Dunedin has a proud history in producing amazing musicians. Not surprisingly, it was dubbed the "Dunedin Sound" in the early '80s and featured bands like The Bats, The Clean, The Chills, Loves Ugly Children, Straitjacket Fits, The Verlaines and many others among its highlights reel. It was an explosion of indie pop fused with a carefree pinch of the punk-rock movement of the time. As it evolved along its own unique, slightly isolated in the south, path it just got better and better.
And, thanks in part to the genius of Christchurch-based record label Flying Nun, the Dunedin Sound exploded. Its trajectory was so profound that Dunedin was the forefront for anyone wanting a career as a musical artist. It was embraced worldwide with international groups such as R.E.M., Pavement and Mudhoney drawing influence from the laidback genius.
That Dunedin Sound may not be quite as loud as it once was, but there is a rumbling that is unmistakably growing in intensity again. Think Six60, Summer Thieves, Ragged ... in fact the list is impressive.
In between the onshores and lazy swell of this past week we were fortunate enough to get to shoot with Ragged – a four-piece band that's already turning heads.
Ragged is George Giblin on bass, Jackson Rodeka on drums, Dylan Walker on lead guitar all bound together by the vocals of Reece Vaitupu. They're an eclectic mix that is capable of something special and one of those is dropping this Friday when they release their most pop-rock single yet, Bones.
Ragged is opening for Tomorrow People on their album release tour this Friday in Queenstown at Loco, backed up on Saturday at Robbie Burns, Dunedin.
While they're known for their reggae sound, Bones proves the Ragged boys can play whatever they want. If you can't get to their Queenstown or Dunedin gigs this week then check out Ragged on iTunes (Bones won't be available until Friday). Want more Ragged in your life? Follow Ragged on Facebook here.
See you at the beach ... Derek
PS The Box of Light Gallery is now open ... swing by 1 Dowling Street, Dunedin, and come in and say hello.
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