Wellington songwriter Miles Calder has announced a nationwide tour for May and June 2022. Nominated for Best Folk Artist at this year's Aotearoa Music Awards, Miles returns off the back of his celebrated 2021 solo debut album Autopilot Life.
With an abundance of new material to test out, Miles is itching to get out and play shows again. The forthcoming eleven-date tour features Miles alongside bandmate and guitar maestro Chris Armour, playing re-imagined, acoustic versions of previously released songs as well as upcoming singles. Audiences can expect an intimate and musically lush performance, with Miles' spellbinding vocals and pristine arrangements taken to striking new territory.
“If you like Kurt Vile, or Father John Misty, or The Phoenix Foundation, you might quite like this.” - Charlotte Ryan, Radio New Zealand
Autopilot Life serves up ten accomplished new songs from Calder — finding his own cosy space somewhere between lush psych-tinted 60s balladry, stately piano driven pop and heart-tugging cinematic rock reflections, spiced up with an occasional dash of Stonesy boogie. - Under The Radar
Starting on May 19 at The Boathouse in Nelson, the duo will journey to regional destinations around the country such as Ahuahu Villas in New Plymouth, and Paisley Stage in Napier. The tour is rounded off by an all-guns-blazing full band show in his hometown Wellington on June 11 with the dynamic additions of Nick George on drums, Steve Moodie on bass, and Dayle Jellyman on keys, and an intimate solo show in Auckland on July 2 at The Wine Cellar.
Miles says: “It’s been a long time since I’ve done a run of acoustic shows, and we decided some upcoming singles are a great opportunity for sitting down with crowds and doing something more intimate. After being rather locked in over the summer, I’m excited to bring songs to audiences again, especially in this stripped-back way. We couldn't resist adding the full band show at the end of the tour to really let loose too!
Miles is now moving into an exciting new period of creativity, working with Sam Flynn Scott (The Phoenix Foundation) as a producer. The elevated sound builds on the indie-folk and psychedelia that defined Autopilot Life, with deeper atmospheres and timely, razor-sharp songwriting - the result of being crafted over the strange pandemic years. Stay tuned for a new single 'Pushing and Pulling' before the tour gets underway.
See full tour dates and ticket details below.
Thursday 19 May 2022 - The Boathouse, Nelson
Friday 20 May 2022 - Le Cafe, Picton
Saturday 21 May 2022 - Mussel Inn, Golden Bay
Saturday 28 May 2022 - Vogelmorn Hall, Wellington
Friday 3 June 2022 - Paisley Stage, Napier
Saturday 4 June 2022 - St. Peters Hall, Paekakariki
Sunday 5 June 2022 - Secret Show, Lincoln, Selwyn
Saturday 11 June 2022 - San Fran, Wellington (FULL BAND)
Thursday 16 June 2022 The Globe Theatre, Palmerston North
Thursday 30 June 2022 - Ahu Ahu Villas, New Plymouth
Saturday 2 July 2022 - Wine Cellar, Auckland (SOLO)
Saturday 16 July 2022 - Vogelmorn Hall, Wellington
Tickets available from UTR and www.milescalder.com
