving habits, youth culture and weddings to male insecurities, technophobia, household appliances, pretentious socialites, and various other issues of concern to the average middle-aged, middle-class Antipodean baby-boomer.
Delivery is wrapped in an easy-going and accessible 1940s-era ‘Hot Club Swing’ package, with occasional sallies into folk, blues and jazz; and the trio’s spontaneous banter transforms the show into more of an interactive cabaret experience for both performers and audience.
Recent reviewers of London’s lyrical skills have made comparisons to John Clarke (who confessed to being a fan), Tim Minchin, Flanders and Swann, Tom Lehrer...even Noel Coward, and after a recent appearance live on NZ’s National Radio, one commentator remarked 'The Andrew London Trio are Flight of the Conchords for Rest Homes!’.
According to Downbeat USA, his 2004 album ‘Toasted’ , ‘lured listeners in with eccentric edges and devilishly clever wordplay’. A decade later the same publication reported that his 2013 album ‘Ladies a Plate’ ‘reaches high levels of poise and affability while imparting witty lyrics that would draw quiet laughs of agreement from Mose Allison and Dave Frishberg’.
His songs have been included in a national year 13 English syllabus, feature films (including the recent award-winning biopic ‘No Ordinary Sheila’) and European CD compilations. His trio has headlined music festivals in Australia, New Zealand and Norfolk island, and is the only Kiwi act in recent times to have performed in Saudi Arabia, where such activity is officially illegal. A book of 75 song titles has just been published under the title ‘let’s Talk About Me’, one of london’s most-requested songs. A stage musical with the same title is currently in the writing stage.
London handles guitar and most vocal duties, accompanied by Kirsten London on bass. National icon Wayne Mason, founder member of such legendary bands as the Fourmyula, Rockinghorse and the Warratahs, joins on piano; and provides rollicking ‘barrellhouse’ piano reminiscent of the boogie and stride styles that we associate with New Orleans.
