Edward Castelow + O & The Mo Announce Mini-Tour

Best described in the tour info I received this morning as "two of our nation's most charming acts", Edward Castelow (Dictaphone Blues) and O & The Mo are heading on a supercharged double header tour at the end of July. These darlings of folk, pop and psych aren't doing the boring old 'one band and then the next band' rigmarole, no — they'll be melding sets and musical minds with stripped back versions of their tunes, taking turns performing and delving into what it all means. Both acts have released debut albums in the last year, so there'll be plenty to unpack and discover, from Castelow's first foray into releasing music under his own name with Mirth and collaborating with the likes of Anna Coddington and Julia Deans, to O & The Mo relocating from Pōneke to Nelson amidst recording and releasing their very first album. These three Songwriters Soirée events will be something really special — don't miss out, nab your tickets below...

Songwriters Soirée featuring Edward Castelow and O & The Mo

Friday 23rd July - Fairfield House, Nelson
Friday 30th July - The Backroom, Thames
Saturday 31st July - Frieda Margolis, Auckland

Tickets available HERE via UTR

O & The Mo and the Moon have a fun spooky dance time in the video for 'Pistachio Moon'...

One of Edward Castelow's hits from his Dictaphone Blues days, here's 'Her Heart Breaks Like A Wave' (FYI the song begins after three minutes of bodysurfing commentary)...

Press release:

As the winter kicks into gear well proper this July, two of our nation's most charming acts are teaming up for a cute run of shows to warm the cockles of your hearts in the form of the Songwriters Soirèe. Bask in the candle-lit vibrancy and indie folk stylings of renowned Tāmaki Makaurau sweetheart Edward Castelow and Nelson/Põneke dreamboats O & The Mo when they merge for a special set of intimate performances. The Songwriters Soirèe will see both acts in stripped back mode, sharing the performance space in tandem and entwining their sets song for song while discussing themes and offering insight into the material or it’s inspiration along the way.

Edward Castelow (of Dictaphone Blues) released his debut album Mirth in February 2021. The album features a cast of NZ musicians, including Anna Coddington, Julia Deans & Ben Sinclair (The Beths), and is a tender collection of personal tales and reflections delivered through sultry baritones, touches of folk strumming paired with a slight psychedelic undercurrent. Castelow’s sound is both unique and vibrant, whilst his latest songwriting takes a turn toward more personal subjects such as life and death, love and loss and the mirth within them all.

Originally hailing from Wellington, O & The Mo now keep their fingers on the music pulse from their base in Sunny Nelson. In the wake of global lockdowns, lessons and learnings, the duo released their debut album In Transit in November 2020. An album which reflects on the challenge and beauty of learning to stay still. In Transit is as much of a political commentary as it is an exploration of love and life. With a few unreleased songs up their sleeves, O & The Mo will enchant you with their stripped back romantic melodies and unique baritone guitar.

Be sure to wander in from the cold and into the Songwriters Soirèe for a special dose of winter comfort guaranteed to fill up your cup.