Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
The wait is over for dDub fans – after the EP release last winter, many have been clamouring to get their hands on the Auckland outfit’s long-player.
Polished and complete, the album brings together a range of influences, including reggae, dub, ska, roots, and even a touch of flamenco, all performed with assured musicianship.
dDub’s jaunty and high-energy signature hit, Give Up Your Love naturally invites comparison with another well-loved reggae outfit, the Black Seeds, as do several other tracks on Awake at Dawn.
However, dDub shows on this album it unequivocally hold its own, with some standout tracks sure to stamp its name firmly on the NZ dub circuit. Great listening.
- Otago Daily Times 25 02 06 – -Sophie Hazelhurst –
With eagerly anticipated new albums being released by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and the Black Seeds, it was always going to be difficult picking my album of the year. But in the depths of winter I think I've found it in the sublime summer sounds that make up the long-awaited debut album from dDub - Craccum magazine – August 2006 -
A digital party piece that could help snap the nation out of its Prozac-reggae slumber. Derek Browne [dDub frontman] is a master of sing along phrasing.
The production shines, Matt Shanks bass boasts more monster than King Kong.”
- New Zealand Herald Feb 18 02 06
After four-odd years of touring NZ dDub are established as a great vibrant live band and this 11- track morsel captures their corpulent horn slash roots rock sound well. Highlights? I say go with The Flow featuring the bright vocals of Caitlin Smith, the ethereal No Smoke and the lush Juju Mama but every track is uplifting and infinitely listenable.
I thoroughly recommend waking up early on Monday and getting your copy. A slice of heaven made in NZ.
- Christchurch Press Saturday 18 02 06
Nelson Arts Festival 13th October 2006
Dear Veronica
Thank you for a fabulous contribution to the Nelson Arts Festival 2006 opening parties. This year's More fm Carnivale was the best ever with great crowds partying in the street and your performance was a huge contributor to the atmosphere.
Your sound appeals to all ages and totally supported the atmosphere we want to achieve where children, teenagers, and adults are all partying in the same space and all having a great time.
Also your show at the Deutz Lighthouse opening night was a sell out and could have filled the venue several times with the demand. Those who got tickets are all talking about a great night and most danced all night.
We would be very interested in booking dDub again and would like to look at you performing at a big finale party next year.
Best wishes with the future and I have no hesitation in recommending you to other festival organisers.
Best wishes
Annabel Norman MNZM
Festival Director
Nelson Arts Festival
PO Box 645 Nelson
03 546 0254
027 272 9361
- Nelson arts fest
Discography
Give up Your Love EP 2004
Awake at Dawn LP 2006
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
dDub are one of Aotearoa’s best loved live acts. The high-energy Auckland-based 6-piece draw their musical influences from the heart of rock, roots, reggae, and dub, resulting in a fusion of flavours distinctly dDub in sound and style.
Their unique sound never fails to capture an audience’s attention and they have become firm crowd favourites at many nationwide outdoor festivals, including Splore, Queenstown Winter Festival, Soundsplash and Rhythm & Vines. The band’s relentless touring and passion for their craft has seen them grow and expand their existing loyal fan base even further these past 12 months.
The debut long player from dDub, Awake at Dawn, is the culmination of years of hard work and the realisation of a long-held dream. “This album is a milestone in the dDub journey” says band guitarist and lead vocalist Derek Browne. “To finally have the songs recorded [and] set in time for people to actually take away with them is fantastic.”
“…A long awaited recording for their substantial fan base, it loses none of the magical essence of a dDub live show. Pumping out a raw roots Pacifica aural experience with bold brass and unapologetic passion.”
Real Groove Magazine March 06 – * * * * 4 Stars - Sharyn Croft -
With several nationwide tours under their belt, dDub’s live performance repertoire is impressive. In the past 12 months, dDub has performed to thousands of New Zealanders, including an 8000 strong crowd at Queenstown’s 2005 Winter Festival where they were brought back on stage for three pumping encores!
Other live shows include: Rhythm & Vines Gisborne (2005), Ohakune Mardi Gras (2002 / 2005), Soundsplash Festival (2003 / 2006), Wellington’s Cuba St Carnival (2002), Splore (2004 / 2006), Grey Lynn festival (2003), AK05 (2005) The Auckland City Performing Arts Festival (2005) and many others.
dDub performed extensively over 2006 summer season, sharing stages with other high profile acts including Fat Freddy’s Drop, Salmonella Dub, Cornerstone Roots, The Black Seeds, Katchafire and Kora.
“Polished and complete, the album brings together a range of influences, including reggae, dub, ska, roots, and even a touch of flamenco, all performed with assured musicianship. dDub shows on this album it unequivocally holds its own, with some standout tracks sure to stamp its name firmly on the NZ dub circuit.”
Otago Daily Times 25 02 06 – * * * * * 5 Stars - Sophie Hazelhurst -
Recent festivals dDub have performed at in New Zealand.
2006 Aug - Coromandel Scallop Festival 6,000
2006 New Year - Rhythm and Vines 10,000
2006 Feb - Soundsplash Raglan 4,000
2006 Feb - Devonport Food and Wine Festival 3,500
2006 Feb - Splore Eco Festival 5,000
2006 Mar - Littleweed Festival KatiKati 2,500
2005 July - Queenstown Mardi Gra (3rd time) 7,000
Links
