Tally Ho! 30th Anniversary

The Flying Nun 30^th Anniversary month of November is over. Most anniversaries are over a long holiday weekend but it’s a bit tricky fitting 30 shows (and 20 odd bands) into that many days. So, what was an idea for a simple celebration that would be an excuse to see some favorite artists new and old expanded into a month long event taking in all the main centres. I blame enthusiasm, so we returned to our roots in a sense.

It was pleasure to see bands with histories as long as the labels come together and deliver exceptional performances proving themselves as relevant and vital today as any time in the past. But what was special for me was to see the new signings perform and interact with one another and the older artists as well. Everyone enjoyed the experience and it became more than just a series of gigs under a convenient banner. They were social gatherings in the best sense and very real celebrations.

The Tribute Shows were great fun as well. 80 odd bands spread over five shows in New Zealand, two in Australia and one in New York. Sets of their own material splattered with covers of Flying Nun favorites played straight or twisted beyond the point of recognition. Well done everybody.

And we released our new compilation ‘Tally Ho!’ on time. Not just before Christmas but during the 30^th to boot. I’m really happy with ‘Tally Ho!’. It was great fun to finally put together a “Best Of” selection but agonising leaving artists and songs off. The finished track listing is essentially the label’s highlights from the The Clean’s “Tally Ho!” to now, 30 years later. It’s titled ‘Flying Nun’s Greatest Bits’, but there is plenty of other material just as good and for me the whole experience has reinforced the depth and breath of the Flying Nun catalogue. A catalogue of huge diversity representing the best of musical creativity in New Zealand over the last 30 years.

The future? Actually it has started already when we started signing new bands. When we get around to having another big old get together and do another compilation it will be these artists who will be headlining and pushing their older label mates off the new compilation. Which is just how it should be.

- Roger Shepherd

Flying Nun Records would like to thank all those who played, supported and made the 30th Anniversary happen, in particular:

Charlotte Ryan, Ian ‘Blink’ Jorgensen and A Low Hum, Henrietta Harris, The Clean, The Subliminals,  High Dependency Unit, The Bats, Shayne P. Carter, The Verlaines, Ghost Club, Fetus Productions and X Features, The Puddle, Solid Gold Hell, Grayson Gilmour, Dead C, F in Math, Popstragers, T54, Badd Energy, Surf Friends, Sharpie Crows, David Saunders, Dear Time’s Waste, Delaney Davidson, The Phoenix Foundation and all the bands who played and all the artists and bands involved over the last 30 years.

The Kings Arms, San Francisco Bathhouse, CPSA and Ross Herrick at the Dux Live, Sammys, Mighty Mighty, Golden Dawn, Hector at Chicks Hotel, Oscar at The Roastery, The Garden Club. Trilby Crowthers, Craig Eassion, Matthew Crawley, Francis Carter, Marc Swadel, Chris Knox and Barbara Ward, Stuart Page, Ben Howe, David Beacham, Rebecca Lees, Jessica Prendergast, Matthew Kerr, Rachael Brandon, Simon Ward, Matt Scobie, Marcus Winstanley, Martin Trusttum, Sam Clark, Dyaln Herekes, Tony at Options Rentals, Joseph Veale Jeff Fulton and CHART, Leila George, Luci and DJ, Lesley Paris, Ian Henderson, Tom Bell, Ian Dalziel, Carol Tippet, Tony Renouf at Too Tone Records, Darren Steadman and Castle MacAdam. Kellie Morgan for organising the New York Tribute show, Sean O’Brien and Gemma Gracewood, Nicci Reid, Wing and Gill and The Workers Club, Static Bar in Hamilton and The Bridge Club in Brisbane.

Luke, Kelly and all at Epic Beer. Sam Wicks, John Baker and all at Volume Magazine, Manu, Pennie, Troy and all at 95bFM, Aaron, Ria and all at Radio 1, James, Gabe and all at RDU, Radio Active, Angela and Courtney at Undertheradar. Andrew Tidball and CheeseonToast, Russell Brown and Public Address, Groove Guide, Jamey and all at Phantom. Duncan Grieve and Barkers Clothing. New Zealand Music Commission, Renee and all at IMNZ, Simon Coley, All Good Bananas, Powershop, New Zealand on Air, RIANZ, PPNZ, Film Archive, New Zealand on Screen, Mushroom Music, Otago University and MAINZ.

Phil Howling, Stephanie Booth, Jeremy Morrow, Shelley Burcher, Rachael Botur and all at Warner Music New Zealand. Andrew B. White, Mark Rogers, Harvey Saward and Steve Cross at Remote Control Records, Gary Held and all at Revolver USA, Simon Keller and Forte Distribution.

And all the Flying Nun staff, helpers, friends and good sorts both past and present.