Andrew Keoghan

The finalists for the annual Taite Prize have been announced with seven acts vying for the $10,000 prize given to what the award's judges say is the best New Zealand album of the past year.

In the running are:

* Chamber-pop maestro Andrew Keoghan for his debut Arctic Tales Divide.

* Wellington metallers Beastwars for their self-titled debut.

* Hip-hop star David Dallas for sophomore album The Rose Tint.

* She's So Rad - aka multi-talented Jeremy Toy - for his solo debut of dreamy fuzzpop In Circles.

* Tiny Ruins aka singer-songwriter songstress Hollie Fullbrook for her delicate debut, Some Were Meant For Sea. - The New Zealand Herald

Immaculate baroque pop craftsmanship combined with Keoghan's enchanting vocals helped make this the top local album of the year, but it was the perfectly pitched fragility, and wry observation in the songwriting that produced goosebumps. Arrangements were imbued with remarkable light and space, born of his fascination with things both cosmic and arctic. Plucked and strummed violin, electronic bleeps, and shimmering guitar sat beautifully around Keoghan's crooning, as he contemplated everything from the life of a K Rd prostitute to grandparents. LJ - The New Zealand Herald

Link to radio review by Nick Bollinger - Radio New Zealand National

Indie, but not as we know it. Anyone who has seen Andrew Keoghan live will tell you how good he is - an electric combination of chorally trained voice, loops and his grandfather's violin, played like a guitar. His debut album has that and more - a lush, beautifully produced effort with help from accomplished friends including Jol Mulholland and Gareth Thomas. A very special album indeed. - Air New Zealand Kia ora magazine

".. Opening track Carnival Lights sets the scene, showcasing Andrew’s quiet astonishing vocal range, the song itself is intoxicating.."

"There’s a brief reprise in the middle of the record, where things are gently soothed, before the title track shines along like a sunset might sound; funk-led rhythms set fire to choral moments with a slow cinder burn in a small bonfire on a Western beach, before Floor’s A Canvas waltzes into a whirlwind of gorgeous." Andrew Tidball - Cheese on Toast

"..The audience cuddled up on bean bags and were lulled into a respectful silence as the classically trained songwriter/composer/multi-instrumentalist performed songs from his new album Arctic Tales Divide. Andrew’s unique sound combines his classical training in singing and violin with folk and pop. He uses a loop pedal to layer guitar and violin solos with haunting vocals. On the night he swapped between mediums with such ease, it was hard not to be impressed by his raw talent..."

- Broadsheet Melbourne, Australia

by Scott Kara

".. The album, that 30-year-old Keoghan recorded with producer and drummer Wayne Bell who plays a prominent role on the record, is a magical, multi-layered pop gem, with folky, classical and electronic influences throughout. It's also an early contender for local album of the year with its revealing, honest and beautifully told tales about everything from love (on the touching serenade of I Have Only Eyes For You and the eddying pulse of Ca Va Bien Merci), to tearing up the dancefloor at a wedding on Floor's a Canvas..."

- New Zealand Herald

Andrew Keoghan followed and was a similar delight - though his music was of quite a different vibe. Keoghan very much reminded me of Andrew Bird or Owen Pallet - the sort of solo artist who likes doing everything themselves, even when a band may supporting. Looped guitars, violins… whatever it may be. I only caught a few tracks but they were spellbinding. He may have been making music for a while now, but he remains an artist to place firmly in the “one to watch” category. - AU Review

CD of the week - 4/5

It's mother's day today, and also NZ Music Month, so if you're one of those unworthy children who neglected to buy your mum a gift, get thee to a record shop haste and do the decent thing. And please, don’t let some scurrilous shop assistant fob you off with the latest dreary pop-classical release by Elizabeth Marvelly or Hayley Westenra. You love you mum, right, so why patronise her?

It’s entirely possible that she might appreciate a little sonic strangeness and some cliché-free songs, so may I be so bold as to nudge you in the direction of Arctic Tales Divide by former One News reporter Andrew Keoghan. Like Marvelly and Westenra, Keoghan was raised on a steady diet of opera and classical music, but unlike the aforementioned snoozesome twosome, he mixes classical influences and pop in fresh and surprising ways, plucking away at his grandad’s 130-year-old violin like a guitar, looping up stirring one-man-choir backing vocals, crooning his agreeably complex love ballads in a glorious voice that recalls Chet Baker, Morrissey and Jeff Buckley. If your mum hates it, blame me.

Grant Smithies
- Sunday Star Times

Stars: 4.5/5

".. it's Keoghan's clear, strong voice and elliptical lyrics which command attention, delivered up-close and central with gorgeously melodic swoops and soars (often multi-tracked as backing vocals)."

".. delivers an impressive debut about gentle, often confusing love."
Graham Reid

- New Zealand Herald

".. the central instrument is Keoghan’s voice. When he sings it is as though all other sounds move over to make room.."

".. His melodies build towards choruses in which he flies effortlessly into falsetto. Sometimes he layers multiple voices, creating small choirs of himself."

".. Keoghan has made a charming and accomplished album. What’s more, he appears to have found a musical niche that – locally, at least – he has all to himself."

Nick Bollinger - The Listener

We're big fans of Andrew Keoghan and his violin. If you're after a show full of melody, beauty & charm check him out. - Musichype

Andrew Keoghan took the stage with Lawrence Arabia drummer Dan Ward for their first show of the CMJ conference. At times reminiscent of Scott Walker's unique vocal styling, Keoghan's voice is stunning. Armed with a violin, a guitar and an array of pedals used to great effect, his songs build and swell, demanding the listener's attention. - The New Zealand Herald