Wellington, New Zealand
Our brethren across the Tasman Sea have birthed a number of high intensity, shred-happy bands of late. However during the sweating and the drunkenness and the confusion of this new breed, a charming little album has crept under the radar from indie pop mainstays The Phoenix Foundation. Their second album, Pegasus, was released in New Zealand in 2005 and got an Aussie release last year. It's folk, psychadelia, dub and country, all squished up together, with a spattering of Nintendo. Their music has a wistful quality about it, most probably forged from a deficiency of sun and a surplus of sheep. If you need to brood, grab a big ole pair of headphones and make this is your soundtrack.

Whilst they're critical darlings at home, they haven't been shown the love they deserve overseas. With a recent trip to New York for a CMJ show and and a signing to Young American Recordings, hopefully all this will change.

MP3: The Phoenix Foundation - Sister Risk (from Horsepower)
MP3: The Phoenix Foundation - Nest Egg (from Pegasus)
myspace - buy through Young American Recordings

Labels: NZ, The Phoenix Foundation