Fabulous Diamonds (Melbourne) Saturday December 11th

 Another show we are totes thrilled to be presenting with HSP.

HSP is pleased to present the NZ tour of processional dub and crypt punk diviners,
FABULOUS DIAMONDS from Melbourne, Australia. Following their US excursion alongside Pigeons and Wet Hair, and their sophomore LP on Siltbreeze (Times New Viking, Sic Alps, US Girls), the duo’s heavenly garage anthems, liminal haunt funk, and transfixing, psychedelic mantras are poised to captivate audiences around the country in mid-December.

Likened to a lysergic union of Lee Perry, Terry Riley, Suicide, Silver Apples and Young Marble Giants, what Pitchfork calls Fabulous Diamonds’ ‘part pagan sleepover incantation’ and ‘lush and trippy’ minimalism is a UFO potion of radiant synth arpeggia, lock-groove futurist-Baroque riffage, celestial chant and post-disco percussive clatter that has a disquieting, modal beauty and entrancing, cosmic unease. This is the duo’s first NZ visit.


Orchestra of Spheres are keepers of the psychedelic flame, entrancing crowds with a diverse array of instrumentation (including drums, biscuit tin guitar, gamelan, keyboards, and bass organ!), hypnotic grooves and cosmic atmospheres. Their live show has been known to make the most rhythmically retarded shake their money maker, get on the good foot and leapfrog into space. NZ Musician magazine (Aug. 2010) called their album Nonagonic Now "free improv that you can get down and party to." Fellow Wellingtonians Diana Rozz have supported the likes of Deerhoof and Die! Die! Die!, partied with Dan Deacon, and bring a refreshingly entertaining approach to the live stage along with some seriously great tunes. Check out their live album recorded at Happy here: http://dianarozz.bandcamp.com/


Wellington Saturday 11 December, Happy with Diana Rozz and Orchestra of Spheres. 
$14 presales from UTR

MONOPOLY CHILD & DOLPHINS INTO THE FUTURE

Another show we are very proud to be a part of.

HSP is pleased to present the Oceanic voyage and tour diary of US and Belgium travelers, MONOPOLY CHILD STAR SEARCHERS and DOLPHINS INTO THE FUTURE.

Wellington Thursday December 16th, Happy with I.Ryoko and Sign of the Hag.

 Monopoly Child is The Skaters’ and Pacific City Vision’s Spencer Clark. His ornate, hallucinatory environments are enacted through a Xerox mirage of celestial horse gallop, mizmar-like horn melisma and avian vocal Interpretation. His live performances have been likened to a mix of t...emple inauguration and 50's Ethnic Folkways bootleg, and his myriad of recorded artifacts surf from devotional pyramid drone and celestial bamboo ritual to the tropical romance audio novel of his most recent vision, ‘Make Mine, Macaw’.

Courtesy of the Ancient Skywatchers of California and Shamans for Levitated Coconuts, amongst other distant bureaus, Clark’s cosmic accretion of tapes, CDrs and LPs have appeared on labels like Old English Spelling Bee, Heavy Tapes, Eclipse and New Age, and he has collaborated and performed with artists such as Tomutonttu, Sonic Youth, Deerhoof, Nurse With Wound, Charalambides, Melvins and Wooden Wand.

Dolphins into the Future is the Antwerp-based, Cetacean Nation Communications and Taped Sounds ambassador, Lieven Martens. Forming his music through a process of ‘automatic writing instigated by dialogues with the cetacean world’, Martens’ warbly and effervescent sonic ecosystems abound with the attuned aquatic energies and tranquility of liquindi percussion, echolocative synth gurgle, Polynesian cantata and tape-collage swirl.

Martens has released music on Kraak, Not Not Fun, Release the Bats, and his own evolving imprints, which have also played host to an array of artists such as, Oneohtrix Point Never, Orphan Fairytale, Kraus, J.D. Emmanuel, Emeralds’ Steve Hauschildt and James Ferraro. Dolphins’ radiant musical glare and calming ascension emerges from an innerspace of reflective elation and Higher Intelligence.
 
Thanks to Kraak, High Reflections, Obedient Atom, Adam Art Gallery and Altmusic NZ for their support.

Dear Time's Waste 'Spells' album release show with Siamese (Grayson Gilmour) and Timothy Blackman

This Friday (November 5th) we have one of the country's most promising songwriters (in our ever humble opinion!) releasing her first full length album with a show at Happy. With support from Siamese (the side project of one Grayson Gilmour) and Timothy Blackman, who also released an LP here a lil while back. VERY excited about this show. We'll be kicking off after the fireworks. Below is a download of one of the songs from Spells.

Weezer Tribute this Saturday

Featuring Solo Ono, Milkshake Cowboyz, god bows to math & Kiko (named for the teenage Japanese fan Rivers Cumo was rumored to have written several songs on Pinkerton for). And Weezer karaoke.  Kick off 10pm sharp.

SOLO ONO: Buddy holly, Island in the sun, Pink triangle

MILKSHAKE COWBOYZ: undone (sweater song), only in dreams, across the sea, in the garage

GOD BOWS TO MATH: If you really want me to, Beverly Hills, Keep Fishin, Hash Pipe 

KIKO: Tired of Sex, el scorcho, the good life, say it ain't so

THE STORY OF K RECORDS - FREE FILM SCREENING

We though seeing as Mirah (one of K record's brightest stars) will be playing the following night we’d take this opportunity to screen the K Records documentary.

Kicks off at 8pm sharp. Free Entry. Drink Specials. We’ll be doing dinner runs to the surrounding restaurants for ya's as well. If it goes well, we’ll do some more screenings in the future.

The Shield Around the K: The Story of K Records screens at Happy October 27th.
...
ABOUT THE SHIELD AROUND THE K: THE STORY OF K RECORDS:

The Shield Around the K: The Story of K Records, profiles the birth and growth of the punk rock DIY record label, K Records, based in Olympia, Washington. Co-Founders, Calvin Johnson and Candice Pedersen are interviewed along with over 20 K artists and peers including Mecca Normal, Lois, Rose Melberg, Ian MacKaye, Slim Moon, Dean Wareham and more. Directed by Heather Rose Dominic, The Shield Around the K features performances by Calvin Johnson's legendary Beat Happening. International Pop Underground Festival footage features Fugazi, Beat Happening, Mecca Normal and others. The Shield Around the K portrays an independent record label whose lo-fi credibility has never been compromised.

With many thanks to director Heather Rose Dominic.

GHOSTPLANE - added to the line up with MIRAH (US) and City Oh Sigh!

On Thursday October 28th. Presales available from utr.co.nz.

http://www.myspace.com/ghostplane

Vinyl Friday has been moved to the 22nd of this month.

Sorry for the inconvenience, but we have had to move our 'last Friday of every month' residency to the second to last Friday of this month only. So, instead of the 29th it will be a happening on October 22nd.

The Outsiders US tour fundraising show

Two shows one night! Sleepy Age and No Aloha on October 15th kick off at 8pm and go until 11pm. The Outsiders open their doors at 11pm.

OUTSIDERS US FUNDRAISING SHOW/TOUR

 

 The Outsiders are quickly making a name for themselves as one of the hardest working bands in New Zealand. The band released their Debut album The Words Will Write Themselves in May and while only a band for Two years they have toured Europe/UK Australia and New Zealand extensively and will now make their first trip to the United States.

 

The Outsiders will perform at the No Idea Records Fest in Gainesville Florida alongside such Punk/Metal and Indie heavyweights as High on Fire, Me First and the Gimmie Gimmes, Frank Turner, Dead to Me, O Pioneers, Outbreak, Strike Anywhere and more. They will then embark on a three week American tour playing everywhere from LA, to New York, Boston and Louisiana and meeting with US labels.

The band are playing a one off Fundraising show in Wellington on Friday October 15th with The Strikes and The Guilt Society (Show from 11pm) and are offering their album and EP half price from their Bandcamp Page up until the show
 

http://theoutsiders.bandcamp.com/
www.myspace.com/bantheoutsiders
www.youtube.com/theoutsiderstv  

Sleepy Age free EP download. Playing Happy October 15th with No Aloha.

Mirah (US) Thursday October 28

Another show we are very, very, very happy to be presenting for y'all:

Strange News, Happy and Poplib in association with Under the Radar present, 

for the first time in New Zealand - MIRAH! 

A permanent fixture in the Northwestern indie scene for the past decade, Mirah is at once an innovator and a heart-on-sleeve artist whose spectrum runs from folk to disco, with a discography as varied as the colours of a Double Rainbow. Collaborations with Phil Elverum (Microphones / Mt Eerie), Calvin Johnson and numerous others have ensured that Mirah has become a household name with music nerds the world over --- and she's finally coming HERE!

Mirah will be touring New Zealand as an incredible trio, accompanied by multi-instrumentalist Dave Depper (Norfolk & Western, Jolie Holland) and acclaimed Portland artist Rachel Blumberg, who has drummed for The Decemberists, Bright Eyes and M. Ward!

TICKETS ON SALE MONDAY 27th SEPTEMBER

Thursday October 28th at Happy, Wellington
with special guests Ghostplane & City Oh Sigh
Tickets from www.undertheradar.co.nz
 

 ~ ~ ~ 

If you've never heard Mirah - you're in for a treat. Check her out here:
http://www.krecs.com/html/artists/media.php?interest=25

and of course here:
http://www.myspace.com/cmonmirah

and if you need further swaying - you can hear her fantastical support act here:

www.myspace.com/cityohsigh
http://www.myspace.com/ghostplane

Nathan Haines & The Dream Band with Rikky Gooch

Happy are thrilled to be hosting Nathan Haines and the Dream Band next Saturday night (September 25th). Nathan and Band will be supported by Rikky Gooch.

As it is a strictly limited capacity, we strongly advise securing presales for this show, which are available HERE.

Nathan Haines hits the road in September for an all new musical journey covering dirty funk, soul, jazz and psychedelic rock. The aptly titled "Dream Band" features guitar legend Joel Haines, plus members of Nathan's latest line-up featured on the critically acclaimed new album on Warners, "Heaven and Earth".
The band recently played the main stage at Java Jazz Festival in Indonesia and Nathan played at The Rooms in Tokyo just last month, so expect to see and hear a band at its artistic and improvisatory peak.

Harking back to Nathan's club days in London where he ran his own successful club night for four years (The Nottinghill Arts Club), this latest tour will see a mix of Nathan's DJ sets with a two hour long band set. The emphasis will be on danceable grooves for those who like their music funky and cutting edge.

"Heaven and Earth”, Nathan's seventh studio album, is a distillation of his 25 years in the game, which has seen him master an incredible number of genres including drum and bass, broken beat, house and jazz electronic. He's even made an album with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, as well as guesting on international albums including Jamiroquai and New York dance legends Masters at Work.
October will see Nathan head back to the UK for tours including Italy and the UK, so don’t miss your chance to see one of New Zealand's most iconic and ground breaking musicians backed by the best that New Zealand has to offer.

Free Timothy Blackman download

And interview at 5pm tonight (Thursday September 16th) on the VBC88.3FM.
Timothy is playing tonight at Happy with CIty Oh Sigh. $5 entry fee, doors at 8pm.                          

Free Coolies download. 'Master' album release show @ Happy Oct 9

Grouper (US) with Pumice and Glass Vaults September 28

Another show we are very excited about:

The VBC88.3FM, The High Seas and Room 40 present:
GROUPER (US) with PUMICE and GLASS VAULTS

PRESALES $15 from UTR.CO.NZ


Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Liz Harris' GROUPER evokes the ghosts of songs, using minor-key, folk-derived melodies swathed in sheets of delay to carry her fragile vocals. Over albums such as Wide (2006) and Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill (2008), Harris has expanded upon her deceptively simple form, moving from all encompassing ambiance, cocooned in oceans of reverb, to a more stark, yet no less absorbing form, vulnerable imagery emerging from the music like half-remembered dreams. Harris has collaborated with Jamie Stewart of Xiu Xiu, Ben Chasny of Six Organs Of Admittance and released a split LP with NZ guitar luminary Roy Montgomery. Having already brought her arresting and beautiful show to NZ in 2009, Grouper's return is a welcome chance for those who missed out first time around to see Harris' aching and moving music in the flesh.

Auckland's Stefan Neville a.k.a. PUMICE is in no need of an introduction for discerning NZ listeners. A ramshackle one-man band, playing guitar, vocals, tape loops and drums simultaneously, he bridges the void between all-out improvisation and tightly executed song craft. It's noise, it's lo-fi, it's drone, it's pop - often all at once - Pumice defies all expectations with his live show. Neville's discography is beyond extensive, having been consistently pumping out releases since 1994, on all formats across a myriad of labels, as well as performing with bands like the Coolies, Sunken and Wendyhouse. To put it bluntly: Pumice is not to be missed!

Wellington's GLASS VAULTS is the project of Richard Larsen and Rowan Pierce. Taking their cues from good old fashioned pop song writing via ambient experimentation, the duo have already chalked up support slots with the likes of Xiu Xiu, and have released a debut EP that has attracted praise from all across the blogosphere. Pegged as "ones to watch", Glass Vaults' atmospheric and entrancing music is no doubt headed for bigger spaces, so make sure you see them in the intimate surrounds of Happy before it's too late!

SUN ARAW October 14th at HAPPY

We're awfully excited about this show...

"I think those that are staying alert, making sure to crest the wave, are already ecstatic in the ways they have found to re-order those energies for their benefit and the furthering of psychedelic and tuned-in living." - SUN ARAW interviewed on Tiny Mix Tapes

The High Seas, Under The Radar and VBC Present:
SUN ARAW (US) + Orchestra of Spheres
Thursday 14th of October at HAPPY
...
Presales $20 from http://www.undertheradar.co.nz/

SUN ARAW is the sound of the late-night party deepening to cosmic levels as you turn up the bass and fog up the place. Mantras emerge from voluminous reverb. Old-school Jamaican grooves roll deep with Afro-funk guitar. Shuddering percussive delays stretch out to the event horizon. It's like taking a journey from Kingston via Nigeria en route to the heart of the sun.

Hailing from Long Beach, LA, Cameron Stallones is the man behind this musical solar storm. A member of heavy rockin' psych-revivalists MAGIC LANTERN as well as recording with the likes of POCAHAUNTED and VIBES, Stallones infuses his lysergic blues with a hefty dose of tropical sunshine in some places, and deep-as-space Kraut-drone elsewhere. Moments on his latest double LP ON PATROL (Not Not Fun Records) sound a little like Lee Perry going crazy in the Black Ark Studio with members of the Sun Ra Arkestra, with an appropriately cinematic feel as the different sonic dimensions shift in and out of focus.

The SUN ARAW live experience sees Stallones taking the recorded material even further into realms of dubbed-out bliss, utilising guitar, Farfisa organ, vocals and a whole lot of delay to entrance the crowd in his colossal hypno-grooves. If astral projection had a soundtrack, this would be it. You can either get lost in this music and watch a universe being created or just dance like a stoned jellyfish. Whichever path you choose, make sure it leads to HAPPY, Wellington on Thursday 14th October.

WITH SUPPORT FROM ORCHESTRA OF SPHERES

Orchestra of Spheres take you to higher dimensions through mathematical ratios of rhythm and chaos patters of sound. Born from the Frederick Street Sound and Light Exploration Society in 2009, the Spheres have developed a cult-like following in their brief existence. Like celestial sponges, they draw on influences far and wide: the hypnotic beats of Kuduro; repetitive minimalist Bornean sape music; celestial chimes of gamelan. DIY instrument makers, the Spheres use the biscuit tin guitar, electric bass carillon and sexomouse marimba to create their cosmic dancing sound!

NEW RESIDENCY! VINYL FRIDAY last Friday of every month

The Rotating Plastic Inevitable presents

VINYL FRIDAY at Happy

A monthly celebration of rare groove and good beer.

It’s official. Digital tyranny has failed to stifle the joy of music that warps if you leave it out in the sun, so Happy are staging a celebration. The Rotating Plastic Inevitable presents an occasion designed to flush out a whole bunch of great, good and sporadically lamentable music from bedrooms and basements all over Wellington and give it a public airing.

Each month we offer relief to the families and flatmates of two different DJs who get to bore a whole new audience with the high points of their record collections. It’s a chance to relive some youths, hear stuff you’ve never encountered before, or just get some shit off your chest in the company of people who are at least vaguely sympathetic. We’re not sure whether it’ll be pipe smoking and beard stroking or a bacchanalian riot of strip limbo, but it’s definitely up the alley of the musically bi-curious.

To strike the right tone, there will be a selection of excellent boutique beer likely to appeal to people suspicious of iPods. If your idea of music is something that’s even more analogue than the Book of Kels, then get along to Vinyl Friday and lap it up. You’ll be in excellent company.

WHERE    Happy, 118 Tory Street, Wellington


WHEN    5.30pm
    Friday 30 June and the last Friday of every month

WHO    Want to pencil a spot as DJ? Contact bookings.happy@gmail.com

Melancholy Babes

We have these fine chaps playing for us on Tuesday July 13 & 20

The trio of saxophonist Jeff Henderson, bassist Tom Callwood and drummer Anthony Donaldson are three of the country's most experienced and innovative jazz improvisors and blend an array of influences into their own unique sound. Expect music that soars like a bird, snaps like a crocodile and breathes like a dragon!

Saxophonist Jeff Henderson is a prolific international performing and recording artist who has recently returned from a month touring Japan with drummer Shoji Hano. He has performed with Many leading jazz and experimental musicians such as Steve Lacy, Han Bennink, Tetuzi Akiyama and Marilyn Crispell and has close associations with great New Zealand musicians such as Mike Nock, Richard Nunns and Gerard Crewdson.

Drummer Anthony Donaldson is a legend in New Zealand music, from the seminal avantjazz collective the Primitive Art Group to The Six Volts to his massive stage show productions with The Village of Idiots, Anthony Donaldson is one of the most influential and inspirational musicians and
bandleaders in New Zealand today.

Bass player Tom Callwood is a member of popular bands Little Bushman and the Phoenix Foundation. Recently he has released the album Little Bushman with the NZSO, toured Australia and performed extensively throughout New Zealand. His jazz credentials are exemplary, having performed with Mike Nock, Roger Sellars, Leila Adu and Marilyn Crispell to name but a few.

Free download of new Body 125 EP

HERE

Body 125 are playing this Saturday (July 10) with 47 Diamantes, Old Grey Wolf, Grass Cannons & Milkshake Cowboyz

god bows to math & Cat Venom double 7” release show with The Postures, Mammal Airlines Saturday July 24

With thanks to Muzai Records. Read more ovah HERE

Great art, too:

Happy's Happy Hour returns

Just a super quick post to say: we are starting our Happy Hour back up from Tuesday July 6th. The new Happy Happy Hour will be every Tuesday - Friday with $4 beer and mulled wine from 5pm - 7pm. The faux fire is on and there are board games and old timey books to entertain - but please feel free to bring your own.

Rookie Night

We are keen to hear from you (or anyone you know) for our all-new semi-regular 'Rookie Night' on Wednesdays. If you are a new band and want to get out of the practice space and gig in a supportive and no pressure environment, let us know. We will provide the venue and a sound tech. Giz an email or a call.

Live Jazz with The Poppin' Jays - EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT

For those that don't already know about this badly kept secret, we have a Sunday night residency: LIVE JAZZ with The Poppin' Jays. This goes down every Sunday night @ HAPPY with hard swinging organ jazz classics and originals, rendered in a rustic kiwi style by Lucian Johnson, Al Campbell, Chris Yeabsley and John Rae. It's FREE ENTRY, the heaters are on and we have $5 mulled wine during the winter. It's a great way to finish up your weekend.

FREE SHOW

So - This went rool good! Thanks to Cancer, Teen Hygiene and Tiger's Eye. As well as all of youse that showed up and behaved yourselves. There will be more...keep an eye on this space, or on the facebooks

HAPPY presents: FREE SHOW FRIDAY with CANCER, TEEN HYGIENE & TIGER'S EYE

In what will hopefully be a semi-regular occurance Happy is proud to present a FREE show for y'all. 

With CANCER (new band consisting of Sean Kelly of Seth Frightening, Reece McNaughton of Big Flip The Massive and Thomas Lambert of i.ryoko), TEEN HYGIENE (formally PSYchic JAms) and TIGER'S EYE (solo project of Matthew Armitage).

Also featuring $5 beer all night. FREE ENTRY.