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Erewhon Calling: Experimental Sound In New Zealand

**192 page lavishly-illustrated publication edited by Bruce Russell (the Dead C.) exploring the rich experimental music heritage of New Zealand, including pieces on Mr King's legendary lathe-cutting vinyl service, The Dead C, Peter Wright, Rosy Parlane, Pumice and more* 'Erewhon Calling' is an endearingly ambitious attempt to illuminate the enigmatic world of New Zealand's internationally renowned experimental music scene. Edited by The Dead C's Bruce Russell and packing in anecdotes, photos and writings from myriad and informed contributors, it spans the full range of non-standard music practice in contemporary NZ culture, from the borders of composed art music through improvised noise to deconstructed rock 'n pop filth. It doesn't claim to be a comprehensive survey, but to the casual or even slightly clued-up outsider it's close enough, giving space for everything from Mr King's legendary lathe-cutting vinyl business (you musta heard of that, right?) to the many fascinating nuances of the incredibly fertile scene in Dunedin. For anyone who's come from a small town anywhere in the UK, Europe, America (or anywhere else for that matter), and whinged about the lack of local experimental or non-mainstream music (maybe more in pre-internet times, but…), you should definitely connect on some level with what these guys are talking about, coming from their unique perspective on the literal and metaphorical edge of the world. It's inspirational stuff and well recommended.