NZ Collective – Music Makers, DJs, Party Throwers
FLAMINGO PIER
Share Euphoric New Single ‘LAST CALL’
From Self-Titled Debut Album – Out June 4
Pre-order the album here: flamingopier.bandcamp.
+
NZ / AOTEAROA TOUR DATES!
Today, T?maki Makaurau/Auckland-based music makers, DJs and party throwers, Flamingo Pier share their euphoric new single ‘Last Call‘, from their debut self-titled album out on June 4th on London’s Soundway Records. To celebrate the album release, the trio have announced five headline shows across Aotearoa this July.
The brand new single ‘Last Call’ is inspired by classic 90’s House music where expert musicians were paired with drum machine beats and insistent basslines to create dance music with real soul. Aotearoa Jazz legend Nathan Haines lends bright saxophone to the disco-heavy groove, along with a shimmering duet vocal between band member Dominic Jones and emerging electronic artist Jess Penson (Kédu Carlö). Lyrically, the song reflects on last chances and turning points in relationships.
Flamingo Pier is ecstatic to take the new record around the country this July, with all five shows set to be an all-out dance extravaganza. The first Auckland date has since sold out super fast on announcement and one more Auckland date on Thursday, July 8 is secured and is on sale now.
Group member Luke Walker says, “The album release is a momentous occasion for us so we’re putting all our creative juices into making the spaces look and sound incredible. Think New York Discotheque 1981… See you on the dance floor soon!”
Listen + Share: Flamingo Pier – ‘Last Call’ feat. Nathan Haines & Kedu
Friday July 2 – 121, WELLINGTON (DJ set)
Saturday July 3 – Flux, CHRISTCHURCH (DJ set)
Thursday July 8 – Galatos, AUCKLAND (full band) NEW DATE ADDED
Friday July 9 – Galatos, AUCKLAND (full band) *sold out
Saturday July 24 – HB Showgrounds, HASTINGS (DJ set)
In 2019 and 2020 Flamingo Pier released two widely lauded EPs on UK’s tastemaker Soundway Records, garnering support from UK electronic duo Maribou State (Ninja Tune), American radio host, DJ, and producer Tim Sweeney (Beats In Space), BBC 6 Music DJs, The Blessed Madonna, and JD Twitch to name a few. But like many artists in the last 12 months, the group had to navigate the unfamiliar territory of intermittent lockdowns to write and record an album. The silver lining of this however, was that this was the first time that members Luke Walker, Brad Craig, and Dominic Jones were able to create the record in person together instead of collaborating over the internet – because usually at least one of them has been travelling overseas.They wrote most of the album together in 2020 in Auckland with a swing of local musicians contributing to the recording, including fellow Soundway act Julien Dyneon drums, saxophonist Nathan Haines, as well as Jess Penson (Kédu Carlö). The group centred the album around the power of shared joy, after what has been a very difficult year for many people. “By being a source of joy for others, you amplify that joy for both yourself and those around you, rather than losing anything,” reflects Walker.
Channelling classic emotive house, to disco, Afro and jazz funk on their debut album, Flamingo Pier cite a wide range of musical influences such as Khruangbin, Roisin Murphy, Peven Everett, house legends Masters at Work and Brazilian artist Tim Maia. This translates into an uplifting but nostalgic current running throughout the album – reflecting on last chances, soul-searching and longing for the carefree days of the dance floor.
The group were lucky enough to host the annual Flamingo Pier Festival on Waiheke Island just before another lockdown came into force in February 2021. While this year did not allow for international acts to perform, the vibrant local scene delivered. The power of music, with its ability to create and heighten joy amongst a crowd of people could not have been more apparent, or more needed in this time – something that this album aims to spread even further.
