Wellington Sea Shanty Society Announce EP Launch Tour + Share Single 'A Sailor Needs a Boat'

Barnacle-encrusted salty sea dogs rejoice, as the Wellington Sea Shanty Society are embarking on a nationwide launch tour for their forthcoming Sea Shanties of the 70’s, 80’s & Today! EP, dropping anchor on 30th August. The rousing and surprisingly moving first release from the nautical collective since 2018's Ahoy!, lead single 'A Sailor Needs A Boat ' makes a winking analogy between the requirements of traditional seafaring folk and pressing needs of today's Aotearoa landlubbers. Whilst membership remains semi-veiled behind a fogbank of aliases — Vorn dont Le Père Était Marin, Lake Davineer, Nick De La Mer, Thomas Un Copa and backing singers The Salty Wailers — this listener notes vocals for the new song bear an uncanny resemblance to Lake South's familiar lilt. Don't miss the WSSS on the following dates right up until early summer, promising "'Best dressed' prizes! Nautical games! Singalong shanties!"...

Wellington Sea Shanty Society EP Release Tour!

Thursday 27th October - Calliope Sea Scout Hall, Devonport, Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland*
Friday 28th October - Fridge & Flagon, Maungawhau, Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland
Saturday 29th October - The Rising Tide, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga
Friday 11th November - Breaker Bay Hall, Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington, feat. The Salty Wailers*
Saturday 12th November - Breaker Bay Hall, Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington, feat. The Salty Wailers*
Saturday 12th November - Breaker Bay Hall, Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington (matinee kids show)*
Thursday 24th November - 5tapped, Waiharakeke/Blenheim
Friday 25th November - Nelson Boat Club, Whakatū/Nelson*
Saturday 26th November - Christchurch Yacht Club, Ōtautahi*
Sunday 27th November - Moutere Inn, Upper Moutere
Friday 2nd December - Porridge Watson, Whanganui*
Saturday 3rd December - Paekakariki Memorial Hall, Kāpiti*

Tickets available HERE via UTR

Press release:

They say some things never leave us. They’re always there, just out of reach, between sleep and dreams. Between the foreshore and seabed. The plaintive moan of a bachelor seal. The treasure we never found. The life we never led.

But fear not sweet hearties – the Wellington Sea Shanty Society (WSSS) are back from exile with a swag bag of forgotten futures! Secrets given up by the sea in the form of ‘Sea Shanties of the 70’s, 80’s & Today!’ (their new EP).

Each song a mysterious oyster lovingly shucked by the likes of Vorn dont Le Père Était Marin, Lake Davineer, Nick De La Mer, Thomas Un Copa and long time shanty foes ‘The Salty Wailers’. (Quarter) mastering by Mike Gibson.

These new shanties were committed to memory (human and digital) in the earthquake-prone bowels of an empty Wellington office block. A windswept shelf overlooking a dark harbour – what better place to prize joy from salty oblivion?

To celebrate the WSSS are inviting you to do just that - by bringing their lively singalong show to a whare or flophouse near you. There will also be a treasure hunt for handmade bounty by WSSS alumni and jewel-smith Su Keates, as well as a map by cartographer extraordinaire Sam Van Der Weerden.

If you’re from Te Whanganui-a-Tara, and you know your imaginary history, you’ll know the show at Breaker Bay Hall represents a return to hallowed ground. But then again, every show will be more thrilling than a gallon of grog and seeing the captain walk the plank!