#muttonbirds

For Kiwi Music Munff: Giant Friend – Mutton Birds

I don’t think I’m the only person who, when this came out, thought they were singing about Janet Frame. 

That, though, would have been a bit too direct for Don McGlashan. 

Someone once defined the Muttonbirds as being like the a Kiwi version of the Kinks with a touch of Twin Peaks’ undefined menace to them.

That to me is almost…

Stoked to listen to this today.

You should be here for serious.

We played Matakana on Friday night and again on Saturday night to a huge, sold out crowd. Sunday night was in Tutukaka, where I think there were even more people?

Both Gin Wigmore and The Muttonbirds are more amazing than I anticipated. I know people say things like that about bands they tour with, but this is for real. I've admired both artists from afar, but never really listened a whole lot. Every night, both bands were magical, and I get to hear this 14 more times over the next month. If you live anywhere in New Zealand, this show is coming to a town near you, and you have no excuse to not attend one of the best musical events I've experienced.

This is the best job in the world. Here are some photos:

Soundchecking at Matakana.

Playing at Matakana on Friday.

3 heads are better than 3 hands.

Mangawhai Delhi Sandwiches! Ben Duncan reigned me into my part-time vegetarianism, so I didn't get the bread pie I had my heart set on.

MOAR Mangawhai adventuring.

These birds were swarming over our crumbs for ages. Then they accidentally pushed them into the bushes and couldn't eat them suckers!

BikeBoat

BikeBoatBikeBoat

ZanyDave. I don't even know where this is.

This is Tutukaka before you guys wer there.

And this is when you arrived.

Muttonbirds migrate from the Arctic region to the southern parts of Australia -- a 30,000 km round trip -- every year. They return to the same burrow every year and each pair lays just one egg. Muttonbirds are protected by an international treaty and are protected by all Australian states except Tasmania. Despite the Tasmanian Government describing these birds as 'one of the world's most amazing migratory birds', they will permit around 100,000 chicks to be killed this year for meat and oil (including recreational and commercial seasons). Recreational 'harvesters' are allowed to take 15 to 25 birds per day, which means that a single licensed person can take up to 400 chicks during the 16-day killing season. To make matters worse, no training or experience is required in killing the birds quickly and with a minimum of pain. It is highly likely that many birds suffer prolonged and painful deaths.