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JUST RETURNED FROM WORLD TOUR OF 12 COUNTRIES & 36 CITIES (MARCH-JUNE 08). CURRENTLY RECORDING DEMOS FOR 3RD SOLO ALBUM "NOWHERE FAST"
“ALBUM OF THE YEAR†SHOW PONY – Waikato Times Dec 07
“BEST LIVE ACT OF ORIENTATION 07†– Victoria University NZ
“BEST LIVE SHOW AT THE DUX de LUX 2004†- Christchurch Press NZ
AS SEEN IN THE HIT FILM ‘FIGURE 8000’ – C4, SKY TV & RIALTO CINEMAS.
NEW ALBUM for 2007 - SHOW PONY - Available in Stores & Online.
“Physically & musically reminiscent of Morrisey & Elvis Costello (and just as entertaining) Puffin’s Show Pony is a fantastic slice of Southern culture†4 Stars Phil Reed Real Groove.
“If artists like Neil Young, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello or Randy Newman ever floated your boat, you’ll seriously dig Lindon Puffin’s Show Pony. This is the strongest candidate yet for album of the year.†5 Stars! Jeff Neems Waikato Times.
2007 was a pretty choice year for New Zealand’s infamous rockabilly rebel Lindon Puffin. Two national tours, support slots for American superstars Tenacious D & NZ’s own Greg Johnson, a hit TV documentary ‘Figure 8000’ - Sky TV & C4, a handful of sell out shows at the Christchurch Arts Festival and a critically acclaimed new album named ‘Show Pony’. 5 Stars Waikato Times, 4 Stars Real Groove. (Reaching No. 22 in the IMNZ album charts!)
So what’s New Zealand's hardest working, self-managed musician got planned for 2008?
First up, it’s another manic 24 date month long NZ summer tour. Kicking off at Dunedin’s Backstage on January 10 & concluding at AL’s Bar in Christchurch on February 8, the ‘Show Pony’ summer tour will traverse the country including a support slots for his hero’s Billy Bragg at Wellington’s San Francisco Bath House on Jan 16 & The Warratahs in Hawke’s Bay on Waitangi Day!
Following this, Puffin will perform a series of fundraising shows for his first ever World Tour beginning in late March. Having never ventured further than Australia, this whirlwind 3 month escapade will see Puffin performing through Japan, Europe, UK and the States! Fans will be pleased to hear that he will be accompanied by a skeleton film crew, planning to create a follow-up to his successful road movie / doco - Figure 8000. (As seen on Rialto Cinema’s, C4TV & currently screening on Sky TV’s Documentary Channel throughout January)
If he makes it back home, Puffin then plans to dive into the studio & record his third solo album, tentatively titled ‘Nowhere Fast’. He’s written the bulk of the new album, which he plans on foisting upon his audience during the up coming summer tour and hawking the demos around overseas record companies while he’s away. Keep in mind, that he’s had absolutely no support from the ‘neo-cons’ at NZ on Air, whether it’s Hit Disk inclusion, video, recording or tour funding (not for an exhaustive lack of trying) and strange considering the recent success of both Figure 8000 & the critically acclaimed album Show Pony. On the other hand he is very proud to have ongoing tour sponsorship from Jagermeister, Sky TV, Phantom Billstickers, NZ Rockshop, and Creative Communities NZ (CCNZ).
Back to the summer tour shows, for it’s the live environment in which Puffin really thrives. Performing around 100 gigs a year in all manner of venues, from cafés & bars to festivals & town halls, he has an uncanny ability to read a crowd, draw them into a show and entertain them with a wild mix of upbeat originals, unusual covers and hilarious banter. Likened to a cross between Elvis Costello & Bill Bailey, Puffin performs live with a variety of instruments including, guitar, piano, ukulele, harmonica, mini drums and his infamous kazoo; on which he imitates epic guitar solos & saxophone breaks! Fortunately all legitimized by a stunning voice & great songs.
Recently Puffin has also begun performing ‘Private House Parties’ for the trouble makers of the 70’s & 80’s as their kids leave home & they rediscover their love of ‘getting on it’ with their mates. With responsibility fading and the prospect of ‘going into town’ an ugly option, Puffin will set up in your lounge, super-yacht, penthouse etc & belt out an unforgettable night of the kind of dirty rock & 80’s trash that radio will no longer touch! Not for the faint hearted. Taking bookings for 2008 at... [email protected]
In late March 08, Puffin heads off on his first WORLD TOUR! 3 months across Japan, Europe, UK and the States. So make sure you catch him LIVE & buy a copy of the new album ‘Show Pony’ as he Farewells NZ with ONE FINAL TOUR in January & February THIS SUMMER!!!
See you at the show eh!
LIVE REVIEW 1 - RECENT NEW ZEALAND TOUR SHOW (9/2/08)
Lindon Puffin ended his New Zealand Tour with a brilliant, hilarious, entertaining and very kiwi show at the Rangiora Regent Theatre on the 9th of Feb. On his return to his schoolboy town, he had the audience eating out of his hand and roaring with laughter as he filled the show with anecdotes of his experiences on tour and life in general. Nothing was sacred - hot chicks, Motueka bogans, ferry crossings and seittit. I have never seen a musician so relaxed and open and entertaining between songs.
His music can best be described as 'rockabilly' with great hooks and chops in the mould of Billy Bragg, Elvis Costello and a modern day Buddy Holly. He peppered his show with covers of Elton John, Johhny Cash, John Prime & Neil Young. Lindon's multi-instrumentalism was shown with him alternating between guitar, ukelele, piano, kazoo, harmonica and drums. In one set that blew my mind, he played drums, guitar, harmonica, kazoo and sang - all at the same time! Go buy his current album - "Show Pony" and lounge back and let something wonderful and unique fill your conciousness, and support a guy that is living the life, and keeping it real.
If you ever get the opportunity to see Lindon Puffin live - go for it, before he is too big for you to enjoy the witty repartee, the open banter and warm intimacy in a natural, laid-back kiwi setting.
Reviewed by Aaron Clark (10/2/08)
http://nzguitars.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=8436
LIVE REVIEW 2 - SUPPORTING BILLY BRAGG - WELLINGTON NZ (16/1/08)
LIndon Puffin, solo singer/songwriter, opened for Billy Bragg. He got the crowd all revved up and ready. What’s up with musicians who check their instrument, tune their guitar and then start performing without introducing themselves? After three songs someone yelled from the back, “What’s your name mate?†He did a full set, originals and a few covers and mentioned a hundred times that his CD was for sale. He was a perfect opening for Bragg, full of energy, and a little self-deprecating chatter. Just the man, the guitar, the capo and a kazoo. The kazoo is something I can do without. And, Puffin can sing!
By Diane Spodarek - The Lumiere Reader ([email protected])
