11 February 2013 - 0 Comments

REMEMBERING 29 DIAMONDS - Bernie Griffen knew as soon as he got the line ‘29 diamonds for a chunk of coal’ that he had the essence of a song about the Pike River mining disaster. “It was a gift, that line, with diamonds forming from coal and the lives of the miners being sacrificed for coal,” says the Auckland blues-folk-country musician. “The whole song came into focus. I wrote 29 Diamonds very soon after the accident and mine collapse, and since then I have wanted to take it around the country. I was very sad and angry when I heard about the explosion in the mine and the attitude of the company. I think many people feel like me about what happened, I can see that in the way they respond to the song.” National Radio’s music broadcaster Trevor Reekie chose 29 Diamondsas his 2012 song of the year. Says Bernie: “I wanted to write a song that wasn’t complicated, but that was straight and true. More and more I try to write simple songs that work because of their emotional impact.” Bernie Griffen and The Grifters opened American country music great Emmy Lou Harris’ Auckland concert last year. Vector Arena was silent when Bernie announced the anniversary of the Pike River mining disaster the following day, before singing 29 Diamonds. “I was deeply moved by the respect shown by the audience." “It’s a song in the folk tradition which seems to speak of both contemporary lives and also the long and difficult history of the industry for workers.”

On their Everything So Far Tour, Bernie Griffen and Kirsten Warner are joined by Barry Saunders (Featherston), The Eastern (Lyttelton), Chris Thompson (Raglan), Al Hunter (Barrytown) Tommy and Miles Calder and The Rumours (Wellington).

TOUR DATES:

Thursday Feb 28, The Yot Club, Raglan with Chris Thompson
Friday March 1, Whanganui Musicians Club, Whanganui
Saturday March 2, dharma bums club, Wairau Valley
Tuesday March 5, Fairfield House, Nelson
Thursday March 7, Tommy Chang's, Lyttelton
Friday March 8, Wunderbar, Lyttelton with The Eastern
Sunday March 10, New Edinburgh Folk Club, Dunedin
Monday March 11, Federal Diner, Wanaka
Tuesday March 12, Cook Saddle Café & Saloon, Fox Glacier
Wednesday March 13, Barrytown Hall, Barrytown with Al Hunter
Friday March 15, Meow, Wellington with Tommy and Vanesssa, Miles Calder and the Rumours
Wednesday March 20,The Tin Hut, Featherston with Barry Saunders
Thursday March 21, The Cabana, Napier
Friday March 22, Mihi Café, Reporoa

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