Amplifier

01.03.10
[press release]

The lovely fellows at VUWSA and VBC 88.3FM bring to you an Orientation like no other for 2010. Strap in folks for what is one of the best lineups this city has seen. For VUWSA Orientation 2010, VUWSA and the VBC 88.3FM are proud to bring you:

STEVE WRIGLEY, BEN HURLEY AND JAMIE BOWEN

Past O-week comedic favourites Steve Wrigley and Ben Hurley will return to Wellington, the birthplace of their careers for Orientation 2010. The duo have exploded after cleaning up in the 2008 Billy T awards, and their fresh, self-deprecating, and sarcastic humour has been lapped by audience and critics around the world. Joining them will be the exciting up-and-coming Jaimie Bowen.

Steve Wrigley is arguably the biggest comedic talent in New Zealand today. As well as blanketing New Zealand with his live tour, Wrigley has taken his live set all over the world, drawing in audiences with his "master storytelling" and "unsurpassed" improvisation skills.
Now based in London, Ben Hurley has been described as one of the most exciting acts on the UK comedy circuit". In 2004 he won a Billy T Award in for Outstanding Comedic Potential and a Fred Dagg in 2008 as New Zealand Comedian of the Year. Most recently Hurley has brought the sass to popular TV3 primetime shows Seven Days and @Seven, but is now switching the set for the stage for Orientation 2010.

Jaimie Bowen will be joining the line-up with his vivacious and unique comedy. Provocative and forthright, Bowen is known to stir his audiences into appreciative awe with his nteractive and improvisational style.

Steve Wrigley, Ben Hurley and Jaimie Bowen share one the busiest schedules in showbiz, so catch them while they're hot at VUWSA Orientation 2010.

Union Hall
Tuesday March 2
STUDENTS $10/ PUBLIC $15
6PM

THE CHILLS
With support from SECRET KNIVES and JOE BLOSSOM 

Flying Nun legends The Chills are dropping smack-bang into the middle of O-week. Joining them are the freshest young talents Wellington has to offer, Secret Knives and Joe Blossom.

Notorious, legendary, seminal: call them what you will, they're The Chills. Pivotal in the emergence of the world famous "Dunedin sound", the band's smooth, precarious music has established them as international cult icons. Although best known for singles like Heavenly Pop Hit and Pink Frost, The Chills are remembered for their lingering presenc. Now in 2010 The Chills will paint the San Francisco Bathhouse with New Zealand music history, reaching deep into their discography, unleashing new classics in-the-making, and tearing the odd shit up along the way.

Supporting are energetic youngsters Secret Knives. These boys have solidified themselves as the most exciting potential in Wellington with the release of their debut 2008 EP The Wolves, in conjunction with a great live set. With an air of Over the Atlantic and a nod to The Album Leaf, Secret Knives are "smooth and sombre" with "chiming guitars, electronic textures and angsty, but not overwrought, vocals".

Joe Blossom is making a name for himself as the one to watch for 2010. Earnest but playful at the keys, Blossom's infectiously catchy melodies are charmingly reminiscent of indie pop-stars Clap Your Hands Say Yeah or The Decemberists. Blossom puts on a tight, delightful and at times theatrical set.

Students $20 public $30
Tuesday March 2
San Francisco Bath House
8pm

ANTHONY McCALL - DRAWING WITH LIGHT
Late night at the gallery w/ KazaamBLAM!!

Free Entry
Late night at the gallery--extension of opening hours to 9pm.
Exhibition ends 25 April

Anthony McCall has carved a unique position in contemporary art by bridging the gaps between the cinematic, the sculptural and the pictorial with his extraordinary 'solid light films' that manifest as immersive installations made by drawing in real space with projected light. The Adam Art Gallery has invited the artist to use its striking architecture to present his work for the first time in New Zealand.
Playing live at 7:30 will be the chilling tones of Kazaamblam, warming a mysterious atmosphere for the exhibition with their out-of-space sound.

LOCATION: Adam Art Gallery
DATE: Wednesday 3 March
FREE ENTRY
OPEN UNTIL 9PM
Free Entry
Late night at the gallery--extension of opening hours to 9pm.
Exhibition ends 25 April

HAWNAY TROOF
With support from SETS and 47 DIAMANTES

it is a great pleasure to announce Hawnay Troof's 3rd visit to our shores. As Peaches says, Hawnay Troof is "the real deal, punk rocker". And such a nice young man too.

Think of a cross between punk rock, hip hop, electro, pop, and add a ton of sweat, jump up-able good times and you're part way there. With three Albums, Get Up! Resolution Love, Dollar and Deed, Islands Of Ayle, and a remix album Remix Projection, a ton of singles and some EPs thrown in, added constant touring, and you have one impressive performer, artist, and party starter.

Last shows with legendary acts like The Gossip, Lightening Bolt, No Age, Mika Miko, and recent tours with Peaches, have seen Hawnay Troof become one of the most important and productive indie acts in recent years.

Supporting are Wellington troops Sets and 47 Diamantes. Deciding that 2010 is a good time to get ambitious, Sets is writing an entirely new album with every performance, meaning that his act will be totally new material. Rambunctious and raucous, the awakening noise-rock of Sets is surely, surely not to be missed. 47 Diamantes are exciting dance-floors across Wellington, but gigs are rare so don't miss out!

DATE: Wednesday March 3 2010
LOCATION : Mighty Mighty
TICKET PRICES $10 STUDENTS/$15 PUBLIC
9PM

 STREET CHANT + NEVERNUDES

Street Chant and Nevernudes are playing a one off, totally free, all ages (with valid proof of tertiary student ID) show at Mount Street Bar, Friday March 5th. Holy Whoa!

Street Chant are a kick arse, totally sweet 3 piece, who will rule you all. I'm not kidding. Formed in Auckland in 2007, they have been burning red hot as of late. What with their inclusion in the Laneways line up, Black Lips support, Australian tour, and a support slot for The Dead Weather on their New Zealand and Australia tour.

Nevernudes have been around since 2008, and have since gained an impressive following, in Auckland, and throughout New Zealand. Their blend of energetic punk, and post punk has garnered a lot of attention and seen them play at Campus A Low Hum 2010, and finish a recent New Zealand tour.

Kicking off at 5:30pm, VUWSA are providing a shuttle running from the design school campus at 4:30 and 5:00. All you need to bring along is your ID.

Wrist bands will be allocated to you lucky people old enough to drink in a licensed premise. Those with wrist bands will also receive the student price for tickets to the VBC's 3rd Birthday (featuring The Mint Chicks, Die! Die! Die!, and Bang! Bang! Eche!) at San Francisco Bath House later on. Sweet deal.
 
DATE: Friday March 5 2010
LOCATION: THE MOUNT STREET BAR - CAMPUS
FREE ENTRY
5:30PM

MINT CHICKS , DIE! DIE! DIE! + BANG BANG ECHE!

Holy whoa, has it been 3 years already?! That's right, It's the VBC's 3rd birthday! And to celebrate we're putting on a real doozy of a show. We are pleased to announce The Mint Chicks, Die! Die! Die!, and Bang Bang Eche! At San Francisco Bathhouse on March 5th 2010. .

The Mint Chicks have been rather busy, what with relocating to Portland in 2007, losing their bass player, finding their bass player, releasing an album Screens in 2009, and a brand spanking new EP Bad Buzz coming out in February.

Known for their amazing live shows, that put most bands to shame,and some astonishingly good releases including like the Octagon Octagon Octagon, and Anti Tiger E.P.s, Their Albums F*ck The Golden Youth, and Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No! and Screens are all classics.

Die! Die! Die! Have just recorded album number three, it's not out yet, but it is going to blow your puny earthling minds. Recorded at the legendary Chicks Hotels, and produced by Nick Roughan from The Skeptics, Die! Die! Die! never ever seem to stop. Their set at Campus A Low Hum was the stand out. 2007 saw them release Promises Promises to critical acclaim.

Bang! Bang! Eche! Are a bunch of young punks from Christchurch, formed by T'Nealle Worsley in 2007. Their brand of dance punk has seen them garner attention by college radio in the states, play the CMJ festival in New York, and they're about to do some more touring overseas, including the UK and the US. With two E.P.s out, Bang! Bang! Eche!, and Sonic Death Cunttt, you should expect big things from them.
 
DATE: 5 March 2010
LOCATION: SFBH
TICKET PRICES $15 STUDENTS/$20 PUBLIC
9PM

KID KINOBI

It's been over a decade since Jesse Desenberg first began DJing as Kid Kinobi. A quick look at his rap sheet shows he was voted Number 1 DJ in the Technics InTheMix Top 50 three years in a row; he chalked up so many mix CDs for Ministry of Sound Australia special sessions series for him (he's still the only Australian DJ to have a compilation named after him), and he received numerous Australian Dance Music Awards for Australian DJ of the Year, NSW DJ of the Year and Remix of the Year. Now the Kid is coming to our neck of the woods for Orientation. It's sure to be a barn-stomping good time.

DATE: Friday 05 March 2010
LOCATION: SANDWICHES
PRICE $10 STUDENTS/$15 PUBLIC
MIDNIGHT

LADI 6 + DJ Parks with Julien Dyne

VUWSA and the San Francisco Bath House present Ladi6 & DJ Parks, with support from Julien Dyne, in their first headlining live performance in Wellington since July last year.

A year so on from the release of her gold selling debut album Time is Not Much (awarded best Urban/Hip-Hop album at The 2009 New Zealand Music Awards) 2010 finds Ladi6 elevating from national icon to international success story.

Known for her sultry soul vocals, socially-aware lyrics and crunchy reggae, jazz and hip-hop referencing backing beats, Ladi6 is one of the most fully formed live artists to emerge locally over the last decade.

Based in Auckland, Opensouls drummer Julien Dyne is also a prodigious solo-artist operating within the wonky, beat-driven landscape of future soul. After recently releasing his debut album Pins & Digits on prestigious English record label BBE, Dyne sits on the verge of international underground acclaim.

Don't miss this essential show - one night only at The San Francisco Bath House
 
With support from JULIEN DYNE
DATE: Saturday 6 March 2010
LOCATION: SFBH
TICKET PRICES $15 STUDENTS/$20 PUBLIC
8PM

BARBECUE ON THE PA

The annual Ngai Tauira Students Orientation Week BBQ in association with VUWSA and The VBC 88.3 FM. Come along for a chilled afternoon BBQ on Sunday 7th of March at the Victoria University Marae. The event features the local talent of Olmecha Supreme Sound System, Ruffneck Souljah and King Homeboy, Hawke I & Undercover.

Olmecha Supreme is lead by captain Imon Starr and features the vocal percussion of Aotearoa's Beatbox Champ King Homeboy, the red hot flavour of Cuban reggaeton artist Jinetero Emcee, talented young blood Myele 'Manzilla' Manzanza on drums and seasoned vet Crete Haami on bass.

Olmecha Supreme delivers a dramatic, high-energy and mesmerizing live performance, transforming even the shyest of peoples into dancing machines, fusing the traditional Afro-rhythms of roots, reggae, punk rock, hip hop, soul, funk and afro-beat.
King Homeboy is currently the world record holder for the longest beat box as well as the Guinness world record for the same feat of beat box skill.

Alcohol free event.
 
DATE: Sunday 7 March 2010
LOCATION: THE VICTORIA UNIVERSITY MARAE
FREE ENTRY
NOON

THE VBC 88.3FM + SFBH PRESENT: THE QUIZ

Hey you..Yeah you, smart-ass. Think you know everything, huh? Want to test this out and win a bunch of swag? Everbody likes swag, right? Then round up a posse of 4 and head down to:

THE QUIZ - ORIENTATION SPECIAL and RELAUNCH
Presented by the VUWSA, VBC 88.3FM and SFBH.
A music, film and pop culture quiz night.
Fortnightly Wednesday nights from 6 - 8PM.
With Mc's Jasper Lambe & Joe Blossom.

Win a whole crapload of prizes including Gig tickets, SFBH bar tabs, CD's and movie tickets.

If your team comes regularly and regularly kicks butt you can win even MORE booty every couple of months and there are also spot prizes up for grabs
LOCATION SFBH
FREE ENTRY
6PM

DEERHOOF
With support from GRAYSON GILMOUR and SETH FRIGHTENING

VUWSA, VBC 88.3FM and the SFBH is proud to announce the return of VBC Wednesdays, and Orientation 2010 with DEERHOOF w/ GRAYSON GILMOUR and SETH FRIGHTENING
 
Having toured the world extensively throughout 2009, acclaimed indie quartet Deerhoof will be crashing the O-Week party in March with polyphonic rhythms, crashing guitars and adorable melodies. Since their formation in 1994, Deerhoof have redefined Original. Their infectious blend of off-kilter pop, pulverizing noise rock, and innocent melodic cheer has restlessly evolved with each album, demolishing genre boundaries, and winning almost complete and undisputed critical acclaim. Deerhoof are known for their eccentric originality, harmoniously balanced with the alluring and unique tone of Japanese vocalist Satomi Matsuzaki. Dramatic, electric and colourful; live, Deerhoof woo their audiences into a hypnotic yet frantic state, a certain one-of-a-kind spectacle for VUWSA Orientation 2010. 
 
A Grayson Gilmour gig is a rare gem, but this doesn't prevent one of Wellington's most prolific and creative artists from delivering a live spectacle to rival any singer-songwriter in New Zealand. Gilmour has been working tirelessly over the last two years, developing new material. In O-Week the polyphonic frenzy of Deerhoof will be accompanied by the merciful but sinister crooning of Grayson Gilmour. 
 
Accompanying is the warm sonic tapestry of Seth Frightening. A folk act unique and rich with sentiment, Seth Frightening can deservedly be compared to the talents of Elliot Smith, The Mountain Goats, and Bon Iver.

This is an evening not to be missed.

DATE: 10 March 2010
LOCATION: SFBH
TICKET PRICES 10/20
8PM

LADYHAWKE (DJ SET)
with FRASE + GUESTS

VUWSA and VBC 88.3FM present LADYHAWKE (DJ SET) with supporting act FRASE
 
Dust off your denim jackets kids, kiwi pop-idol Ladyhawke is putting down the guitar, whipping out her record collection and bringing the ruckus this Orientation.
 
From humble beginnings in the Wairarapa town of Masterton Ladyhawke, aka Pip Brown, has rocketed to international fame with her catchy retro-tinged dance pop. Having won the adoration of a herd of New Zealand loyalists Ladyhawke has now made her mark on the world following the release of her breakthrough self-titled album. In 2009 the superstar won two ARIAs, a Brit Nomination for International Solo Artist, and bagged six New Zealand Music Awards. And she has certainly earned them. As well as playing almost every festival in Europe, Brown has dusted most of North America with her retrospective blend of synth rock, opening for Ida Maria, kicking some shit with Peaches along the way. 
 
Ladyhawke will be swinging by the San Fran Bathhouse this O-week detonating the dance floor with what is sure to be an eclectic collection of hip-hop, rock, cool 80s classics and a range of her influences.. 
 
Heating up the room will be Frase (formerly of Frase + Bri) with his gleeful synth beats, the perfect starter for what is sure to be a frenzied night of partying. 
 
Catch LADYHAWKE (DJ SET) and FRASE 
San Francisco Bathhouse, March 12th
 
Students $20/Public $25
DATE: 12 March 2010
LOCATION: SFBH
9PM

VICTORIA STUDENT MEDIA LECTURE SERIES

Victoria Student Media presents

'Hold on to the Rail'
A discussion with Roger Shepherd.

Tuesday March 2nd, 4pm, at the Adam Art Gallery, and broadcast LIVE on The VBC 88.3FM.

"Flying Nun is the very definition of DIY music as far as New Zealand is concerned, spawning or aiding (in one way or another) all your favourite luminaries, from The Clean to Chris Knox to The Mint Chicks. While it may have had a quiet noughties period, any self-respecting music enthusiast has been spewing with joy over the fact that Flying Nun has recently been bought back from Warner (a fucking unheard of occurrence, might I add) by none other than the label's original founder and owner, Roger Shepherd.

As part of Flying Nun 2.0, he is coming to Victoria University to discuss the rebirth of the iconic label"
-Salient

also

TALK WITH AMANDA PALMER TBA

Tickets available from www.dazzletickets.co.nz (0508 DAZZLE) and Real Groovy 
 
For one easy booking fee of $3.50 (for both students and regular folk) you can load up all your Orientation events on one card. Cards are available online, at the VUWSA office on campus and the Dazzle ticket booth in the Quad during Orientation week.