December it a strange time. Truly exasperating month. Having the spare bandwidth for anything other than just sheer chaos and hooplah of season is nigh on impossible. It’s this that makes it brave to send out your hard worked on music for the people to hear. December is not conducive finding new music to resonate with. Luckily however, with the recent gifts of freedom granted by our COVID handlers, I find myself with 1 hour and 25 minutes spare on the flight from the Aucks to Chch and very glad that my companion is the excellent debut EP from Tamaki Makaurau 2/3-piece Lady Bonestripper.
The sound of bird song begins Awaken the Snake Hips before it kicks off with an even more chilled out version of Tiki Taane’s iconic Kiwi anthem Always On My Mind. Driven by a spaced out electric guitar, it’s certainly an unconventional choice to open the EP with a cover, but Lady Bonestripper have done well to put their own sonic spin on it while retaining the original’s inherent catchiness. A sure fire way to sneak the EP into the summer BBQ soundtrack. The bird song returns to bridge to An Echo That Never Fades. A psychedelic burner with just a hint of reggae underneath. The searing guitar sounds like it’s been launched from the sun. No doubt and impressive song to see performed live. Track 3 is the moody but strangely danceable Aurora Borealis which is followed by the EP’s calmest tune, Avalanche. The relaxed reprieve before the final and title track closes the EP on high. By far the highlight of the 5 songs, Awaken the Snake Hips. An uptempo funky pop song with a rap feature from Juan Da Boy and chorus that sounds straight out of the early 2000's, this track is sure to get you going when sun goes down.
Awaken the Snake Hips manages to span a remarkable breadth of musical territory while still keeping an overarching aesthetic intact. A true achievement in the alternative. I can certainly guarantee that Lady Bonestripper will make your flight much better than any punishing inflight quiz based entertainment.
Lady Bonestripper are a two/three-piece band founded in 2019 and based in Auckland. Made up of husband and wife, Scott Nicolson (songwriting and instruments) and Caitlin Kennedy (vocals) and their dear friend Shannon Coulomb, who provides guitar precision and general excellence when a little extra oomph is required. Lady Bonestripper just make whatever tunes feel good at the time. Mostly alternative rock, but, you know, disco and stuff, too.
Their brand new EP, Awaken the Snake Hips, presents a lovingly crafted, ambitious and eclectic mix of songs, including a cover of a Kiwi classic. This record is proudly independent, self-produced and funded, and another step towards world domination.