Nicholas Joseph Shares Debut Album 'Sailing'

One half of Kirikiriroa ambient folk voyagers Big Sigh, songwriter / multi-instrumentalist Nicholas Joseph stretches out in noisier directions on his debut album Sailing, launched today digitally and on limited cream / ivory coloured cassette via Sonorous Circle. Informed by experiences living abroad in Shanghai and then back home in rural Waipā, Sailing was recorded with drummer Arden Tanner Dempsey and fellow multi-talent De Stevens over just three days at Bagnall Hill Studio, in Te Pahu.

Not at all a yacht rock record (maybe if you squint?), Nicholas Joseph revealed to 95bFM interviewer Beth Torrance Sailing was initially conceived as his contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand's rich tradition of "cool New Zealand heavy guitar" albums. A diverse and layered nine track suite, Nicholas Joseph's melodic touch on Sailing feels in simpatico with the carefully constructed, on-a-dime avant-rock / post-punk of such local contemporaries as Office Dog, Chances Are and / or perhaps Salt Water Criminals, as well as the introspective psych-soul of Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Listen up and snag a tape on the door at this week's release shows, in Kirikiriroa and Tauranga...

"It was a funny situation, because we basically met De for the first time and jumped straight into three really long and intense days at the studio. It was really fun to just dive headfirst into making a record within this pretty limited window of time.

Listening back to the album now, I feel like it captures some of the upheaval I was going through, both geographically and in my personal life. It's cool to have these little snapshots from what now feels like a lifetime ago."

Nicholas Joseph

Friday 18th September - Last Place, Hamilton w/ Moppy, Ballygewl*
Saturday 19th September - Okahukura Studio, Tauranga
Thursday 1st October - Whammy Bar, Auckland w/ Taste Memory*
Sunday 13th December - MOON, Wellington*

*Tickets on sale HERE via UTR