One of the real finds for me last year was the Wellington-based band In The Shallows, who are based around the core of Danni Parsons and Lance Shepherd (the band is completed by Andrew Bain (Fur Patrol) and Nick Brown (Eb & Sparrow, Vorn)). I was fortunate enough to see them at one of their rare Auckland gigs (note to self, when it says Auckland check that it is in the city, and not a festival 100kms north!). They recently opened for Tui Folk award winner Amiria Grenell and had support from NZMA’s Best Country Music Artist Jenny Mitchell, Jocee Tuck and TOMMY on their debut album tour.
I loved the self-titled debut album, and still have issues picking a favourite from it as they are all so good, and already they are back with a new song (which hopefully means another new album soon!). As always, the focus is on Danni’s vocals, which are pure and clear, yet the arrangement is sublime with underlying electric piano, some gorgeous bass lines, and Lance joining in on harmony vocals when the time is right. There are also some strings, and the result is yet another beautiful alt-folk number which is incredibly inviting, demanding the listener pay full attention. The video shows the band miming on a sound stage, while there is also a ballerina, but it actually does not need anything more than that as this is all about the music and those wonderful vocals. When I reviewed their album I said, “Anyone who enjoys acoustic music, performed by some wonderful singers, containing songs with a purpose yet so varied that the album never gets tiring, will find this is simply essential.” The same goes for the new single, bring on the album!
Rating: 10/10
