Atlas

Last Friday we went to see Atlas, a NZ band, play at a bar in Devonport. To be honest, I wasn't sure who Atlas was, from their name, but come to find out I had definitely heard their big single. The video for "Crawl" was on constantly and I'd heard it played all over the place. As it turns out it spent something like 7 weeks at number one on the NZ charts... a feat that hadn't been achieved since the mid-80's (with "Slice of Heaven" THE kiwi song). Andy even remembered them because the video had been shot just across the street from our old apartment.

Some friends tipped us off about the show because the band actually lives next door to them... right here in Devonport! I couldn't pass it up. It was a really good show... very laid back and not really that crowded, surprising since they had just played at the New Zealand Music Awards the night before after winning "Highest Selling Single" award!

After the show we chatted with Sean, lead singer/guitar, who is actually from Kentucky. (We were dying for him to bust out some Skynard after he teased the crowd with a few chords, but no such luck-however one of their new songs sounds much more like classic rock than grunge. We told him it was our favorite-he agreed.) He met up with Ben and Beth (brother and sister) to do some songwriting while they were in LA and they unexpectedly formed the band, then picked up a few other NZ members when then returned. They've had a hit single, just finished a new album, and last week's show kicked off their first NZ tour... too bad we didn't get to know them before the hit the road!

Here's their myspace and their website if you want to hear the tunes & see the videos!

Black for Mourning

Nearly as quick I write about the Rugby World Cup, it is over for New Zealand. Yesterday The All Blacks lost to France in the quarter finals. It was a close match, but in the end NZ couldn't pull ahead before the whistle blew. Needless to say, the whole country is sad and disappointed and are talking about how it's going to be another long 4 years until they have another chance. (Maybe they'll have better luck on their home turf though.)

The All Blacks are an incredible team, but right now their country is wearing black for mourning instead of celebration. It is a very sad day when both NZ and Australia are sent home from the world cup far to early AND K-State loses to KU!

When all else fails... Allé les Bleu!

Here's a sign we saw at a store just hours after the All Blacks lost. :(