HAPPY

Erez Sussman - Guitar From Around The World

2011-12-13T22:14:00.000-08:00

Erez Sussman- Guitar from Around The World

Wednesday December 21st 8.30pm $15

Touring his new album, The Mighty Cedar, Erez brings the Toronto sound all the way from Canada, with influences from around the world - from Bossa to Breakbeats and Funk to Flamenco. Come hear the classical guitar sing to a fresh beat and take in some good vibes.

Check out the website at http://mightycedar.blogspot.com
and the promo video at http://vimeo.com/29459412

Lindon Puffin with Victoria Girling-Butcher

2011-12-07T14:56:00.000-08:00

Lindon Puffin and Victoria Girling-Butcher

Friday December 16th 8pm $15

Lindon Puffin and Victoria Girling-Butcher’s new albums have respectively earned high praise in New Zealand press since both were released in November.

Joined by their bands, both artists will celebrate in Wellington with show at Happy on December 16.

See Lindon Puffins album 4.5 out of 5 review in the New Zealand Hearld - http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10764851

Victoria Girling-Butcher’s ‘Summit Drive’ ranked on Simon Sweetman’s ‘Best Kiwi Albums of 2011’ plus 4 out 5 review of the album in the NZ Herald.

The same double billed show in Auckland was rated Nick Atikinson’s weekend highlight recently on National Programme.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2503694/music-review-with-nick-atkinson.asx

This performance will not disappoint!

Vital Sounds Hi-Fi Downbeat Special: The Studio One Story

2011-12-07T14:49:00.001-08:00

Vital Sounds Hi-Fi Downbeat Special: The Studio One Story

Saturday December 17th 9pm $5

Clement ‘Sir Coxsone’ Dodd is a legendary figure in terms of Jamaica’s music industry. From the late 50s his Downbeat Sound System was one of a select few that ran things in Jamaica and he turned its success into one of the most respected record companies ever, Studio One - having been described as "the Motown of Jamaica music".

Studio One was at the cutting edge of most of the major music movements in Jamaica during the 1960s and 1970s, including ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub and early dancehall. The label was founded by Clement "Coxsone" Dodd in 1954, and the first recordings were cut in 1963 on Brentford Road in Kingston.

Virtually every major Jamaican artist who could reach the microphone got their break at Studio One, including the Abyssinians, Heptones, Burning Spear, the Ethiopians, Alton Ellis, Dennis Brown, and the young Wailers of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Livingstone to name just a few.

I am very pleased to bring you a night of strictly Studio One music. I'll be opening up my collection of rare Studio One 45's, showcasing the biggest tunes from the greatest label in Jamaican music history from ska, rocksteady, reggae, and rub-a-dub.

Manray, Vital Sounds HiFi.

With support from

Ras Stone on the microphone.

plus

Ras Twig (aka Miles, Radio Active 89fm)

Undercover

Art (Newtown Sound. niceup.org).

Vital Sounds Hi-Fi

Downbeat Special

The Studio One story.

Vital Sounds Hi-Fi Downbeat Special: The Studio One Story

2011-12-07T14:48:00.000-08:00

Vital Sounds Hi-Fi Downbeat Special: The Studio One Story

Saturday December 17th 9pm $5

Manray, Vital Sounds HiFi.

With support from

Ras Stone on the microphone.

plus

Ras Twig (aka Miles, Radio Active 89fm)

Undercover

Art (Newtown Sound. niceup.org).

Vital Sounds Hi-Fi

Downbeat Special

The Studio One story.

Farmer Maori and the Maori Farmers

2011-12-07T09:18:00.000-08:00

Farmer Maori and the Maori Farmers

Tuesday December 13th, 8pm

The Farmers wanna say thank you to all our fans from the past year with one last show where it all began!

Kill those Tuesday blues and come down to Happy for a night of electric opera blues rock reggae music, where the farmers will be smashing out some hits for your taringas. Lend us yours ears and your presence for our live EP recording! 8pm Koha entry. Kia ora whanau!

The Maori Farmers...

Jaime 'Farmer Maori' Reihana - Croon/maori trumpet
Eddie 'sax teaser' O'Conner - Saxamaphone
Al 'A-lister' Newton - Gat
Lawrence 'Low-Talker' Taula - Hammond/vox
Nat 'Howlin Waha' Newton - Bongos/MC
Charlotte 'The mother farmer' Nicklin - Opera
Aarona 'Maakau' Birch- Drums

Natalia Mann: 'Pasif.Ist' album launch

2011-12-07T09:11:00.000-08:00

Natalia Mann

'Pasif.Ist' album launch

Saturday December 10th, 7-8pm

guests Lucien Johnson & Shona Jaunas

Harpist/composer Natalia Mann launches her new album Pasif.ist on the Rattle Records label this month. With guests Lucien Johnson (saxophone) and Shona Jaunas (violin).

www.myspace.com/nataliamann

www.rattlerecords.net

The Stacks with Siamese Charades, Kabanaz and Fate 2 Decide

2011-12-07T09:04:00.000-08:00

The Stacks with Siamese Charades, Kabanaz and Fate 2 Decide

Friday December 9th 8.30pm $5

The Stacks are a rocking three piece band that deliver an energized entertaining show. Their original songs have been crafted with rocking grooves, three part harmonies and road worn lyrics. They are an awesome experience live and never fail to entertain.

The Stacks are also sharing the night with some amazing Wellington talent, Siamese Charades, Kabanaz and Fate 2 Decide.

It is $5.00 on the door with the first band starting at 9pm, plus every person through the door goes into a draw to win a $30.00 Music Warehouse voucher (kindly sponsored by the Wellington Musicians Network).

Gold Medal Famous Christmas Party with Cliché Guevara & Heat Like Me!

2011-12-01T20:27:00.000-08:00

Gold Medal Famous Christmas Party with Cliché Guevara & Heat Like Me!

Thursday December 15th 9pm $10 with EP

"Christmas is all kinds of things to all kinds of people: happy, sad, fun, annoying, sacrilegious, bankrupting. Whatever camp you fall into you'll enjoy a Christmas Party with avant-garde pop stars Gold Medal Famous.

Joined by electropop duo Cliche Guevara and live acid house group Heat Like Me, Gold Medal Famous will ease you into the season fervour. $10 on the door gives you entry and a free limited edition Christmas Music EP featuring new songs by all 3 bands.

Happy Bar 9pm Thursday 15 December. Ho ho ho and seasons greetings!"

BB Marshall with Jessica's Cats Pyjamas & High Class Hobo Society

2011-12-01T18:08:00.000-08:00

BB Marshall with Jessica's Cats Pyjamas & High Class Hobo Society

Wednesday December 14th, 8.30pm $5

Folks and folkettes, it's that time of year when y'all start making tracks to various destinations around the globe to celebrate the birth of our lord and savior, Jesus Markus Donald Christ. However, before the great migration takes place, Happy is putting on one final push for salvation before the sky falls upon our heads and the ground beneath our feet bursts into flames. A group of highly trained musicians has been sent to Wellington by God Phillip Russel Almighty in an attempt to stave off the impending Judgement Day, and if you value the absolution of your soul, it would be wise to check out what these chalices of righteousness have to say.

B.B. Marshal: "Never have I heard such a sounds as this, the future of acoustic music rolled into one" - Rolling Stone Magazine

"Excellent, 5 Stars" - National Geographic Magazine

Jessica's Cat's Pyjamas:

"A true expression of abstract art, ne'er could I have achieved anything like this" - Picasso

"The most honest and hard hitting experiment with funk and blues since Mozart" - Empire Magazine

High Class Hobo Society:

"A spectacle one must experience before one's death, a flash of brilliance in a sea of mediocre" - Mojo Magazine

"I fell to my knees and wept with joy" - Jesus Markus Donald Christ
"A necessary accompaniment to all al fresco situations" - New Zealand Home & Garden Magazine

$5 on the door, a small price to pay when compared to that of purchasing a new Mercedes.

Jeremy Mason EP Release with Hula Hope

2011-12-01T16:17:00.000-08:00

Jeremy Mason EP Release with Hula Hope

Thursday December 8th 8.30pm $5

Music and Artists Social Club Presents: December Songs

2011-12-01T16:10:00.000-08:00

Music and Artists Social Club Presents: December Songs

Wednesday December 7th 9pm $5

Halcyon Drift EP Release with The Dijretts

2011-12-01T15:58:00.000-08:00

Halcyon Drift EP Release with The Dijretts

Saturday December 3rd, 8pm $10

Vinyl Friday - The Flying Nun Special

2011-11-17T17:52:00.000-08:00

Vinyl Friday -
The Flying Nun Special

Friday November 25th
5.30pm Free Entry

Given that it's the 30th anniversary of New Zealand's best loved record label this month, it would be downright rude of the Vinyl Friday Illuminati to ignore it. Consequently, we've drafted label founder Roger Shepherd and former Garage editor Richard Langston in to construct an analogue tribute worthy of the occasion. There are also strong rumours that Simon Coley will make an appearance with his copy of "Fall In A Hole", hotly pursued we assume by a lynch mob of copyright lawyers. We're just hoping that one of them will play The Verlaines' "Pyromaniac". For the perfect way to memorialise one of our finest domestic cultural achievements, be there at Happy Bar, Friday 25 November. It kicks off at 5.30 so don't be late; some of us aren't as young as we used to be.

Coney Island Swamp Monster, Great Expectorations, The Dickens, Meghan Glue w Andrew Savage

2011-11-16T15:23:00.000-08:00

Coney Island Swamp Monster, Great Expectorations, The Dickens, Meghan Glue w Andrew Savage

Friday December 2nd, 9pm, $5

Can you believe it? Is it really that time again?

The women in both Dan and Andrew's lives are in the family way - and due in December. "How did that happen?" I hear you ask...

Well, this is not the time for details! Rather celebration...and we will celebrate in style.

So, the friends that are Coney Island Swamp Monster, Great Expectorations, The Dickens, Meghan Glue, Andrew Savage invite you to the first ever baby shower gig staged in Wellington.

Over the last two years, this community of musicians and friends have forged a relationship based on mutual respect and genuine appreciation of each other’s musical offerings.

We can't think of any other people we would prefer to celebrate with as we pave the way for our unborn children.

This may be the last outing for a few months as both Dan & Andrew will endeavour to be good fathers for a bit before cracking out the guitars again...not too long mind you…

So - it's a date.

$5 on the door, and bring a baby shower gift if you want to!

You will be treated:

The night kicks off with Andrew Savage of the Dickens playing a short solo set followed by the siren that is Meghan Glue. The Dickens will give you 100% after that, followed by Great Expectorations (do not miss this) and Wellington's finest: Coney Island Swamp Monster.

Facebook Event

Sunbird7 w Monica Yeoman & My Dear Watson

2011-11-16T03:30:00.000-08:00

Sunbird7 w Monica Yeoman & My Dear Watson
Saturday November 26th 8pm $10

Inspired by a mutual passion for music and story-telling Rohan and Geoff have created the sounds of Sunbird7. This live show will draw you into a world where the wary traveller can lose themselves in the memories of home and in the next breath be full of love and romance for the adventures that lay ahead. Their masterful melodies and stories of strength and pride will inspire passion in your heart and draw you into an emotional journey.

Sunbird7 combines the lyrical magic of Donovan and the uplifting sounds of Coldplay with a twist of driven Celtic drums and beautiful folk melodies into an endless vista of 'cinematic folk' which never fails to captivate their audiences.

Rohan and Geoff met in the mountains high above Queenstown, in an old slate rock miner's cottage where they set about creating an idea and a sound of long lost travelers, love and yearning, and Aotearoa's changing seasons above the central Otago plains. The recording made in that cottage was then released into the hot sun of Canterbury's summer days where they played to spontaneous crowds of more than 500 people in Christchurch's majestic Cathedral Square.

This coming together of strangers for song and dance under the canopy of summer evenings and the music of a long forgotten home inspired the birth of Sundbird7 ~ acoustic guitars, joyful and emotive voices, jungle drums on a backdrop of cinematic sound-scapes let listeners live, love and find themselves more whole than when they started the journey.

Web : www.facebook.com/sunbird7
Music : www.reverbnation.com/sunbird7

Hollywoodfun Downstairs w The Shadow Blasters & The Medicine Dogs

2011-11-16T03:16:00.000-08:00

Hollywoodfun Downstairs w The Shadow Blasters & The Medicine Dogs

Thursday November 24th, 9pm $5

Hollywoodfun Downstairs on Reverbnation.

Facebook Event

Other, Roses & Orchids + Ben

2011-11-16T02:47:00.000-08:00

OTHER w Roses & Orchids + Ben

Wednesday November 23rd 9pm gold coin

Melodious melodies, harmonious harmonies, rhythmical rhythms from three beautifully skillful Wellington bands.

Other is a small group of people who focus on melody and harmony in their short songs. It is easy to get lost in their refined, different and very interesting sound.

Roses and Orchids consists of two singing ladies whose melodies are a little folky, a little spooky. Their voices are supported by the sound of guitars, banjo, violin and tambourine. Their songs have a distinct focus on exploring melodic motifs and interchanging harmonies.

BEN is simply awesome.

Listen to Roses and Orchids

Miles Calder And The Rumors w Oskar Herbig, Lakewood Avenue & Barbeque Crackers

2011-11-16T02:21:00.000-08:00

Miles Calder And The Rumors w Oskar Herbig, Lakewood Avenue & Barbeque Crackers

Wednesday November 30th, 7.30pm $5

A scampish folk troubadour dreaming of high seas and low trees.
Melding wiry country jangle with frail folk balladeering, Miles Calder
wins your heart and woos your dancing shoes.

After cutting his teeth drumming in various alternative rock & roll
bands, Miles now finally emerge frontstage with original written
material. He draws inspiration from folk, country and blues back
catalogues, as well as the great modern songwriters such as Bob Dylan,
Ryan Adams, Tom Waits, Beck, Townes Van Zandt, Neil Young and more.

Happy are putting on a night of folk songwriter goodness. Come be
witness the raw talent lurking in the shadows of Wellington's
new-country/folk scene. In his first show with his band, young
songwriter Miles Calder will deliver a bright array original songs.
Oskar Herbig will shake you to your bones with his mercury-gravel
voice and powerful playing of original songs that have a thick
bloodline to traditional blues and folk. The talented guitar/banjo duo
Lakewood Avenue and spritely songwriter Barbeque Crackers are arriving
on the scene and will start the night off into the air. See you there.

Luckless, Bond St Bridge w Timothy Blackman

2011-11-15T14:45:00.000-08:00

A LITTLE BIT EPIC: LUCKLESS AND BOND STREET BRIDGE TOUR NZ
Friday November 25th, 9pm $10

Luckless and Bond Street Bridge are taking themselves on a pilgrimage around the country - an expedition bringing their sumptuous folk/rock music to audiences from Dunedin to Auckland.

Luckless are a self-described melancholic indie-rock duo, consisting of drummer Will Wood and guitarist and vocalist Ivy Rossiter. Drawing on influences as diverse as Portishead, PJ Harvey and Sparklehorse, the duo’s fiery combination of drums and distortion ebbs and swells with each carefully crafted song. Luckless sounds like an engine run on the thick oil of a kick drum in an empty hall, a wail of overdriven guitar and the howl of a thousand heartbreaks. Rossiter’s vocals trickle over walls of drums and guitar, yelping and sighing at turns.

Bond Street Bridge is the solo project of Sam Prebble, using loop pedals and tape echoes to build up layers of guitar, violin, beats and vocals to produce a hypnotic, compelling and original sound. Evocative lyrics and sonically lush instrumental arrangements make an eclectic live show which has secured Bond Street Bridge invitations to support New York art-pop duo The Books and the LA country-noir of the Willard Grant Conspiracy.

Tickets available from Undertheradar

video of Luckless on bfm breakfast club

Tour info on Under the Radar

Stone Candy, The Placid Saints and DazZ at Happy

2011-11-14T20:52:00.000-08:00

Wednesday November 16th, 8pm $5

Kaleidoscope rock'n'roll from Wellington three-piece The Placid Saints

Stone Candy are a three-piece instrumental rock band from Wellington who play music they enjoy and they have eclectic taste in sonic exploration.

DazZ aka Darrell Vickers is a musician who composes, records, and performs many different styles of music. Currently based in Paremata, where he spends his time writing and recording music.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=132059460230166

ZineFest After Party w The False Dmitrys, Robin, Daniel Boobyer, Nervous System

2011-11-09T22:38:00.000-08:00

Saturday November 19th 8 pm Gold Coin Entry

The Blue Onesies, Wives, Solo Ono

2011-11-09T22:27:00.000-08:00

Friday November 18th 9 pm $5

"Everybody's favourite Wellington psychedelic rock bands, The Blue Onesies and Wives, are playing a double-headliner gig at Happy with support from the dynamic duo, Solo Ono."

Meghan Glue, Kriston Batistic, William Jackman, Oskar Herbig

2011-11-07T13:53:00.000-08:00

Thursday November 10th 8 pm $5

Jordie Lane, Matt Langley & Mel Parsons bring the Blood Thinner tour to Wellington

2011-11-07T13:48:00.000-08:00

Thursday December 1st 8 pm $15 pre sale tickets and $20 if still available on the door.

Australian Jordie Lane will bring his ‘Blood Thinner’ tour to Happy Bar in Wellington on December 1^st with support from APRA Award winner Matt Langley and TUI Award nominee Mel Parsons.

The trio will play an intimate, acoustic concert showcasing a blend of folk, alt-country and roots music and featuring unique collaborations on each other’s songs.

Lane brings with him a reputation as one of Australia’s most revered singer/songwriters. Rolling Stone Magazine called his debut album “one of the most assured ever by a local artist”. Rhythms Magazine labelled him Australia’s “brightest new roots music star,” and he is commonly compared to Bruce Springsteen, Gram Parsons, Townes Van Zandt and Ryan Adams.

He has also supported Cat Power, Neko Case, The Moody Blues, Gotye, and Old Crow Medicine Show, headlined sold out Australian tours, and was recently nominated for ‘Best Blues & Roots Album’ at the Australian Independent Music Awards.

This Wellington show is part of a 12-date New Zealand tour which celebrates the release of Lane’s new sophomore album ‘Blood Thinner.

Bikini Roulette, Killing Bear, Glass Eye and The Carnies

2011-10-31T03:00:00.000-07:00

Friday 11/11/11 9 pm $5

An electrifying Rock and Roll coalition ascends from the underground on Friday November 11th: Three of the best - Bikini Roulette, Killing Bear, Glass Eye and The Carnies will take you, shake you, obliterate you!

Balkin Brass Explosion

2011-10-31T02:53:00.000-07:00

Saturday November 5th 9.30 pm $10

After watching the Wellington fireworks display, come down to Happy and be treated to aural explosions of the gypsy kind. Our ecstatic seven piece brass mayhem playing Balkan classics will further astound you and make you double happy.

Anthesiac EP Release w Mono Sonic, Shocking And Stunning

2011-10-31T02:44:00.000-07:00

Friday November 4th 9 pm $5

http://www.facebook.com/anthesiac

The MELANCHOLY BABES with Eric Boeren(Amsterdam)

2011-10-27T04:57:00.000-07:00

Sunday November 6th 8.30

The Melancholy Babes

Jeff Henderson – alto saxophone

Tom Callwood – bass

Anthony Donaldson – drums

with special guest

Eric Boeren - trumpet

Following up from their 2010 national tour the Melancholy Babes bring their unique blend of new jazz improvisation and composition back to New Zealand audiences, this time with renowned Dutch trumpet player Eric Boeren.

The tour begins in Auckland and travels throughout the South Island before opening the iiii Festival of Adventurous Music in Wellington.

Jeff Henderson, Tom Callwood and Anthony Donaldson, the Melancholy Babes, met the inventive trumpet player Eric Boeren in 2005 when he performed in Wellington with a quartet featuring some of the most renowned musicians in the Netherlands including drumming legend Han Bennink.

The group hit it off and enjoyed each others music so much that they kept in touch and played together at every opportunity including playing Amsterdam at the famous squat venue Zaal 100.

With the success of Europe under their belt, and carrying the FREDS award for musical bravery, The Melancholy Babes have invited Eric Boeren to New Zealand to augment their joyful sound. He brings new compositions from the Netherlands to add a touch of European sophistication to the rough and ready tones of the Babes.

Eric Boeren

Eric Boeren made his first steps in music with the brassband Ulicoten, a small village in the south of Holland, on the Belgian border. At eighteen, after attending his first concerts of improvised music, Eric switched to cornet, his first love. In 1983 saxophonist Michael Moore invited him to join Available Jelly for a tour in Germany and France. He has been professionally playing creative music ever since.

Eric Boeren is now well established as one of Holland’s most creative and prolific trumpeters and bandleaders. He has performed in the Maarten Altena Ensemble, Sean Bergins MOB and with jazz legends John Carter, Roscoe Mitchell and Malachi Favors to name a few. this is Eric Boerens third visit to New Zealand and his first time performing in the South Island.

The MELANCHOLY BABES

Saxophonist Jeff Henderson is a prolific international performing and recording artist who has recently toured Europe with Winning Productions and Japan with drummer Shoji Hano. He has performed with many leading jazz and experimental musicians such as Steve Lacy, Wilbert De Joode and Marilyn Crispell and has close associations with great New Zealandmusicians 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 hismassive 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 toured Europe with the Phoenix Foundation and has 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.

Vinyl Friday October 5 X 45 12 DJs

2011-10-23T20:38:00.000-07:00

Friday October 28th. 5.30 pm Free Entry

That's right. 12 DJs will each play 5 of their favourite 45s on this cool little record player*

Everyone knows full well that 7 inch 45rpm singles rule. Marathon guitar solos, trance workouts and prog epics won't cut it on a record that needs a cup of tea and a lie down after 4 minutes. This month, Vinyl Friday salutes the 45 in the ONLY appropriate manner. Twelve different DJs get a shot at playing their FIVE best 7 inch singles. It's a WWF-style Smackdown frenzy of 3 minute pop, rock and soul junk. Expect anything.

Where should you be? ......

* May not actually be this record player.

November Music And Artists' Social Club

2011-10-23T20:28:00.000-07:00

Wednesday November 2nd Doors at 8.30pm. $5 entry (cash only on the door)

A fantastic line-up. Book the date now.

Eb & Sparrow

Saran Goldie

Robbie Ellis

Little Cow Little Calf

Karen Jaine

Invite your friends and keep an eye here for more details.

Jetsam Isles, Diving, Dial Square

2011-10-20T14:59:00.000-07:00

Saturday 29 October doors at 9 pm $10

Returned from unknown waters, it’s time to welcome back the slick new-wave pop drone of Jetsam Isles. Jetsam Isles are a Wellington band whose unique dirt-noise sound contains just a hint of shoegaze. The trio have made a name for themselves at live performances with their one handed guitar strikes, dominating and seductive bass lines and fanatical beats.

Jetsam Isles have been playing sets with the likes of The Golden Awesome, Pop Strangers and the Wilberforces along with Melbourne musicians including Steven Huf from Ouch My Face. Their latest EPs, Dirt Beats Noise Vols. 2 and 3, are soon to be available at http://jetsamisles.bandcamp.com/

Playing alongside Jetsam Isles is Diving, a 2-piece from Wellington, formed in late 2010. Their mostly-instrumental music is atmospheric and immersive, and at the same time energetic and percussive. They utilise an ensemble of effects and loopers to wrap up their guitar-and-synth-based electronic sound, which is melded with driving - veering towards tribal - percussion.

Also joining the line-up is Dial Square, who having originally started out as a 2-piece have recently evolved into a full on 4-piece band. Their guitar driven, British invasion sound will guide you through an anything-but-suburban fantasy accompanied by a triumphal live performance.

Timothy Blackman album release with Dear Frontier

2011-10-12T15:13:00.000-07:00

Wednesday October 26th 8 pm $5

Timothy Blackman is a singer from Wellington New Zealand. Classically trained in violin from the age of five, in his formative years Blackman revolted against convention, turning to the inchoate angst of grunge music. In 2002 he moved to Dunedin and founded the minimalist punk rock band Jezebel Sundae, who preformed regularly in the local music scene.

Tired of thrashing chords and depleting his lungs, Tim changed direction, beginning to mould solitary pensive songs on an old four-track borrowed from a friend. The lo-fi bedroom recordings were eventually self-released as the EP, Giraffes, Wharves and Sinking Sand. Weaving together enigmatic and opaque lyrics and skeletal guitar picking, the recording had an intimacy that was unnervingly immediate. Blackman’s sophomoric effort, Modern Sprawl EP, recorded in Auckland kept the gritty asceticism of his previous recording, while showcasing more melodious and nuanced textures. The Sunday Star Times designated Blackman as “a major talent… that affirms his aesthetic debt to local home recording pioneer, Chris Knox.” The dislocated city of Berlin provided the perfect backdrop to Blackman’s debut full length album, I’ve Never Lived (2010). Permeated by themes of loss and displacement, the public and the private, Tim looked to the plight of the city to delve into his introspective world.

In addition to the records, Blackman has also spent time on the road in New Zealand since 2006. However, more recently has toured to parts of Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia.

In 2010 Blackman returned to his hometown after an eight year hiatus recording his sophomore LP, Everybody Needs Something To Hold On To, over four days in an abandoned church on the outskirts of Wellington. Everybody departs from Tim’s laconic lo-fi leanings, delivering richly evocative sweeps of instrumentation and polished vocals which nonetheless remain quintessentially solemn and sincere. The album was produced by Timothy Armstrong and features a number of Blackmans friends from other Wellington bands/orchestras.

The new record is released in New Zealand on October 10^th through Home Alone Music/Border Music and in support of the release Blackman is playing six dates this October in the north and south islands.

Nadia Reid, French for Rabbits

2011-10-12T14:53:00.000-07:00

Thursday November 3rd 8 pm $5/$10

‘Letters I Wrote and Never Sent’ - EP Release and Tour

20 year old Christchurch-based singer/songwriter Nadia Reid has been forging a low-flying pathway in music and live performances with her unique brand of understated charm since she picked up a guitar 6 years ago.

Her debut EP 'Letters I Wrote and Never Sent' is due for imminent liberation, produced by Ben Edwards (The Sitting Room) and recorded at Quicksand Studios in Christchurch through Gold Sounds. The EP features collaborations with musicians Tim Moore (Von Klap), Mike Fordham (Von Klap), and Simon Gregory (Devlish Mary & The Holy Rollers), the result of which provides lavish sound texture to Nadia’s songs.

Nadia has appeared with a variety of Christchurch, Dunedin and Auckland- based artists of national and international renown including: The Bats, Tiny Vipers (US), The Eastern, Tono, Jaime Regan (UK), Matt Langley, and Von Klap. Opening for such diverse luminaries, her solo performances maintain integrity as an emerging musical voice.

Nadia will celebrate the release of her EP with a four-centre tour starting in Christchurch at The Archive on the 27th October. This will be followed with shows in Dunedin, Wellington, and Auckland. Christchurch musicians, Happiness Stan and Charlotte Ivey will join Nadia, along with a stellar band consisting of Ben Eldridge (Heavy Jones Trio, Reduction Agents, Dictaphone Blues), Joe McCallum (Julia Deans), and Rich Densem (Mustard) on the Southern shows.

‘Letters I Wrote And Never Sent’ is out 27th October 2011 through Gold Sounds.

Reid’s demeanor betrayed no hint of anxiety and her delicate blend of folk and pop proved a winning combination. – Jack van Beynen, The Press.

Reid [was a] mesmeric vocalist – embracing numbers from Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht along with desolate struggle-street country and biting contemporary songs. [With] evocative covers of John Prine’s Angel from Montgomery, Mazzy Star’s Wasted and Jolie Holland’s Old Fashioned Morphine… - Francesca Horsley, The Listener.

'I Will Never Cut My Ties' first single up here https://nadiareid.bandcamp.com/

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TOUR DATES:

THURSDAY 27TH OCTOBER // CHRISTCHURCH

DARKROOM (THE ARCHIVE) 336 ST ASAPH STREET

special guests: HAPPINESS STAN + CHARLOTTE IVEY

FREE 9PM

SATURDAY 29TH OCTOBER // DUNEDIN

OTAGO WOMENS PIONEER BUILDING 362 MORAY PLACE (opp COUNTDOWN)

special guests: HAPPINESS STAN + CHARLOTTE IVEY

$5/$10 7.30PM

THURSDAY 3RD NOVEMBER // WELLINGTON (Solo Show)

HAPPY

special guests: FRENCH FOR RABBITS

$5 9PM

FRIDAY 4TH NOVEMBER // AUCKLAND (Solo Show)

THE WINE CELLAR

ST KEVINS ARCADE

special guest: SIMON COMBER + TIM MOORE

$5 9PM

God Bows To Math, High Society, Lost Rockets, Captain Sergeant Major

2011-10-12T14:39:00.000-07:00

Saturday October 15th Doors at 8pm first band on at 10. $10

Mr Sterile Assembly, Nervous System, Jabroniz, +DJ P-Pants

2011-10-12T01:58:00.000-07:00

On October 14 Friday, the mr sterile Assembly invites you to Happy, on the corner of Vivian and Tory to celebrate with us ten years of racket.

Sharing the stage with us are friends Nervous System(two piece drums & electronic), Jabroniz, +DJ P-Pants(Jeff Henderson).

Entry $7 (unwaged/low-waged) $8 (better than minimum waged)

Kick off 9.30ish you know the drill

Come along, we are officially teenagers!

Astro Empire, The Good Words, Phill Jones

2011-10-09T02:45:00.000-07:00

Wednesday October 12th
8. 30 pm $10

Fredstock - My, Oh, Sets (Whanganui) , Octopus (Auckland), Our Love Will Destroy the World , Late: Bad Spheres

2011-09-28T00:59:00.000-07:00

Saturday October 8^th 9.30 pm $10

visuals Rayzordoll, VJ Tempest, Naomi Lamb

  My, Oh (Dunedin) Awkward electro phat beat rappers

  Sets (Whanganui) 

Multiconceptualmusic

  Octopus (Auckland) Liz Matthews (Hairdos, Evil) and Beth Duckling Monster (Futurians, Maltese Falcons) cast thrash incantations and alien carols through an exquisite confusion of synth and drum smoke.  

Our Love Will Destroy the World 

Campbell Kneale (Birchville Cat Motel, Black Boned Angel)

Late: Bad Spheres 

Part Orchestra of Spheres, part Bad Statistics... an all out bad burst of cosmic energy featuring Thebis Mutante and C.Spencer Yeh on vocals.

Fredstock - ...  C Spencer Yeh, Eye (Dunedin) , Tlaotlon, late: Chief Miao and VuVu Doon

2011-09-28T00:52:00.000-07:00

Friday October 7^th 9.30 pm $10

 visuals The Ghastlies Ectoplasmic Projections

ALTMUSIC PRESENTS ...  C Spencer Yeh (USA)

  Born in Taiwan, C. Spencer Yeh is now based in Brooklyn NY. His chief modes of expression are amplified violin and voice. He is recognized for his musical project Burning Star Core and collaborates with artists such as Tony Conrad, Thurston Moore, Carlos Giffoni, John Wiese, Paul Flaherty, Chris Corsano, Smegma and Jandek. Yeh’s diverse sound practice encompasses blissed-out meditative droneworks, fire noise improvsations and Dadaist vocalisations.  "Yeh did not sing in a strict sense, but he vocalized with every part of his neck and head that could produce sound...it clearly was unsettling to much of the audience...."- George Grella - "The Big City"

Eye (Dunedin) Peter Stapleton, Peter Porteous, Nathan Thompson, Jon Chapman - longtime Dunedin psych-noise-improvisation group featuring members of The Terminals and Sandoz Lab Technicians

  Tlaotlon  Jeremy Coubrough

(Signer, Orchestra of Spheres) solo electronics  

late: Chief Miao and VuVu Doon

Fredstock - Tapioca Dragon, Mischancerie, Mongo Skato, Candlesnuffer, Dead Ringers with Steve Roche

2011-09-28T00:48:00.000-07:00

Thursday October 6^th 9.30 pm $10

visuals by Chris Connolley

  Tapioca Dragon  Guitar and drum improv from Mark Williams and Andy Wright

  Mischancerie  

Power electronics/drone/noisepop.  

Mongo Skato Experimental house music

  Candlesnuffer (David Brown, Melbourne) 

David Brown has been involved in the Melbourne experimental, art rock/punk rock scene since the mid-seventies. His projects include punk jazz band Bucketrider, improvising trio Peteras/Baxter/Brown, improv/sound art group Western Grey, psychedelic electronic duo Terminal Hz (with KK Null from Japan) and the electric free jazz group Embers.  Brown has developed a vocabulary that runs the gamut from rock bassist through experimental guitarist to sound artist. His solo project, Candlesnuffer, melds electro-acoustic methods with noise music, often utilising tiny acoustic sounds which are massively amplified. Currently Brown is undertaking a PhD research project investigating the use and benefits of electronic music and field recordings within a hospital Emergency Department.

Dead Ringers with Steve Roche 

Jeff Henderson (alto saxophone), Gerard Crewdson (tuba/trombone) and Anthony Donaldson (drums) with multi-instrumentalist Steve Roche. ...cosmic golden rays of infinite dimensions the flight patterns of birds the elegant underwater journeys of dolphins wind blowing leaves on an autumn day filled withbluster a boiling jug and many quardle ardles crushing nuts and splitting atoms spitting ducks...

Music and Artists' Social Club October

2011-09-28T00:41:00.000-07:00

Wednesday October 5th 8.30 pm $5

The first Wednesday of every Month at Happy Musicians and artists get together to show what they've been working on, discus music and art, and drink a little booze.

This Month

Andrew Savage,
The Devil You Don't,
Malcolm Menzies,
I Am The Light,
The Foxtons.

Vinyl Friday - September

2011-09-27T11:31:00.000-07:00

Friday September 30th 5.30 - 8.30 fre entry

After a noncing about in the countryside last month, Vinyl Friday is returning to the urban wasteland with a vengeance.

MICHELLE HARRIS will be working though what she alarmingly refers to as "Alcotunes - Music to Drink By". We're talking Velvets, Lou Reed, 70s Bowie and 80s semi-greats The Tourists (yes that IS Annie Lennox.) You could quibble about the drug of choice for that lot, but not the quality. For modernity's sake she'll be introducing me at least to Joe Worricker, the new soul wunderkind with the slightly androgynous voice.

MICHAEL KRUEGER has a frightening collection of 80s hardcore on vinyl, which is all right because it was kinda supposed to be frightening. And as everyone knows, the 80s were all about Straight Edge, DIY and crashing vans. Hair gel doesn't work on a shaved head. This is your chance to reacquaint yourself with Flipper and the Angry Samoans.

The footie's not on until 8.30 (I hope there are no Angry Samoans after that one) so join me in receiving a decent musical education this Friday:

33&a3rd The Rhythm Hawks, Terror of the Deep

2011-09-21T15:01:00.000-07:00

Friday October 21st 8 pm $5

33&a3rd

Join the Rhythm Hawks at HAPPY, with records.

Bring along a record for the swap-meet, enjoy listening to records, eat a piece of the record shaped cake and try to set the world record for good-times.

You could even get yourself a limited edition Rhythm Hawks CD record-ing.

Blue Moon, The pickups, The flying sorcerers

2011-09-21T14:37:00.001-07:00

Thursday October 20th Doors at 8 pm $5

The Pickups

http://www.myspace.com/thepickupsnz

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Pickups/51361424261

http://thepickupsnz.bandcamp.com/album/finally-the-pickups

"...you have to cringe when you realize they shouldn’t have bothered...you get the feeling that if they’d spent half the time they have listening to music actually learning how to write songs and play in time they might have made it a little farther. Shame really." - Jim Bevington, Is This Music? fanzine, Linlithgow, Scotland, July 2010

The Blue Moon

Christchurch band ‘The Blue Moon’ formed in mid 2010 with songwriter Anthony Pascoe (vocals, guitar) being joined by David Clark (bass, guitar) and Mike Summerfield (drums). Influenced by Roy Orbison, Neil Young and Radiohead amongst others – a ‘Dream Pop’, ‘Slowcore’, ‘Alt Country’ sound was created likened to Galaxy 500. After playing several shows in Christchurch they recorded their first EP ‘Slide Down’ in the summer of ’10-’11. Jared Kelly (The Pickups) has recently joined the band on bass.

Links:

Songs: www.myspace.com/thebluemoonnz

EP Review: www.nzmusician.co.nz/index.php/ps_pagename/album/pi_albumid/1709

Bandpage: www.facebook.com/pages/The-Blue-Moon/141360295909796

Eric Copeland (US from Black Dice), Orchestra Of Spheres, Droszkhi

2011-09-20T01:55:00.000-07:00

Thursday October 13th 8.30 pm $10

Altmusic is proud to present Eric Copeland as part of Altmusic's programme of exciting & innovative international musicians touring New Zealand in 2011.

Well known as a member of Providence noiseniks Black Dice and sonic travellers Terrestrial Tones (with Avey Tare from Animal Collective), Eric Copeland’s solo work has carved its own path in hypnogogic sonic navigation. Copeland collages his fuzzy pop nuggets from out-of-kilter thrift-store loops and electronic scratch ’n’ sniff - constructing a compelling sound-world that’s both catchy and exploratory.

“While both he and Black Dice employ dragnet sound collages and splattered sampling, Eric Copeland's solo material emphasizes destroyed rhythms and mechanical atmosphere. The end result is a vague and wholly fucked version of dance music.“ - Altered Zones

“Copeland is a pop idiot savant let loose in the mad scientific library of a Smile-era Brian Wilson.“ - Guardian

Currently based in New York, Black Dice have been key figures in the distinctly flavoured psychedelic audio/visual culture emanating from Providence Rhode Island since forming in 1997 - releasing their sounds via Astralwerks, Paw Tracks and DFA. With Black Dice Copeland has collaborated with Wolf Eyes and forms half of the duo Terrestrial Tones. Releasing solo works via Paw Tracks and Escho Records since 2003, Copeland’s acclaimed releases include the Hermaphodite, Alien In A Garbage Dump, Strange Days and Waco Taco Combo albums. He was recently selected by Animal Collective to perform at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival in May 2011.

Stone Candy, A Crowley Murder

2011-09-19T16:08:00.001-07:00

Wednesday September 28th 8 pm koha

Stone Candy are a three-piece instrumental rock band from Wellington, New Zealand. Through exploration into the depths of sound, they create a vivid sonic landscape with their enigmatic playing style.

A Crowley Murder is a four piece ensemble forged in Nelson, New Zealand. Consisting of sexually personified guitar riff's coupled with sweet blues basslines and chocolate vocals, their hooks will leave you humming.

Volcana, Terror of the Deep, WIlliam John Hooker

2011-09-19T16:04:00.000-07:00

Saturday September 24th 9 pm $5

Volcana are a 2-piece garage rock band from Wellington.

Formed about 5 years ago. Influences include: The Gun Club, The

Ramones, The Cramps, Darcy Clay, Ween, heavy 60's psychedelic rock,

garage rock.

Solo Ono are also a 2-piece band from Wellington. They have been described as

'dynamic guitar pop'. Influences include:

Jesus and Mary Chain, lykke Li, Piece war, Coasting.

WIlliam John Hooker plays the Bad Blues are a three piece from

Wellington

Tommy and The Fallen Horses, Jesse Sheehan, Finn Castree

2011-09-12T15:48:00.000-07:00

Friday September 23rd 8.30 $10

Tommy and The Fallen Horses is an Alt-Country, Indie-Pop and Folk-Rock flavored band featuring singer-songwriter Tommy Benefield.

Benefield rose to infamy around the New Zealand music scene with his group TOMMY headlining many festivals, getting several singles on high rotate on the indie and b-net radio stations and with their two albums released through LOOP Records making it onto the indie charts. Their album 4000 YEARS features on the sound track to Shortland St on a weekly basis.

TOMMY became festival darlings with their high energy performances, beautiful melodies, evocative lyrics and hilarious banter.

When TOMMY disbanded the remaining replacement members released their new album under the name Tommy and The Fallen Horses which had a new aesthetic and a 70’s country-rock sound.

Their Debut album ‘Isolation Is The New Party’ has received rave reviews, had several songs receive major airplay on radio and T.V, and featured on the New Zealand indie charts. Songs from this album have featured on Shortland St, Home And Away, and Outrageous Fortune.

Tommy tours relentlessly both with the full band and as a duet with his ridiculously articulate 19-year-old side kick, the bands lead guitarist, Finn Johansson.

PARIHAKA is being released in September and features the contentious and highly relevant single PARIHAKA, made popular at the Parihaka Peace Festival.

facebook event

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=214666945249970

Jesse Sheehan

http://www.myspace.com/jessesheehanandthefamily

Finn Castree

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1697542061

James and the Players, Neighbourhood Cat

2011-09-06T18:48:00.000-07:00

Wednesday September 14th 8 pm $5

Come along to Happy Bar on Wednesday 14th September for a taste of Soft Rock and catchy tunes with James and the Players. Formed earlier this year by singer/songwriter James Player, James and the Players offers listeners a collection of songs that tug on the heart strings, salvage old memories and feed the soul. Combined with the folk rock sounds of Neighbourhood Cat, this gig will be your perfect midweek escape.

Rutger and Wendy, Ladyparts

2011-09-05T18:18:00.000-07:00

Thursday September 22nd 9 pm free entry

LADY PARTS!
http://www.facebook.com/ILoveLadyParts

DIVING!
https://www.facebook.com/divingtheband
http://vimeo.com/divingtheband
http://soundcloud.com/divingtheband

RUTGER & WENDY!
http://rutgerandwendy.blogspot.com/

Oskar Herbig, Dylan Storey, Brendan Turner, Callum Gentleman

2011-09-05T02:15:00.000-07:00

Thursday September 8th 8 pm $10

The Gig before The Storm

Oskar Herbig

Dylan Storey

Brendan Turner

Callum Gentleman

The calm before the storm....?

On Friday 9th September the world (yes the whole world) starts throwing oval balls about.

So get into Happy on Thursday 8th Sept & get into some music before that carry-on kicks off.

OSKAR HERBIG will be laying down some sexy Americana sounds.

DYLAN STOREY will let your ears know why half the bands north of the Rimutaka Hills want him to hang out & play with them at their gigs.

Plus BRENDAN TURNER & CALLUM GENTLEMAN will be playing The Capital for the 1st time as solo cats.

The Dickens vs Coney Island Swamp Monster

2011-09-05T02:01:00.000-07:00

Thursday September 15th 8 pm $5

Ladies and Gentlemen!

In the red corner weighing in at one Rod Stewart haircut, a pair of spectacles, a glazed smile, and an angels voice, Wellington's finest & freshest fucked up folk act: CONEY ISLAND SWAMP MONSTER! Fast becoming my favourite band, watch as they attack with the one two kick drum combo. Be caught off guard as Rupert summons the dead through his guitar and Meghan lays them to rest with her devasting harmonies and soothes them back to the grave with the effortless beauty of her violin melodies. Stand in awe as Finbarr confounds us all with his multi instrumental magic...like Smeagol and Gollum, banjo and accordian. And then the knock out punch as Liam croons through his absolutely disarming and moving set of songs dredged from the swamp of his soul. Teetering on the edge. Fragile and furious in the same breathe. In love and broken hearted. I am down forthe count...

…And Justice For All - Meat, Blackjack, Original Flame, Manikk Jamm, Girl Lillian

2011-09-04T16:54:00.001-07:00

Wednesday September 7th 9 pm $5

For This month's music and artists' social club Happy is playing host to a Mini Festival, with 5 bands prepared to make the night one to remember...

BIKINI ROULETTE and ROBERT!

2011-09-01T03:23:00.000-07:00

Friday September 9th $5 Doors from 8 pm bands start at 10 pm.

"It had to happen - and now, at last: Two of the citie's most exciting new bands are going to tear it to pieces, side by side at HAPPY on September 9th!

BIKINI ROULETTE: the new rock/r&b, gutter-funk sensation - and the psychedelic rock country blues folk Explosion that is ROBERT!"

Vinyl Friday - August

2011-08-23T02:53:00.000-07:00

Friday 26 August 5.30pm free entry

Vinyl Friday is back this... er... Friday, with a theme of Punk Old & New.

OK, that's just a semantic trick to link the disparate themes of this month's five-star selectors, but if anyone can construct a more plausible Venn diagram between protopunk and English folk music I'd be grateful. Playing for your amusement and education this month are:

KEITH ALDERSLEY

Keith intends to take us back to the roots of punk with a selection that involves not just the famously unfamous (New York Dolls, Stooges, Television) but the genuinely obscure (Doctors of Madness, Eddie and the Hot Rods, Radio Birdman). Lovers of conceptually robust primitivism (i.e. me) will be in seventh heaven.

PATRICK VELVIN

Patrick will be unearthing crucial tunelets from the vaults of the English folk/rock scene of the 60s and 70s, with occasional forays to the colonies for a bit of perspective. It's a reminder that there was a time when holding a finger in your ear and trying to sing like a hobbit was quite a rock and roll thing to do. Led Zeppelin thought so anyway.

Fuyuko's Fabels, City Oh Sigh, Ben

2011-08-19T02:06:00.000-07:00

Thursday September 1st 8.30 pm $5

Fuyukos Fables and City Oh Sigh join together at happy for an evening of some of wellingtons finest music,

City Oh Sigh is a trio of classically-trained musicians that carefully crafts soulful songs, capturing audiences with their softness and beauty. The band combines unique instrumentation with subtle elements of folk and minimalist pop to emerge with a sound that is both difficult to categorise yet warmly familiar.

Fuyukos Fables currently playing as a five piece bring new tunes, fresh faces, extra noises and more voices. With lush arrangements and heavy on the vocals fuyuko's fables are a mix of folk,country and rock that come together in simple easy songs. BEN opens up the night playing his beautifully spacious and introspective acoustic tunes .

$5 on the door doors at half Eight
http://fuyukosfables.tumblr.com/
http://www.cityohsigh.com/
http://fellowcreator.bandcamp.com/album/free-from-fear

Grasshopper Presents Tom Martin, Richard Prowse, Karen Jaine, Joseph Jujnovich

2011-08-19T02:02:00.000-07:00

Wednesday August 31st 8 pm $5

The Grasshopper Presents

Acoustica

Great local talent on stage for this night of original acoustic material. Come check out some of Wellington's undiscovered musical gems in the relaxed and fun atmosphere at Happy.

Richard Prowse is a double bass soloist who plays improvised jazz standards, world music and original pieces. He achieves a cello like sound with the bow and his unaccompanied pieces have quite a unique sound.

Karen Jaine brings to the stage a set of acoustic melodic songs with heartfelt emotive lyrics, instrumented with a sultry powerful voice her mix of country folk pop will have your toes tapping and your hearts breaking.

Tom Martin plays folk sounds with rock and roll influences set to songs of yearning and tall tales. Love of telling stories and creating personal mythologies blends into acoustic balladeering. Shades of Dylan, Lou Reed, Neil Young and randomness. Jumps around a lot.

Joseph Jujnovich plays funky, quirky pop fused with rap/spoken word and performance poetry. He loves to tell stories and rock the stage with his twelve string guitar.

Alda Rezende Quintet

2011-08-18T20:55:00.000-07:00

The Last Thursday of every month. 9 pm $10

Featuring heavy weight players; Lucien Johnson, Jon Rae, Patrick Bleakly and Noel Clayton.

In her home country of Brazil, Alda Rezende is something of a household name. Her career has been a mix of all manner of music styles including jazz, bossa nova, samba, classics, electronic music and pop – she can do them all! From being the soloist singer of an opera accompanied by a symphonic orchestra, to singing alongside some of the most traditional old style samba groups in Brazil.

In New Zealand, Alda has Worked Wellingtons Jazz circuit and recently appeared on Loops O.E. Brazil album.

Souled Out - Northern Soul and Ska

2011-08-13T02:10:00.000-07:00

Friday August 26th Koha Entry
Right after Vinyl Friday

Monica Yoeman, and Zoe Cook

2011-08-13T02:00:00.000-07:00

Wednesday August 17th 8 pm $5

Two girls experimenting

with folk, alt country and a touch of blue grass. Playing both solo and teaming up together. Bringing with them a cellist, a violinist, a rhythm section and some funky guitar.

Come and enjoy a Wednesday night of female musicianship (with a few guys thrown in for good measure) and some good vibes.

Killing Bear, The Lost Boys, and Mangle and Gruff

2011-08-13T01:52:00.000-07:00

Saturday September 10th Door 9pm Bands 9.45pm $10

Killing Bear began stunning

crowds around Wellington in early 2010

with their high energy live shows,

original, quirky and wildly rocking tunes and videos. Now a year after releasing their

debut self produced album, Wild Beasts, Killing Bear are excited to give you their new

EP Rebirth.

Rebirth is not your average run of the mill EP, it's much more than that. It's both EP and

comic book, with the music reflecting the story and the story reflecting the music. The

comic is illustrated by Cormac, the singer/guitarist of the band. The comic tells a story

about a man by the name of Frank Williams and how he becomes tangled in an epic

adventure with the ghost of an ancient warrior who goes by the name of Killing Bear. The

music on Rebirth has elements reminiscent of an audio book as well as having epic

rocking songs intertwined. The comic and the audio together will give you an experience

you have never seen occur in rock history before.

KILLING BEAR are:

-CORMAC FERRIS guitar/lead vocals

-ZACK DREDGE keys/vocals

-TIA MICHAEL HUNKIN BEAUFORT drums/vocals

Thndercub, Blue Onsies, The Boxcar Rattle

2011-08-08T03:59:00.000-07:00

SATURDAY AUGUST 20th 9 pm $10

Thundercub is a three-piece sound machine from Dunedin, whose aural assault has its origins in the math-minded

electro-noise spectrum. If it were ever biologically possible (c’mon science!) to create a bastard love-child of Final

Fantasy VII, Battles, HDU, string theory & The Mars Volta; Robert Christgau would implode,

the space-time continuum would be torn another one and you may come close to Thundercub.

Thundercub has been churning out space-grunge since 2009, bewildering audiences

with their operatic ear-worms built on complex guitar loops, drum beats and synthesized oddities.

Thundercub release their 5-track debut EP "Thundercub" this August seeing them return to the North Island for the ﬁrst

time since CALH2011. The first single and music video "Falcor" premieres online at http://www.undertheradar.co.nz/

August 15th, free to download, although they will never match the grand intensity of their live show.

Friday August 12th Kittentank, the Raskolnikovs, Terror of the deep and Volcana

2011-08-06T16:40:00.000-07:00

Friday August 12th 9 pm $5

Poetry in Motion Ken Arkind and Carrie Rudzinski USA

2011-08-06T15:54:00.000-07:00

Wednesday August 24th $10 or $5 concession

First off, forget what you thought you knew when you heard the word....poetry.

Two of America's finest performance poets are about to descend upon the Coolest Little Capital in the World and engulf us in a whirlwind of words and wonder!

This is poetry like you have never seen it before.

Ken Arkind and Carrie Rudzinski, with local performers Micah Timona Ferris, Ali Jacs and Duncan Hope (all spoken word artists/performance poets)

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=197653236955804

French for Rabbits, Hula Hope

2011-08-06T15:25:00.000-07:00

Thursday August 18th 8pm. $10

French for Rabbits are a dream folk duo based in the valleys of Wellington, New Zealand. Since they crept shyly into the open in February 2011 they have brought a few tears to the eyes of listeners and tried ever so hard to not have shakey knees on stage. Brooke Singer used to write songs for the new-folk group 'Ragamuffin Children' and John worries about the future, and plays guitar.

To raise some funds for their upcoming E.P release they are holding this special concert for which they will provide biscuits and other treats. They will be joined by the lovely Hula Hope on the night.

An Old-Timey Harmony Thing - Presented by Pappy O'Daniel Flour'

2011-07-29T15:43:00.000-07:00

Friday August 5th 8 pm $10

Saran Goldie-Anderson (solo), Other, Coney Island Swamp Monster, Wellington City Shake-‘em-on-downers

Hollaback! launch with Moana Ete, Porcelaintoy, Sisters of St Rupertsberg

2011-07-25T02:59:00.000-07:00

Saturday August 13th 8 pm $10

We’ve got your back!

Hollaback! is an international movement to end street harassment through web and mobile technology. We collect stories and experiences of street harassment from women and LGBTQ folks in a safe and shareable way so that we can break the silence around this form of gender-based violence and have each others backs.

To kick off the launch of our website we are celebrating a gig featuring soul lady Moana Ete, electro folk act porcelaintoy and 8 piece all girl wonder band the Sisters of St Rupertsberg. Please join us to celebrate the launch of Hollaback! Wellington! enjoy the beats, and don’t forget to HOLLABACK!

Wives, Project H, Space Cake

2011-07-25T02:54:00.000-07:00

Thursday August 4th 8 pm Free Entry

Wives:

Wives, formerly known as The Entwives, are a 4-piece psychedelic pop band based in Wellington.

http://theentwives.bandcamp.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wives/133042746775994

Project H:

A guitar-oriented solo project which sounds spacey and atmospheric, but also jangly and minimal. Vocals are mostly spoken-word, and a delay pedal acts as a centre-piece.

http://projecth.co.nz/

http://www.facebook.com/projecthnz

Space Cake:

Dark Casio synth-pop with pitch-shifting and ambient glitch beats.

http://spacecake1.bandcamp.com/

Vital Sounds - Winter Warmer

2011-07-25T02:49:00.000-07:00

Saturday August 6th 8 pm til Late $5

Yes REGGAE REVIVIAL is back for part 5! Presenting the best in Jamaican

music & soundsystem culture - Reggae music the way it's meant to be!

Hotter than hot ska, rocksteady, reggae and dub all inna old-school

fashion!!

Featuring - Manray, DJ Art, Undercover, Hawk I, and Israel Starr.

Our Vital Sounds revival sessions are loads of fun! This one is going to

warm ya body! Happy is a great venue for a party... so get along!

Make it a date! - get the word out people & support!

Music and Artists Social Club August

2011-07-20T19:15:00.000-07:00

Wednesday August 3rd 8.30 $5
Malcolm Menzies

Rose Duxfield - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rose-Deschamps/6096189268

Louisianna - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Louisianna/160449037357545

Scott Roy

Girl Lillian

Vinyl Friday COUNTRY MUSIC'S WORST NIGHTMARE

2011-07-14T16:58:00.000-07:00

COUNTRY MUSIC'S WORST NIGHTMARE 5.30 - 8.30. Free Entry

Vinyl Friday is back on the 29th with a plan cooked up by GREG COBB and ROWAN MACARTHUR to doctor the water supply in Music City. An attempt to restore some level of respectability to country music and Tex-Mex will find shape and form on vinyl with:

Greg and Rowan will digging in for the Gettysburg of musical showdowns in an attempt to wrest control of Nashville back from Faith Hill's hair stylist. Real country music doesn't espouse family values or do reps at the gym. It drives its ride-on lawnmower 5 miles to the nearest bar because it's wife has hidden the booze and taken the car keys.

Pseudorobustus, Full Fucking Moon, Rain Sluts

2011-07-14T16:53:00.000-07:00

Friday July 29th 10 pm

Pseudorobustus’ art-metal prog stew includes ambient piano and ostentatiously symphonic synths, guitar churn and breakneck riffage, drums alternately driving the song and swirling around it, and the vocals include both a haunting female presence and hoarsely ‘-core

male ones. The five-piece Auckland group include Liz Maw and Andrew McLeod, whose Darwin-inspired kraut-metal band Evil Ocean’s self-titled album was one of last year’s more rewarding full-lengths, Greta May Welson of Newtown and countless other bands, and Anna and Mike Benedikter. From Somme to Detrytus to Black Boned Angel, there’s plenty of local bands providing alchemical blends of metal riffs and noise drones at various points along the stoner/doom axis – Pseudorobustus are touring the country in late July, and I’m sure

they’ll be playing with some interesting acts.

http://thecorner.co.nz/2011/05/26/awesome-feeling-5-pseudorobustus-so-toward-our-myths-oblivion/

pseudorobustus.bandcamp.com

Luckless, The Body Lyre, Great North, What Noisy Cats

2011-07-14T02:24:00.000-07:00

Friday August 19th 9 pm $10

In months like August, only the most foolhardy or the most brave venture south instead of north. Despite this, the pull of the mythical winds of Wellington bring two Auckland-based bands down to the welcoming warmth of Happy Bar, joined by friends old and new to entice audiences out of their homes.

Locals What Noisy Cats write country/folk influenced songs and then infuse them with a healthy dose of rock to make them, well, just a little bit noisy. Fun and upbeat and definitely not to be missed, What Noisy Cats are fast making a name for themselves around the traps as writers of fantastic songs and purveyors of fun times.

Great North will appear as a two-piece - a rare incarnation of this usual five-piece act that enchants with the intimacy and directness of their beautifully crafted songs. Hayden Donnell and Rachel Harrison will bringing both new material and songs already familiar from their debut album 'Newfoundland' in their first visit to the capital since their album release tour in 2010.

The brooding pathos of Luckless revisits Happy for the second time this winter, sending metaphorical electrical sparks from their guitar-and-drums two-piece line up. The minimalism of the line-up belies the astonishing volume Luckless creates on stage, belting out indie-rock energy that subsides into melancholic reflection and then roars back with astonishing swiftness.

After enchanting with the gradual release of their new album Escape Songs, the ever-rotating cast of The Body Lyre will be a beautiful cap to this evening of fine music. With their stark, lush, minimalist music, The Body Lyre shy away from trends, and with Escape Songs have crafted an album that truly stands apart from the many fad-following bands that flood the industry.

Tickets are available at www.undertheradar.com, or can be bought on the door on the night. Bands will be playing from 9.30pm. Happy will be a haven from the cold and the wind on a potentially otherwise colourless August night.

more luckless

http://flavors.me/soluckless

http://www.myspace.com/soluckless

http://luckless.bandcamp.com

http://www.facebook.com/soluckless

http://twitter.com/soluckless

Annabel Fay Show Me The Right Way Tour

2011-07-14T01:55:00.000-07:00

Saturday August 27th 8 pm $25

ZM & JUICE TV PRESENT

SHOW ME THE RIGHT WAY TOUR 2011

Having released her second album ‘Show Me The Right Way’ in April this year, which debuted at # 8 on the RIANZ chart and features the hit singles ‘Show Me The Right Way’ and ‘River’. Both have spent numerous weeks in the singles charts and are frequenting the top airplay charts and ‘River’ has been certified GOLD. Check out the videos for ‘River’ here and ‘Show Me The Right Way’ here.

Annabel Fay’s unique pop-soul voice, a fresh sound on the NZ music scene and it is this distinctive sound that Annabel is going to take to the stage as she prepares to set out on a nationwide tour this August. ZM & Juice TV are proud to present the Show Me The Right Way Tour 2011.

Annabel will be joined by pop singer songwriter Josh Leys. This will be an opportunity to witness a powerful performance set alight by a mix of pop, soul and dance with R&B flavours and Annabel’s sultry voice.

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM www.eventfinder.co.nz

S.A.M.P.L.E

2011-07-11T15:15:00.000-07:00

Thursday July 28th

8 pm $5

S.A.M.P.L.E

Some Artists Making Performance Laboratory Experiments

S.A.M.P.L.E is a collective of performance artists working in dance, movement, theatre, sound and visual arts, experimenting and testing out ideas and concepts in site specific productions. It is a monthly platform that offers us a space to trial works in progress, perform, play, sketch and collaborate.

This months installment features works by Alana Yee, Sascha Perfect, Samin Son, Drums Dead, Cat Duval, Danielle Lindsay, Chris Prosser, Jaime Cortes and Aidan Grealish.

The Transistors, No Aloha

2011-07-10T15:51:00.000-07:00

Thursday July 21st 9 pm $5

The Transistors are coming up from Christchurch to smash it at Happy.

The Lost Boys, The Boxcar Rattle, The Shocking and Stunning, Rupert and Grace

2011-07-10T15:26:00.000-07:00

Saturday July 16th
8 pm $5

Ladies and gentlemen, Home Brew Productions in association with Red Hog Entertainment Presents...

The Lost Boys

http://www.facebook.com/Th eLostBoysBand?ref=ts

http://vimeo.com/19624105

The Boxcar Rattle

http://www.facebook.com/pa ges/The-Boxcar-Rattle/1923 67830801116

http://soundcloud.com/fact ory-child/who-is-god-in-th is-picture

Rupert and Grace

No-Way Sweden AK, Grieve Pde Melb, Glass Vaults and i.ryoko

2011-07-10T14:30:00.000-07:00

Saturday July 30th 9 pm $5

Wellington bands Glass Vaults and i.ryoko join up with Aucklanders No-way Sweden and Melbourne's Grieve Pde for a night of music saturated with reverb and delays and sliced into loops and grabs. Grieve Pde are post rock and loud, No-way Sweden is attempting some psychedelic ukulele action.

http://www.myspace.com/gri evepde

http://www.nowaysweden.com /

http://iryoko.bandcamp.com /

http://glassvaults.bandcam p.com/

No-way Sweden

The 500$Limit project was set up to release super limited releases of bands spread throughout the world

which then creates a network of like minded musicians willing to help each other expand beyond their own

horizons.

New Zealand group, No-way Sweden was the first release on the project. The music captured on the EP

“Denmark, Finland” ranged from fragmented pop to indietronica to post rock which seemed a fitting variety to

start the project. The EP was a story of two halves. The main ideas were written by David St. who then sent

the half finished songs to friends in Australia and Europe to complete before it was mixed and mastered by

Casey Rice (Tortoise and other Thrill Jockey / Chicago bands).

Recently, the songs have been based around the ukulele which is more about necessity than jumping on the

bandwagon as it fits inside a suitcase for planned travels and tours around the world. Other things that also fit

inside that suitcase are delay, reverb and phaser pedals which have recently earnt No-way Sweden the title of

“Psychedelic Ukulele” in a live review.

David St. usually has grand ideas before each gig (ie. quadraphonic sound / choirs / Scottish bagpipes / a

giant claw shaped stage 360 degrees style) but as he leaves things till the last minute, he usually ends up

having to play with a sampler and a ukulele and fill in time by telling a story or two. There is always some

aspect of live electronics to the shows but it seems the closer the gigs are to home, the more electronic

equipment there is on stage.

Gigs

28/07/2011 – Audio Foundation, Auckland with Grieve Pde and Toy Triptech

30/07/2011 – Happy Bar, Wellington with Glass Vaults, Grieve Pde and i.ryoko

01/08/2011 – Electric Sounds Club, Camden, London with Life of Birds, NOW and Mirna Ray

07/08/2011 – Arkaoda Bar, Istanbul, Turkey

http://www.nowaysweden.com

http://www.500dollarlimit.com

Grieve Pde Bio

Grieve Pde don't really write songs. If you like experimental loop-rovisation, soundtracks, minimalism, delay pedals and men in trio's, Grieve Pde are probably for you. Described by father-in-laws as "sci-fidelity post-rock". Described by mother-in-laws as "loud sometimes". Mostly instrumental but found singing if required. They can often be found playing the same instrument at the same time, or playing completely different instruments at completely different times. They are currently recording under the 500$Limit label but we think the best way to really hear them is by standing in front of them as they play to a room full of strangers. Includes members of The Paper Boat, Save Our Sharks and Traditional Names.

Glass Vaults

Born in rural Manawatu this fine pair met at University in Wellington where they began musical experimentation using looping and effects to merge guitar, vocal hooks, synthesizers and drums into a beautiful space of washed textures, pop sensibilities and cutting drum rhythms.

i.ryoko

i.ryoko is also a member of 100 Suns and the Seth Frightening band. Other past involvements include The Enright House and A Flight to Blackout, both of whom are still active.

Cool Gigs coming up this week

2011-07-08T23:25:00.000-07:00

Saturday 09/07 Luckless, The Vietnam War, D Burmester, Big River Chain 9 pm

Sunday July 10/07 Jazz with the troubles 8.30

Wednesday 13/07 Project H, Space Cake, ROKCP 8 pm

Friday 15/07 The Blue Onesies, The Entwives, and Diving 9 pm

Saturday 16/07 The Lost Boys, Boxcar Rattle, Shadow Blasters, Rupert and Grace 9 pm

Acoustic music nights with The Grasshopper

2011-07-07T16:33:00.000-07:00

Wednesday July 27th 8 pm $5

Chris Manning aka SimpleHarmonicMotion, singer/songwriter plays acoustic original music, from Nelson, Lives in wellington, spent the last 2 years living and playing regularly in Melbourne at places like the Espy. Influences include: Billy corgan, tom york, John butler, Ben Harper, Kurt cobain, Eddie Vedder, Trent reznor. http://www.myspace.com/simpillharmonicmotion

Tom Martin plays folk sounds with rock and roll influences, set to songs of yearning and tall tales. Love of telling stories and creating personal mythologies blends into acoustic balladeering. Shades of Dylan, Lou Reed, Neil Young and randomness. Jumps around a lot.

Mahesh works around Wellington with cover bands and originals. His solo performances see him on the guitar and harmonica singing his original brand of acoustic indie.

A protege of the renowned Iowa school of creative writing, Lee Posna is from New Jersey and lives on the Kapati coast. He loves literature and is almost always seen with his head in a book. His poetry is rich, dark and intelligent.

The Blue Onesies, The Entwives, and Diving

2011-07-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

Saturday 15th of July 9 pm

$5 or $10 with an EP or $12 with both EPs.

To listen to some of the blue onesies music: www.theblueonesies.bandcamp.com

To listen to some of the entwives music: www.myspace.com/theentwives

Len Todac, Shiny Sounding, Capsul, Wires

2011-07-07T00:29:00.000-07:00

Friday July 22nd 8.30 $5

Project H, Space Cake, ROKCP

2011-07-07T00:24:00.000-07:00

Wednesday July 13th 8 pm free entry

Project H:

A guitar-oriented solo project which sounds spacey and atmospheric, but also jangly and minimal. Vocals are mostly spoken-word, and a delay pedal acts as a centre-piece.

Space Cake:

Dark Casio synth-pop with pitch-shifting and ambient glitch beats.

ROKCP:

ROKCP are a dynmaic 4 piece band who journey far and beyond the notion of genre and pretention, they are essentially 4 indiuviduals who possess their own intentions and sounds, nonetheless they sound as one. They have been described as "21st century sharmanic jazz"..

Project H website:

Space Cake Bandcamp:

Nick Stone and Guests

2011-07-07T00:17:00.000-07:00

Wednesday July 20th 8 pm $5

“New Zealand Singer/Songwriter Nick Stone has finished his debut EP titled One Wish, and now he's touring across the South Island to promote it, kicking things off in the Capital (not exactly the south island, but close enough). As Nick will be heading over to the states at the end of August, this will be your last chance to see him before he buggers off. So come down to The One Wish EP Release, Wednesday July 20^th from 8 at Happy (corner Vivian and Tory), for a great night of Singer/Songwriters - featuring Nick Stone, Tanydd Jaquet and many more. $5 entry on the door.”

Nick on Face Book

Luckless, The Vietnam War, D Burmester, Big River Chain

2011-06-22T21:28:00.000-07:00

Saturday July 9th Doors from 8 pm $10

Music and Artists Social Club

2011-06-22T20:43:00.000-07:00

Wednesday July 6th $5

The first Wednesday of every Month at Happy Musicians and artists get together to show what they've been working on, discus music and art, and drink a little booze.

This Month: Nick Swanson, I am the Light, Kath McBeat, Gold Medal Famous, Manik Jamm.

Freddy Fudd Pucker, Danny Cisco, Big River Chain

2011-06-22T20:11:00.000-07:00

Friday July 1st 8 pm $8

Freddy Fudd Pucker began in 2006 as an eclectic solo act (Tom Young) in the punk rock

scene of North Dunedin and has gained momentum and fans worldwide on a truly

organic, honest level; driven by an astonishing work ethic and equipped with song writing

that successfully avoids egotistical self-indulgence some solo acts embrace.

He was joined in 2009 by Texan accordionist/vocalist “The Whippy-Dip” while on tour

in the USA. Since then the pair have spent large amounts of the last year and a half

performing countless shows across the entire United States, from Los Angeles, California

to Deadwood, South Dakota. Brooklyn, New York to Portland, Oregon. Cigar bars, house

shows and tacos… Living in a stinking hot van for months on end with nothing but album

sales to buy cheap, malt liquor to get you drunk.

Following 2010’s “One for the Wonderwheel”, they have just released the fourth full-length

album entitled “The Priest, the Fly & the Flea”. A collection of 13 dark folk songs sprinkled

with cynical humor and intricate melodies. A pounding kick drum, guitar and accordion

accompany the brooding, male/female vocal dynamic.

In February the duo played at the “Camp A Low Hum” festival in New Zealand before

returning to Melbourne, Australia where they continue to write and perform tirelessly.

May sees them embark on a two-week tour of New Zealand, hitting all their favorite spots

before returning to the USA to tour, starting in Austin, TX.

MarineVille, Stefanimal, Solo ono

2011-06-22T01:23:00.000-07:00

Friday July 8th 9 pm $5

MarineVille present their brand new 12" Vinyl LP of NZ New Wave rock entitled FOWL SWOOP; Stefanimal presents glorious post-Cocteau Twins solo synth; Solo Ono debut as a 2 piece surf-rock combo hailing from halfway between Wellington and Wanganui.

Check their nice video here

FOWL SWOOP is latest album from MarineVille. Each vinyl LP boasts a cover hand-screenprinted by the band themselves.http://marinevillenz.bandcamp.com/ "It's almost like the greats of alt-rock and new-wave have come together, asked Marineville to perform their tracks, and add that Flying-Nun, Dunedin sound to them." Dunedinmusic.com

Stefanimal - "Like Pet Shop Boys high on nitrous. A sensitive, ethereal keyboard driven singer/songwriter adventure - intelligent lyricism, new-wave/new romantic/electro-pop angst underneath a haunting alter-boy-on-smack voice...perhaps goth, perhaps too subtle to be goth" - Crude

Surf, rock, pop 2 piece Solo ono are a Wellington band that formed in Feb 2011,

Frank Eggleton(Vox, gat) and Jordan Stewart(drums, BVs) have just recorded

their debut Ep called Space monster... It was engineered(and is being mixed)

by Warner Emery at Spacer monster in Whanganui in early June, a 5 track

cd will be available at the Happy show!! Influences include: Jesus and the

mary chain, Best coast, Coasting and the Pixies!!

Destroy The Night, The Lost Boys

2011-06-22T00:57:00.000-07:00

Wednesday 29th of June, 9pm Free Entry

Alternative Rock band Destroy The Night will be playing live at Happy Bar. Playing a set of their latest originals. Visit them at www.destroythenight.com to get a taste before the gig. On the night they will also be supported by special guests. Come for an awesome night of live rock.

Twinset

2011-06-21T02:52:00.000-07:00

Thursday July 23rd

Twinset are back with their Afro-Pacific-Calypso-Latin-Welly-Roots-Soul-Rhythm & Blues Jazz.

Paul, Dan, and Chris still making ace music together after 12 years, six albums, some award winning music videos, many festivals, and thousands of gigs.

Check out some videos here, here, and here.

They'll be playing all your old Twinset favourites.

Vinyl Friday for June

2011-06-20T04:00:00.000-07:00

Friday June 24th 5.30 free entry

THE 80s ARE BACK! (... and they promise not to do it again.)

We've groaned our way through one dodgy revival after another, but finally Vinyl Friday is setting the cultural world to rights. We're putting the 1980s into rehab. We're confiscating its shoulder pads, trimming its poodle hair and wiping the coke residue off its nose. While everyone else in the 80s was watching Bonnie Tyler run down hallways in slo-mo or attempting to program their Yamaha DX-7, some brave souls were listening to actual music. That music has been one-upped by A-Ha for far too long, and this Friday it gets its revenge (customarily pronounced "re-weng-gay" by 80s obsessives.) So who's playing?

THE WHORES OF WAX: Richard Langston and Yours Truly will man a deck each in order to dilute each other's taste and allow more time for beers. Both of us have considerable 80s form involving Flying Nun and SST, although we're not quite sure how this will manifest on the night. Remember, they were still making country music back then.

SIMON SWEETMAN: Simon sparked this whole 80s revisionist thing off, being lately obsessed with the decade and all its egregious sins. He'll be dipping into a well-spring of arcana both weird and wonderful, certainly enough to make you look at your old copy of "Seven and the Ragged Tiger" and wonder why the hell you didn't buy Mission of Burma instead.

Festivities commence at 5.30pm and it'll all be solid gold. Be prompt like your mother told you.

Roseneath Centennial Ragtime Band

2011-06-14T03:05:00.000-07:00

Thursday June 30th 8 pm $5

Inspired by the brass bands, blues and jazz music of New Orleans from the early 1900’s, Wellington’s, Roseneath Centennial Ragtime Band, bring their mix of trad jazz, blues and ragtime down South!

Roseneath Centennial Ragtime Band, “play pretty for all the people”. Their ragtime is not about ego and complexity, but the human warmth, loose thrills, and hand-me-down melodies that reach all around the world, from the great crescent city of New Orleans to the windy city of today.

In the melting pot of turn of the century New Orleans, jazz, the blues and ragtime was the music for every occasion and station in life – from christening parties to funeral parades and every liquor-fuelled dance floor in between. The Roseneath Centennial Ragtime Band specialize in this hypnotic and irresistible musical force of nature that pulls heartstrings, shakes booties and stomps feet.

Mixing brothel swaggers with gospel shouts are Dale “Dr” Jellyman on the honky-tonk piano, his brother Hamish, (trombone), brothers Mike (trap drums) and Adrian Jensen (guitar), Matt Enright (trumpet), Frankie Curac (clarinet) and Dan Yeablsey (contrabass).

Craig Walters

2011-06-12T02:24:00.000-07:00

Saturday July 2nd 8 pm

We at Happy are very proud to host Tenor Virtuoso Craig Walters playing with Wellington's go to heavy weight rhythm section.

Craig Walters Tenor Saxophone

Anita Schebe: Piano

Paul Dyne: Bass

Roger Sellers: Drums

Doing a mixture of standards and originals.

" Saxophonist Craig Walters has emerged as one of the country's strongest voices" .

Sydney Morning Herald

Craig Walters

Born in Dunedin in 1961 Craig studied with Jerry Coker in 1982 and at Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1983 and in New York with George Coleman and Steve Grosseman. Craig has lived in Sydney since 1985

Craig has performed with Bob Mintzer, Miichael Bublé, Harry Connick jnr, Louie Bellson, Billy Cobham, Cleo Lane & John Dankworth, Bobby Shew, Jim Pugh, Chuck Findlay, Bill Reichenbach, Bob Florence, Rob McConnel, Jim McNeely, Buddy DeFranco, Joe Williams, the Pitzarelli Brothers, Rex Richardson, The Four Tops and the Temptations

Australian Groups include:

Don Rader Quintet (curently), The Mike Knock Quartet, Dave McCrae Quintet, Mark Isaacs Quartet.

Big Bands Include:

The Sydney All Star Big Band, Sydney Festival Orchestra, James Morrison Big Band, John Morrison Big Band, John Hoffman Big Band, Ten Part Invention. Bob Coassin Big Band, New Zealand Youth Jazz Orchestra, Rodger Fox Big Band.

Other Performances include: Marcia Hynes, Tom Burlinson

Craig has performed at the: Montreux Jazz Festival (80 & 81), Jazz Yatra Festival India,Wangaratta Jazz Fest. Bellengen Jazz Fest, Manly Jazz Fest, Wellington International Jazz Fest, Christchurch Festival of the Arts, Nelson Jazz Festival, the Sydney Festival,

Craig has performed in: London,New York, Los Angeles, Bombay, Delhi, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, Vancouver Canada, & Australia & New Zealand.

Ghostplane, Little Cow Little Calf

2011-06-12T01:33:00.000-07:00

Saturday June 25th 9 pm $10

Ghostplane fall very approximately into the category of experimental indie rock/pop with a side of dark alt-country thrown in. With three vocalists, acoustic and electric guitars, miscellaneous semi-functioning electronic devices, lopsided rhythms, old drum machines and due respect to the random element, you could say, in musicological terms, they've got their own thing going. Have a listen at: http://www.myspace.com/ghostplane

Litte Cow, Little Calf take a modern approach to the blues, while never forgetting the value of a catchy chorus. Check out some of their tunes at: www.myspace.com/littlecowlittlecalf

Lawnmaster with Lynley Goodison

2011-06-02T14:04:00.000-07:00

Friday June 17th 8.30 pm Free Entry

The death-pop stylings of Lawnmaster return this month featuring some ripper tunes and several more chords than last time. As it’s a Friday and none of them have to go to work the next day, their Mums have said they can stay up late. Anything could happen.

Support is provided by the excellent Lynley Goodison, with things occurring from around 8.30pm.

Be sure to consult HYPERLINK "http://www.myspace.com/555341319" http://www.myspace.com/555341319 instead of finishing your assignment.

Zorn, Halcyon Drift, OSR

2011-06-02T13:48:00.000-07:00

Saturday June 18th 8 pm $5

HAPPY

Erez Sussman - Guitar From Around The World

Lindon Puffin with Victoria Girling-Butcher

Vital Sounds Hi-Fi Downbeat Special: The Studio One Story

Vital Sounds Hi-Fi Downbeat Special: The Studio One Story

Farmer Maori and the Maori Farmers

Natalia Mann: 'Pasif.Ist' album launch

The Stacks with Siamese Charades, Kabanaz and Fate 2 Decide

Gold Medal Famous Christmas Party with Cliché Guevara & Heat Like Me!

BB Marshall with Jessica's Cats Pyjamas & High Class Hobo Society

Jeremy Mason EP Release with Hula Hope

Music and Artists Social Club Presents: December Songs

Halcyon Drift EP Release with The Dijretts

Vinyl Friday - The Flying Nun Special

Coney Island Swamp Monster, Great Expectorations, The Dickens, Meghan Glue w Andrew Savage

Sunbird7 w Monica Yeoman & My Dear Watson

Hollywoodfun Downstairs w The Shadow Blasters & The Medicine Dogs

Other, Roses & Orchids + Ben

Miles Calder And The Rumors w Oskar Herbig, Lakewood Avenue & Barbeque Crackers

Luckless, Bond St Bridge w Timothy Blackman

Stone Candy, The Placid Saints and DazZ at Happy

Wednesday November 16th, 8pm $5

Kaleidoscope rock'n'roll from Wellington three-piece The Placid Saints

ZineFest After Party w The False Dmitrys, Robin, Daniel Boobyer, Nervous System

The Blue Onesies, Wives, Solo Ono

Meghan Glue, Kriston Batistic, William Jackman, Oskar Herbig

Jordie Lane, Matt Langley & Mel Parsons bring the Blood Thinner tour to Wellington

Bikini Roulette, Killing Bear, Glass Eye and The Carnies

Balkin Brass Explosion

Anthesiac EP Release w Mono Sonic, Shocking And Stunning

The MELANCHOLY BABES with Eric Boeren(Amsterdam)

Vinyl Friday October 5 X 45 12 DJs

November Music And Artists' Social Club

Jetsam Isles, Diving, Dial Square

Timothy Blackman album release with Dear Frontier

Nadia Reid, French for Rabbits

God Bows To Math, High Society, Lost Rockets, Captain Sergeant Major

Mr Sterile Assembly, Nervous System, Jabroniz, +DJ P-Pants

Astro Empire, The Good Words, Phill Jones

Fredstock - My, Oh, Sets (Whanganui) , Octopus (Auckland), Our Love Will Destroy the World , Late: Bad Spheres

Fredstock - ... C Spencer Yeh, Eye (Dunedin) , Tlaotlon, late: Chief Miao and VuVu Doon

Fredstock - Tapioca Dragon, Mischancerie, Mongo Skato, Candlesnuffer, Dead Ringers with Steve Roche

Music and Artists' Social Club October

Vinyl Friday - September

33&a3rd The Rhythm Hawks, Terror of the Deep

Blue Moon, The pickups, The flying sorcerers

Eric Copeland (US from Black Dice), Orchestra Of Spheres, Droszkhi

Stone Candy, A Crowley Murder

Volcana, Terror of the Deep, WIlliam John Hooker

Tommy and The Fallen Horses, Jesse Sheehan, Finn Castree

James and the Players, Neighbourhood Cat

Rutger and Wendy, Ladyparts

Oskar Herbig, Dylan Storey, Brendan Turner, Callum Gentleman

The Dickens vs Coney Island Swamp Monster

…And Justice For All - Meat, Blackjack, Original Flame, Manikk Jamm, Girl Lillian

BIKINI ROULETTE and ROBERT!

Vinyl Friday - August

Fuyuko's Fabels, City Oh Sigh, Ben

Grasshopper Presents Tom Martin, Richard Prowse, Karen Jaine, Joseph Jujnovich

Alda Rezende Quintet

Souled Out - Northern Soul and Ska

Monica Yoeman, and Zoe Cook

Killing Bear, The Lost Boys, and Mangle and Gruff

Thndercub, Blue Onsies, The Boxcar Rattle

Friday August 12th Kittentank, the Raskolnikovs, Terror of the deep and Volcana

Poetry in Motion Ken Arkind and Carrie Rudzinski USA

French for Rabbits, Hula Hope

An Old-Timey Harmony Thing - Presented by Pappy O'Daniel Flour'

Hollaback! launch with Moana Ete, Porcelaintoy, Sisters of St Rupertsberg

Wives, Project H, Space Cake

Vital Sounds - Winter Warmer

Music and Artists Social Club August

Vinyl Friday COUNTRY MUSIC'S WORST NIGHTMARE

Pseudorobustus, Full Fucking Moon, Rain Sluts

Luckless, The Body Lyre, Great North, What Noisy Cats

Annabel Fay Show Me The Right Way Tour

S.A.M.P.L.E

The Transistors, No Aloha

The Lost Boys, The Boxcar Rattle, The Shocking and Stunning, Rupert and Grace

No-Way Sweden AK, Grieve Pde Melb, Glass Vaults and i.ryoko

Fredstock - My, Oh, Sets (Whanganui) , Octopus (Auckland), Our Love Will Destroy the World , Late: Bad Spheres

Fredstock - ...  C Spencer Yeh, Eye (Dunedin) , Tlaotlon, late: Chief Miao and VuVu Doon