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New library ‘Wellington’ music releases on CD: The Doubtful Sounds/Janina

Every month, Wellington City Libraries acquires new CD’s for its large, broad, eclectic collection, and Wellington music is no exception. We regularly inspect Bandcamp, local music websites, trawl music vendors latest releases and check out independent labels like Flying Nun, Arch Hill, Rattle and Lil’ Chief for the latest in Wellington and New Zealand music. So, with this influx of mint music in mind, every month we’ll provide the latest titles and artists added to our Wellington music collection…

Cover imageThe pop album / The Doubtful Sounds.
Bringing pop back in style is the aim of ‘The Doubtful Sounds’. James (based in Wellington) and Matt (based in Auckland) both share a love of the Flying Nun sound. ‘The Pop Album’ is squarely in the jangle-pop realm, with plenty vocal harmonies & melodies. Some of the Flying Nun influence ( Bats, The Clean) comes through, along with 80’s ‘Left-of-the-dial’ & 90s power pop. Buy it here. Read some more about the band here.

Cover imageThe original ending.
Janina is Janina Nicoll, whose brother records under the name Stevie Starr. She released an EP ‘Mercy’ in 2004 with cellist Francesca Mountfort, before moving to London for a few years. Moving back to Wellington she engineered and produced her debut herself, alongside brother/musician Stevie Starr. With Janina on vocals, guitar, clarinet, saxophone & Theremin, it welds together an organic framework with electronic beats. Definitely worth a listen if you like idiosyncratic female singers (Bat For Lashes, Feist, Joan as Police Woman). Buy it here. Read about making the album here.


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