21 September 2023 - 0 Comments

Sleigh Bells is the second single from Kirikiriroa based Nicholas Joseph, released hot on the heels of his debut single Not Yours profiled last month on RNZ.

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The song was written and produced by Nicholas Joseph at the Never Project Space studio in Hamilton Kirikiriroa, and mastered by Thomas Arbor (Kōtiro, Seth Frightening, iRyoko).

Sleigh Bells presents dark folk music through a modern lens. Lyrics like ‘‘days like crawling down a corridor” paint a bleak picture, emphasised by hard hitting drums and a menacing guitar line. Just as Nicholas’ stark musings threaten to suffocate the listener, an unexpected chord change breaks through the tension and sends the song skyward. In an instant the song starts to feel summery, nostalgic and sweet. But as ever, there is a darkness lurking: the plaintive line ‘They get you while you are young’’ repeats mournfully to bring Sleigh Bells to a close.

While few will be familiar with the name Nicholas Joseph, the singer and multi-instrumentalist (government name Nicholas Joseph Walsh) was an active participant in Auckland’s indie scene for a decade, cutting his teeth as the bass player for post punk trio Vacants (who played frequently with the likes of The Mint Chicks and Die! Die! Die!).

Later, Joseph was the primary songwriter and front person of Deer Park, a collaborative project with cousin Shannon Walsh. The band toured regularly making a name for themselves with emotive and sometimes slightly unhinged performances.

The band toured regularly, its heady combination of hip hop beats, samples and a horn section featuring Peter Ruddell (Wax Chattels / Sulfate) and JY Lee (Avantdale Bowling Club, Yoko Zuna), Deer Park wowed audiences around the North Island. In 2015 the band were one of just a handful of local acts to play Laneway Festival, handpicked by festival organizers on the strength of their live performances.

In spite of the growing hype around Deer Park, Joseph relocated to Shanghai, China, and the collection of songs that had garnered the band attention emerged much later under the album title Saboteurs.

Having tested the waters with a tour in China and a handful of shows in his hometown Kirikiriroa under the name Umbrellas, Nicholas Joseph is ready to lose the moniker and stand on his own two feet - going by his given names with a collection of songs that are stripped back, personal and raw - a far cry from the hazy beat driven soundscapes of his former band.

Joseph’s new music is arresting and melodic, taking cues from the likes of Big Thief, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Nick Hakim, and favouring electric guitar over keyboard. Front and centre are his distinctive vocals, unembellished and stark.

His debut is scheduled for release via Poneke collective Sonorous Circle (home to the likes of Seth Frightening, Kōtiro and Thomas Arbor) with an accompanying tour to follow shortly after.

Photo Credit: Ruth Friedlander

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