Friday October 16

Andrew London Duo:

Songs about life’s obsessions
and absurdities

Friday October 16

Andrew London Duo:
life’s obsessions, absurdities and taboos

Kiwi musical satirist Andrew London and partner Kirsten deliver original songs about life’s obsessions, absurdities and taboos. 

Their style is a hybrid of jazz, blues and folk: Andrew describes it as a cross between Willie Nelson and Gilbert & Sullivan. 

Targets include pretentious socialites, televangelists, technology, youth culture, neighbours, and the joys of trying to earn a living in what we laughingly refer to as ‘The Music Business’.

Songs about Kiwi life in particular pepper the repertoire, with lines you don’t expect to hear, in songs like:  ‘I Mowed My Neighbour’s Berm Today’, ‘Please Don’t Make Me Play Down By The Toilets’, ‘I Hugged My Mate’ and ‘Country’s Buggered’.  

After half a lifetime playing covers in sweaty pubs in the 1970s, recording jazz standards in the ’80s, and running his own instrument retail business in the ’90s, Andrew began writing, performing and recording his unique and quirky songs about 25 years and 25 albums ago; firstly with Wellington swing trio Hot Club Sandwich and Kapiti country-rock band The Cattlestops, then, from 2012, with his own Andrew London Trio. This lineup introduced bass guitar-playing partner Kirsten to the stage who, in no time at all, demanded a microphone and now contributes vocal harmonies and an occasional Julie London, Blossom Dearie or Peggy Lee standard.  

The Londons have played clubs, festivals and functions all over New Zealand, also venturing as far as Sydney, Melbourne, Norfolk Island, Germany and Saudi Arabia.