In the lead up to Steve Abels third album titled Luck/Hope set for release early 2016, the songwriter releases a new single called “Sidewalk Doves”.
The song was inspired by an early cut of Florian Habicht’s (Pulp: A Film About Life, Death, And Supermarkets) New York-set film Love Story which won the Best Film award at the New Zealand Film Awards in 2011. The video for “Sidewalk Doves” was cut from footage of Florian’s film.
“I was in New York recording when Flo was conceiving the film in 2009,” says Steve. “When I saw the first cut of the film I went home and wrote this song in an instant. It’s a super simple kind of frivolous pop song.”
“Sidewalk Doves” was recorded by Geoff Maddock (Bressa Creeting Cake, Goldenhorse) at Rick Bryant’s studio in Newton. Geoff also played electric guitar, bass and sang backing vocals along with Ed McWilliams. Cole Goodly played drums. It was mixed by Simon Gooding at The Lab.
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Abel is about to embark on a three-date South Island tour accompanied by Reb Fountain and Jonathan Pearce (Princess Chelsea, The Beths).
CHRISTCHURCH
Thursday 12 November at Gustavs with Nadia Reid and Reb Fountain
PORT CHALMERS
Friday 13 November at Chicks with Reb Fountain
QUEENSTOWN
Saturday 14 November at Sherwood with Susan Alcorn (US)
Tickets are available now from Under the Radar
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Video visuals for “Sidewalk Doves” from the film Love Story by Florian Habicht. Photography by Maria Ines Manchego. With Masha Yakovenko, Florian Habicht & the people of NYC. Watch the full film here: www.watchlovestory.com
Abel is an Auckland born musician.
His debut Little Death was named 2006 Alternative Album of the Year and listed in the NZ Herald’s Best Sounds of 2006. The album features the seminal Duet (Lonely I Be) with Kirsten Morrell, and the rollicking Sweetheart among many other heart-rending tracks.
“Arrant musical hypnosis…a treasure” – William Dart, Radio NZ Concert FM
“A melancholic masterpiece” – Pavement Magazine
“Beautifully crafted” – Southland Express
Abel’s released his universally acclaimed sophomore album FLAX HAPPY in 2008). Fomenting the first album collaboration with the same band of musicians – newly named The Chrysalids – FLAX HAPPY also features Texan alt-folk chanteuse Jolie Holland and New Zealand’s Anika Moa.
“A fine collection of dark, otherworldly tunes – Sparse, spellbinding and special” (Marty Duda, Real Groove Magazine).
“Wonderful. Actually, beyond wonderful.” – Andrew Tidball, www.cheeseontoast.co.nz
**** “Sublime” – Dominion Post
**** “A Rarity” – NZ Herald
