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…

String things.
Hobnail evolved from the band ‘Hobnail Boots’ a stalwart celtic/country band who have been part of the local music scene since the mid 1990s. This incarnation of the band features original members Rob Joass and Jo Moir, Hamish Graham who has been in the band since their 2nd album and drummer Caroline Easther who joined the band in 2007. ‘String Things’ is a special release for their 21st anniversary, featuring re-recordings of some favourites from their catalogue, some new songs and some covers. Some of their best old tracks, some nice covers of tracks from The Pogues & Neil Young, and years of playing together all combine into a great new collection. More info on the band here. Facebook here. Buy some music here.

Plastic wasteland.
First EP from this young Karori rock group who won the 2015 ‘Battle of The Bands’ contest, beating out 43 other bands and netting some recording time at Neil Finn’s Roundhead Studios and a mixing desk. A small European tour followed, and in in March they opened for high-profile US rockers Highly Suspect at The Powerstation in Auckland. The 3 track EP is full of infectious melodies and impressive songcraft for such a young group. Definitely going places. More on the band here. Connect with them on Facebook here. Buy some music here.

Ace & Gab’s honeymoon.
We really liked Vera Ellen’s solo album Monte Casino, and now she is part of Maple Syrup, a new 4 piece that melds a grungy garage 90s alt-rock aspect with the pop sensibilities that were on display on Monte Casino. Riffy guitar lines, catchy melodies, rocking tracks. Makes you remember why you like new bands. The vibrancy and sense of purpose. The adherence to old forms, yet that energy and discovery. Just really really good. Facebook here. Buy/listen to the album here.

Covers used with permission.