Bill Direen / Bilders Touring New Album 'Neverlasting' in November

A major figure in Aotearoa's sonic landscape, from pioneering recordings in the '70s with the Vacuum (anticipating the sound of local underground music for decades to come) to landmark works as Bilders / Builders / his own name and more, Bill Direen's forthcoming album Neverlasting will be out this October, to be followed by the five date Empathetic Dustbin tour. Touted as "quite simply the strongest Bilders album ever" — a formidably high bar — lead singles 'Neverlasting' and 'Stancing' justify this hype with an unearthly majesty possessed by Direen and no one else, reuniting the same core Bilders team who brought you 2024's Dustbin of Empathy.

Those who get in their orders in early HERE can nab a limited edition bundle of the new record on vinyl LP and Direen's book Apropos, the Otago-based songwriter, poet and novelist's "homage to performers, recording artists and road managers, small town geniuses and radio hosts", including more than seventy photographs (also available at gigs while stocks last). Look forward to "tunes from Neverlasting and acclaimed Dustbin of Empathy albums" plus special guests joining in on Bilders classics, when Direen with band perform nationwide this November...

"We are the Neverlasting renter-squatters of Earth exhausted".

Bilders Empathetic Dustbin Tour

Tuesday 4th November - Audio Foundation, Auckland*
Wednesday 5th November - Cabana, Napier*
Thursday 6th November - Pyramid Club, Wellington
Friday 7th November - Lyttelton Coffee Company, Lyttelton*
Saturday 8th November - Pearl Diver, Dunedin*

*Tickets on sale HERE via UTR

Press release:

Bilders tour New Zealand in November. The band will visit old haunts, as they renew friendships and celebrate the new album. Expect tunes from Neverlasting and acclaimed Dustbin of Empathy albums. Surprise guests will drop in during the tour to join in classic Bilders songs.

Bilders are led by poet-songwriter and novelist Bill Direen. Magnet Magazine described Direen 'standing with Chris Knox in the vanguard of the country’s non-conformist rock pantheon; he’s hung in there through some cruel ups and downs.' Graham Reid called Dustbin of Empathy gently beautiful, left-field pop songs, another excellent, entrancing and slightly chilling Direen album.

A small booklet (GY15-1) called 'Apropos', with lots of never-before seen photos and short writings by Bill about music will be on sale at the gigs as long as stocks last.

Don’t miss this rare chance to catch Bilders 2025. Special guest Steve Cournane (drums).