The After have just released their new single ‘Doesn’t Matter’, and are winding up their New Zealand summer tour, with shows in Auckland, Hamilton, and Te Awamutu's Lucfest.
Supported by Juice TV and the Aotearoa Touring Programme.
This is a Free entry show, in the front room from 8:45pm
New Zealand Music Industry stalwart Andrew Featherstone has recorded and promoted hundreds of artists over the past 30 years with his studio and record label Intergalactic Records, the home of 8 Foot Sativa and early Jason Kerrison recordings amongst others. For the past 26 years he has also run the Battle of the Bands National Championship, and in 2004 launched the World Battle of the Bands competition in Hong Kong, Los Angeles, New Zealand and Australia; later expanding in, Singapore, Manila, New York, Beijing and Taipei.
What some may not know about Featherstone is that he’s a songwriter and bass player in his own right, one who’s had his fair share of close calls in the success stakes. Featherstone has performed alongside No Doubt (US), Collective Soul (US), Silverchair (AUS), Everclear (US), but his most recent project The After is creating the most interest in his career to date.
The After’s charismatic vocalist Blu, from Wellington, first crossed paths with Featherstone when his band ELK won BOTB 2019. Feathersone describes the moment: When I saw Blu performing for the first time, all I could think was, this guy is the real deal…kinda Robert Plant meets Michael Hutchence.
Guitarist Vance Manu from Invercargill was also a previous BOTB finalist in two bands from Southland, Carcosa and Soul Manor. Featherstone says, ‘We gave Vance the best guitarist award at the 2015 BOTB’s, shared with Brendon Thomas (who features on The After's debut single 'Clear to Me’).
Keyboardist extraordinaire Bruce Madden from Auckland joined on Hammond organ for the last batch of 2021 tour dates and the newest addition - on drums - is Gareth Scott of The Tuesdays, The Bobby Holidays and Landslide, completing the 2022 touring line-up.
Featherstone says of ‘Doesn’t Matter’, The song is about letting go of the old ways, not dwelling on the past and complaining about inevitable changes but embracing the future and evolving as a species. It’s good to be reminded of a longer-term view of humanity and life - Earth’s species survival instincts drive us beyond any overthinking that we’re perhaps indulging in too much of late…
