[{"id":399999205614,"handle":"flying-nun-records","updated_at":"2024-02-24T10:15:24+11:00","published_at":"2022-02-08T16:04:47+11:00","sort_order":"manual","template_suffix":"","published_scope":"web","title":"Flying Nun Records","body_html":"","image":{"created_at":"2022-02-08T16:04:46+11:00","alt":null,"width":300,"height":300,"src":"\/\/flyingnunaustralia.com\/cdn\/shop\/collections\/L-20365-1498236818-5866.jpg?v=1644296686"}},{"id":399996944622,"handle":"the-chills","updated_at":"2024-02-24T10:15:24+11:00","published_at":"2022-02-08T15:24:25+11:00","sort_order":"best-selling","template_suffix":"","published_scope":"web","title":"The Chills","body_html":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWhere \u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Chills\u003c\/strong\u003e are concerned, there’s no simple summary of who, what and why. Perhaps only ‘when’, and even then the last 30 years seem to blur. This is testament to the physical persistence of Chills founder and centrifugal force \u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMartin Phillipps\u003c\/strong\u003e, but also his kaleidoscopic, obsessive and idiosyncratic nature. For no other \u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFlying Nun\u003c\/strong\u003e associate had such gumption to reach out overseas, nor was beset by both simple and turbulent twists of fate. Which meant no one could keep up with Phillipps’ wayward path - hence The Chills’ now infamously documented personnel changes (there are over 20 line-ups to peruse if you choose).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pjW3MT8D9RY\" height=\"630\" width=\"1120\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pjW3MT8D9RY\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAt least the music remains, and here there is much more certainty. The Chills were exemplars of the so-called Dunedin Sound – an often moist and melancholy, simultaneously dark and breezy amalgam of Western garage-pop roots but invested with an otherworldly aura, as if those overseas influences had indeed seeped in upside down. But only Phillipps was this quixotic, bridging folk and bubblegum, Bowie and Syd Barrett, with feverish shivers and childlike whimsy. (No one else would have dared wear pixie boots with no irony, only joy.). If music has a psycho-geographical bent, then it’s the air, waves and light of the Otago peninsular, and the spaciousness and remoteness of NZ itself, that glows and thrums through his songs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","image":{"created_at":"2022-02-10T11:02:29+11:00","alt":null,"width":874,"height":877,"src":"\/\/flyingnunaustralia.com\/cdn\/shop\/collections\/The_Chills_Flying_Nun.jpg?v=1644451350"}},{"id":400792649966,"handle":"vinyl","updated_at":"2024-03-11T17:10:14+11:00","published_at":"2022-02-21T19:43:05+11:00","sort_order":"manual","template_suffix":"","published_scope":"web","title":"Vinyl","body_html":""}]
Kaleidoscope World is not just the starting point for The Chills, but an insight into the world of New Zealand guitar-pop and the Dunedin Sound an influence which carries on to indie-pop bands around the world today. Originally released in 1986, the compilation captures the best of the magical early period recordings of The Chills and simply oozes excitement and possibility. Now re-issued on a deluxe 2xLP and 2xCD set, it will feature six bonus, b-sides, demos and live tracks plus an expanded gatefold cover with photos, posters and liner notes from journalist Martin Aston.
The worlds first look atThe Chillscame via the 1982Dunedin Doublecompilation featuring four acts (The Chills, The Verlaines, Sneaky FeelingsandThe Stones) all hailed from the New Zealand city in the deep south. Recorded on a portable 4-track it was distinctly lo-fi and in tune with the DIY ethic at the heart of the burgeoning Flying Nun label.
It was a sound in part born out of geography and location, with the spaciousness and remoteness of New Zealand itself matched with the glowing songs of chief Chill -Martin Phillipps- a music savant that somehow wrangles psychedelic pop and folk,Syd BarrettandBrian Wilson, all withPhillippsinnate ability to sound both joyous and sad within a moment.
What was initially 8 songs (later expanded to 18 and now 24) have a unique bittersweet innocence from the title track through to the happy - sad aura ofFrantic DriftandRolling Moon. And amongst all the fragile melodies mixed with a childlike wonder, isPink Frostfor manyThe Chillsmost beloved track an eerie, haunting track, the bands first ‚hit,' perhaps the Flying Nun equivalent of Love Will Tear Us Apart. Surrounded by the aura of death following a dreamPhillippshad, it also touches on a sense of desolation and yearning for a connection to the wider world and is no better example of the marvellous songwriting ability of this band from the world's southernmost point.
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