Liam Finn
| Liam Finn | |
|---|---|
 Finn at the world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - November 2012 Wellington, New Zealand. | |
| Background information | |
| Born |
24 September 1983 Melbourne, Australia |
| Origin | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Genres | Indie rock, dream pop |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels |
Liberation Music (AUS/NZ) Yep Roc Records (USA) Independent Records (Ireland) |
Liam Mullane Finn (born 24 September 1983) is a New Zealand musician and songwriter. Born in Melbourne, Australia, he moved to New Zealand as a child. He is the son of musicians Sharon and Neil Finn.
Career
The former frontman of New Zealand band Betchadupa, Finn released his solo debut I'll Be Lightning in 2007. The album drew on his experiences when the band lived in London. Finn chose to record the album entirely in analogue. During concerts aduring this era, Liam created an instrumental layering effect by using a looping effects pedal (the Line6 JM-4 Looper), plus a Boss Super-Octave 3 to create bass guitar lines. Eliza-Jane Barnes, with whom he recorded collaborative EP Champagne in Seashells, often accompanies him as a backup vocalist and multi-instrumentalist.
Finn's second solo album FOMO was released in June 2011. The same year saw the release of single "The Struggle" and the announcement of shows in New Zealand, along with a 14-date North American tour. Finn toured with his band Liam Finn and the Come Agains.[1] Finn's third solo album "The Nihilist" was released worldwide in April 2014. Recorded at his own studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Liam toured the album with his band the "Dream Team" which featured his brother Elroy Finn, long time collaborator Elize-Jane Barnes, Cecilia Herbert and Jimmy Metherell. Along with frequent live members Connan Mockasin Kirin J Callinan and Matthew Eccles, the "Dream Team" held a concert on the roof of Liam's studio on Easter Sunday 2014 winning them the "Live Spectacle Of The Year" award at the IAMA 2014.
Live shows
Finn has toured the world several times performing with Wilco, Eddie Vedder, Pearl Jam and The Black Keys, as well as at numerous festivals. He has also performed at such famous venues as La Paradiso, Largo, Bowery Ballroom, Scala, The Corner and on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.
In 2008 and 2009 Finn opened for Eddie Vedder's solo tour throughout America. Finn also headlined his first North American tour and headed out on the road with The Black Keys in November 2008 in the UK and Europe. At the Dutch Crossing Border Festival he met Yuri Landman and borrowed a drum guitar, which he used on stage in the Netherlands and Germany.[2] Afterwards Landman invented a new instrument for him, a 24 string electric cymbalum called the Tafelberg,[3] which he incorporated at his stage performances.
In December 2008 and January 2009, he participated in recording sessions for the second album by ensemble group 7 Worlds Collide.
Finn played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 14 March 2009 for Sound Relief, a multi-venue rock music concert in support of relief for the Victorian Bushfire Crisis.[4][5] The event was held simultaneously with a concert at the Sydney Cricket Ground.[4] All the proceeds from the Melbourne Concert will go to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire relief.[4][5] Appearing with Finn in Melbourne were Augie March, Bliss n Eso with Paris Wells, Gabriella Cilmi, Hunters & Collectors, Jack Johnson, Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson with Troy Cassar-Daley, Kings Of Leon, Jet, Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly, Split Enz and Wolfmother.[6]
In August 2009, Finn performed with a new band called BARB on a small New Zealand tour with a band consisting of Connan Hosford (Connan and the Mockasins), James Milne (Lawrence Arabia), Eliza Jane Barnes, Seamus Ebbs, Jol Mulholland and Wild Bill Rickets. Their album (recorded at Roundhead Studios in Auckland) was released 24 August 2010.[7]
In January 2014, Finn toured New Zealand for the first time since 2011. This time with a new backing band The Salty Women which consisted of mostly past collaborators including James Milne (Lawrence Arabia), Eliza Jane Barnes, and brother Elroy Finn.[8]
Murmuration Residencies
In January 2012, Finn held his first residency at the Rock Shop in Brooklyn, NY. Performing every Monday in January 2012. Finn was joined by several special guests over the run of shows, including Mikael Jorgensen of Wilco and Greg Saunier of Deerhoof.
The second Murmuration residency was held in April 2013 at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, NY. Once again holding a similar format of playing once a week for the entire month. Songs from his forthcoming album The Nihilist were tested during this run. This was followed by a 'one off' Murmuration at Largo, in Los Angeles, CA on April 28, 2013.
In March 2014 the third annual Murmuration was held at Union Pool in Brooklyn, NY, performed on every Tuesday of the month. Finn performed with his band 'Dreamteam', featuring Elroy Finn (Drums), Matt Eccles (Bass), Cecelia Herbert (Keys, Vocals) and Eliza-Jane Barnes (Guitar, Vocals, several other instruments). For the final two shows, long time friend and collaborator Connan Mockasin joined Finn and the band on stage for several songs.
With Neil Finn and Crowded House
Finn and his father Neil covered The Beatles song "Two of Us" for the European version of the I Am Sam film soundtrack. Finn also contributed a song, "Lucid Dream", to the soundtrack of New Zealand movie Rain, directed by Christine Jeffs.
After the reunion of the band Crowded House in early 2007, Finn became part of its touring band for the Time on Earth tour, playing concerts such as Coachella Festival and Live Earth in Sydney. He has appeared with the band occasionally on later tours.
Finn, along with his brother Elroy, performed with Neil during the WOMADelaide 2009 in Botanic Park in Adelaide. The same year Finn and his father performed with Eddie Vedder during Pearl Jam's concert at Auckland's Mount Smart Stadium. They sang the Chris Knox song "Not Given Lightly" dedicating the song to Knox, who is recovering from a stroke.
On 29 November 2009 Finn and his father also sang together (along with Pearl Jam, Ben Harper and Eliza-Jane Barnes) at Christchurch's AMI Stadium. They sang "Better Be Home Soon" and the Split Enz classic "I Got You".[9]
Discography
Albums
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NZ [10] |
UK | US | |||
| 2007 | I'll Be Lightning |
|
7 | 13 | 46 |
| 2011 | FOMO |
|
5 | 26 | 21 |
| 2014 | The Nihilist |
|
8 | 11 | 9 |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||
Live albums
- Live (in Spaceland) – 22 February 2008, Spaceland Recordings
- Live From The Wiltern – (2008) Yep Roc Records
EPs
- Second Chance (2007)
- Champagne In Seashells (2009)
With Betchadupa
- betchadupa EP (2000)
- 3D EP (2001)
- The Alphabetchadupa (2002)
- Aiming For Your Head (2004)
With BARB
- Barb, (2010)
References
- ↑ "Liam Finn: FOMO". Spin Magazine. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ↑ "Youtube clip where Liam performs with the drum guitar". Youtube. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
- ↑ "Liam Finn: No place like home". The Days of Lore. 7 December 2009. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
- 1 2 3 Brumby, John (24 February 2009). "Artists Unite For 'Sound Relief' Bushfire Benefit – Premier of Victoria, Australia". Premier of Victoria. Retrieved 25 February 2009.
- 1 2 Mitchell, Geraldine (24 February 2009). "Coldplay, Kings of Leon to headline bushfire relief concerts". Herald Sun. Australia: The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd. Archived from the original on 25 February 2009. Retrieved 25 February 2009.
- ↑ "Latest News". Sound Relief. Archived from the original on 27 February 2009. Retrieved 25 February 2009.
- ↑ "Yep Roc Records > Artist Info". Yeproc.com. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
- ↑ "Under The Radar - Live Reviews, Liam Finn at Galatos Auckland, January 31st 2014".
- ↑ Anderson, Vicki (2009-11-30). "Pearl Jam a hit in Christchurch-review". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
- ↑ "LIAM FINN IN NEW ZEALAND CHARTS". Charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2014.