User:Tourist Sound

Biography
Tourist arise from Auckland New Zealand. Playing distinctively original songs, the band has defined a brave new sound unique for this part of the world. Their rare ability to intertwine infectious melodic subtleties and stadium-ready anthems demonstrate a group well beyond their years. The quartet featuring Peter J Rudd (vocals, guitar) Rob Ranger (bass, vocals) Scott Gamble (guitar) and Simon de Vere (drums), have their debut album entitled ‘Minutes Last For Years’. This record will become the hypnotic soundtrack people can’t shake from their minds.

The album was recorded at Stir Studios, in the cold wet streets of Cardiff, Wales and at York Street Studios, amongst the warm wet streets of Auckland, New Zealand. ‘Minutes Last For Years’ was produced by award winning UK producer Greg Haver who has worked with international artists such as Manic Street Preachers, Catatonia, Super Furry Animals, Mel C and New Zealand acts The Feelers and Pluto. The resulting sound of this recording is one that is intense and exciting, yet at the same time openly accessible and honest. Peter J Rudd’s unmistakable voice, infectious melodies and thoughtful lyrics atop surging guitars and raunchy, pulsating rhythm section that together forge a masterfully structured debut album of colossal rock songs brimming with classic britpop style and distinct indie flare. Rip It Up magazine recently reviewing the band’s last EP release noted “Tourist are a fresh New Zealand band that I have confidence in getting very big because they are so original.”

'Minutes Last For Years' was recorded on Stir  studio's classic Trident TSM40 mixing desk that has history coursing  through its wood and wires. Together with its sister desk at Rockfield studios  in Wales the Trident has been used to record  some amazing records  from elite rock and pop artists in the UK including Oasis, Black Sabbath, Catatonia,  The Charlatans, The Cult, The Damned, Happy  Mondays, Manic  Street Preachers, Portishead, Queen, Rush, Super Furry Animals,  Stereophonics and The Stone Roses. Parts of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" were  recorded through the Trident desk.

Tourist was established in bass player Rob Ranger’s flat in late 2000 with co-founder and vocalist/songwriter Peter J Rudd after they had returned from explorations overseas. Tourist solidified their current four piece line up and in June 2002 independently released their limited edition CD EP 'Beginning of the World.' Featuring five tracks the debut EP received recognition both locally and overseas with radio stations both in New Zealand and the UK playing various songs. One of the songs from this EP titled “Picture Perfect” was licensed for the last three years for the soundtrack to an extensive Television New Zealand and radio advertisement campaign.

In October 2004 Tourist released their 2nd independent EP titled after the lead single “Do You Feel The Cold?” Real Groove Magazine reviewing the new release described “Do You Feel The Cold? as a strong, self-released cluster of tracks displaying the musical abilities of the band and their natural ear for melody and composition. The first single was recorded with assistance from NZ On Air and produced by Greg Haver. The song was featured on NZ On Air Kiwi Hit Disc 66, a rare feat for an unsigned New Zealand artist and received significant airplay on both commercial and student radio networks around the country, including being play-listed on Kiwi FM (formerly Channel Z) since May 2004 and hitting #1 on Auckland student radio station 95bFM for 4 weeks in October the same year. The single also featured on commercial radio station The Rock’s “Off The Record” show plus a music video screened extensively on nationwide music TV programmes. The band also performed the song live on Top of The Pops in November 2004.

Tourist was recently included on an emerging artist compilation CD for the inaugural MUSEXPO conference held in Los Angeles in May 2005. Subsequently, the nominated track "Do You Feel The Cold?" received airplay on a number of radio stations across North America including KDLD Los Angeles, KEDJ Phoenix, KNRK Portland, WEQX Manchester, VT/Albany, NY and KROG Medford/Ashland.

The 2nd single from the EP called “This Town” has also received considerable airplay, particularly on 95bFM and other bNet radio stations with a video released to the wider radio/television networks late 2004. The 3rd single off the sophomore EP titled “Island Song” was written for a good friend of the band who was tragically killed in a road accident while overseas and offers the suggestion that while Kiwis may venture off overseas to travel the world, the country they were born in will always be the home in their hearts. The video was made by another good friend of the band and the friend who was tragically killed. Shot on classic Super 8 film footage (transferred to DV Cam by Peter Jackson's Film Unit in Wellington) the music video conjures up images of New Zealand's beautiful, yet confrontational landscape.

Tourist are regular performers around New Zealand and have played internationally alongside artists such as Gramsci, 48 May, Zillionaire, Goodnight Nurse, The Heavy Jones Trio, Midwset Motorparts Corral, The Septembers, Leonard and The Fanatics to name a few.

The band has a number of plans this year including the release of their debut full length studio album ‘Minutes Last For Years’ and touring New Zealand and overseas. Keep a lookout for Tourist’s highly anticipated debut soon to be released…

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