STEVE ABEL BAND

“Abel is an extraordinarily good songwriter”
- Alternatui Awards which named Little Death 2006 Album of the Year

“lovely tunes abound”
- NZ Herald which named Little Death in its Best Sounds of 2006

“arrant musical hypnosis…a treasure”
- William Dart of Radio New Zealand’s Concert FM

“a melancholic masterpiece”
- Pavement Magazine

“will capture your heart”
- Dominion Post

“beautifully crafted”
- Southland Express

“Richly poetic lyrics create a mood that is sometimes dark, sometimes mystical and bordering on the avant-garde. Listening to these songs is like viewing pictures in a gallery.”
- NZ Musician Magazine

The core members of the Steve Abel Band (& the live line-up) are: Gareth Thomas (ex Goodshirt) who plays the accordion like an ambient synthesizer. Geoff Maddock, (Goldenhorse & ex Bressa Creeting Cake) & NZ’s best damn Nashville/rock guitar melodist! Maddock’s distinctive voice is also heard backing-up on 4 album tracks including 'Sweetheart'. Pluto's front man Milan Borich (ex Bic Runga’s band) plays drums with a fantastic feel & his Pluto band-mate Mike Hall (ex Brunettes, Dimmer) deftly intones on double bass. That's the band.

The debut album 'Little Death', was captured, mixed & produced by London-based engineer Nick Abbott at Montage Studios in Grey Lynn, Auckland. Most tracks had only vocal harmonies added after the initial takes. Kirsten Morell (Goldenhorse) is just one of the familiar voices & names featured on the album, lending her presence to the heart-rending 'Duet' & the stomping 'Ghost Of God' also.

The band is half way through recording the second album which already includes some superb new tracks captured with the sweet voiced Texan Jolie Holland. Look out late 07 for the next installment…