Chrysanthemum Storm Bill Direen & the Bilders Album and Tour 2008

Bill Direen and The Bilders hit the tarseal again this year with a new album called Chrysanthemum Storm (Powertool Records). Bill has been working in Dunedin and –with three snowstorms hitting the country this winter (at last count) – he has been taking the cold in his stride. In fact he has been taking a lot of things about New Zealand as inspiration for his new songs. These are carefully crafted melodies and lyrics from one of New Zealand’s most accomplished songwriters. It’s not all snow though – at times it is warm enough for real Chrysanthemums. The album was recorded during an intensive series of sessions at a balmy studio called Gravel Road in West Auckland. The studio really is down a gravel road, and the rhythm tracks were laid down live. That’s why the album has a great live feeling, something all true Bilders album are known for. The band is the same lineup as the one that stunned music lovers the length of the country last year. The band members did not shy away from a band photo for the new album, and with the instant appeal of many of the songs you’d almost say that Bill Direen and The Bilders have decided to play it straight. There is no rampant experimenting here, only a fine batch of well-crafted songs performed by a talented band. There’s some humour, some social realism and a lot of pure alternative rock with an indie pop feel. Check out the keyboardist Andrew McCully who joined the Bilders in mid-tour last year and looks set to stay. At time he resorts to the delightful, classic Bilders sound of the early singles, at other times he plays inventively, lacing the material with poppy riffs and instrumental hooks. Bill and MC (as he’s known) will play a cabaret-style opening set at some venues, similar to the one they recently preformed in Auckland. Andrew Maitai is solid on drums, and with Brett Cross on bass they create some tasty grooves for Direen to lay his lyrics over. The songs themselves are about life, he says – and that means life in New Zealanmd although one of the songs (a star-crossed love affair) refers to Direen’s other life in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. Don’t miss this chance to see a living legend on stage. Direen’s guitar style has always been unique, and the freedom of the Bilders is as exhilarating as ever. Chrysanthemum Storm Bill Direen & the Builders Album and Tour 2008