THE AFTER - 'Doesn't Matter' NZ Summer Tour
Valhalla, Wellington
With special guests
DAVE AND THE DIRTY HUMANS
WHA CUP
THE NIGHT
and more to be announced.
THE AFTER release their new single ‘Doesn’t Matter’ later this month, and embark on a massive New Zealand summer tour, visiting 13 centres over the North and South Islands, winding up at Lucfest in Te Awamutu on Saturday February 19th.
Supported by the Aotearoa Touring Programme.
New Zealand Music Industry stalwart Andrew Featherstone has recorded and promoted hundreds of artists over the past 30 years with his studio and record label Intergalactic Records, the home of 8 Foot Sativa and early Jason Kerrison recordings amongst others. For the past 26 years he has also run the Battle of the Bands National Championship, and in 2004 launched the World Battle of the Bands competition in Hong Kong, Los Angeles, New Zealand and Australia; later expanding in, Singapore, Manila, New York, Beijing and Taipei.
What some may not know about Featherstone is that he’s a songwriter and bass player in his own right, one who’s had his fair share of close calls in the success stakes. Featherstone has performed alongside No Doubt (US), Collective Soul (US), Silverchair (AUS), Everclear (US), but his most recent project The After is creating the most interest in his career to date.
The After’s charismatic vocalist Blu, from Wellington, first crossed paths with Featherstone when his band ELK won BOTB 2019. Feathersone describes the moment: When I saw Blu performing for the first time, all I could think was, this guy is the real deal…kinda Robert Plant meets Michael Hutchence.
Guitarist Vance Manu from Invercargill was also a previous BOTB finalist in two bands from Southland, Carcosa and Soul Manor. Featherstone says, ‘We gave Vance the best guitarist award at the 2015 BOTB’s, shared with Brendon Thomas (who features on The After's debut single 'Clear to Me’).
Keyboardist extraordinaire Bruce Madden from Auckland joined on Hammond organ for the last batch of 2021 tour dates and the newest addition - on drums - is Gareth Scott of The Tuesdays, The Bobby Holidays and Landslide, completing the 2022 touring line-up.
Featherstone says of ‘Doesn’t Matter’, The song is about letting go of the old ways, not dwelling on the past and complaining about inevitable changes but embracing the future and evolving as a species. It’s good to be reminded of a longer-term view of humanity and life - Earth’s species survival instincts drive us beyond any overthinking that we’re perhaps indulging in too much of late…
‘Doesn’t Matter’ was recorded in August (the day Auckland went into its most recent lockdown) at The Lab, with Olly Harmer engineering and drumming on the initial tracks. Recording continued at Featherstone’s Titirangi studio The Manor, plus in Nelson and Invercargill due to band members’ locations. Grammy-nominated, ARIA-winning UK producer Steve James mixed the single at Red Engine Studios in Brisbane, with Matt Gray performing mastering duties.
The After are embarking on an extensive nationwide NZ summer tour to showcase the new single, spanning 13 centres across the North and South Islands from 14th January to 19th February 2022.
During 2020/21, The After was lucky enough to be able to tour New Zealand whilst most of the global live music industry was at a stand-still. The Asia and Australia legs of the Asia Pacific Tour are being rescheduled to later in 2022.
THE AFTER – ‘DOESN’T MATTER’ SINGLE RELEASE NZ SUMMER TOUR
Presented by Juice TV
FRI JAN 14 - BUTTER FACTORY, WHĀNGAREI
SAT JAN 15 - LEIGH SAWMILL, LEIGH
SUN JAN 16 - THE RIVERHEAD, RIVERHEAD
THU JAN 20 - VALHALLA, WELLINGTON
FRI JAN 21 - A ROLLING STONE, CHRISTCHURCH
SAT JAN 22 - 5 TAPPED, BLENHEIM
SATJAN 22 - LIQUID, NELSON
FRI FEB 11 - THE BOILER ROOM, WHAKATANE
SAT FEB 12 - BAY ROCK FESTIVAL, TAURANGA
- with Stellar*, Zed, HLAH, Push Push and more
SAT FEB 12 - THE CABANA, NAPIER *Sold Out
- opening for Black Smoke Trigger
THU FEB 17 - ANTHOLOGY LOUNGE, AUCKLAND
FRI FEB 18 - BIDDY MULLIGAN’S, HAMILTON
SAT FEB 19 - LUCFEST, TE AWAMUTU
The After’s debut single ‘Clear To Me, released in January 2021, received airplay on over 500 radio stations worldwide, featuring in (and topping) several radio charts in the US, Europe and NZ. The video was directed by Craig Walsh (creative director of The Pink Floyd Experience).
THE AFTER effect...... so far
‘Clear to Me’ Quick Facts:
Just announced: #6 on the top 150 of 2021 on The Generator
Played on over 500 stations worldwide
#1 Bandwagon Network Sept & Oct (US)
#1 Most Played Rock Track JuiceTV 2021 (NZ)
#1 Bayrock 30 Rock Countdown (NZ)
#2 KAOS FM Winter Countdown (NZ)
#16 USTOP20 Countdown Show (US)
#17 World Indie Charts (US)
#17 Euro Charts (Eur)
Airplay on 16 NZ stations
Released worldwide by MCA/Universal
Produced by Steve James - Sex Pistols, Cold Chisel, Thin Lizzy, The Jam, Weta, Screaming Jets
Eddie Rayner (Split Enz/Crowded House/Forenzics) on Keys
