The Verlaines present Dunedin Spleen for Record Store Day 2020
It’s been 40 years since The Verlaines came together in Dunedin, New Zealand, but these antipodean stalwarts have just announced the release of their first new music on vinyl in nearly three decades. The limited edition pressing of their 10th album Dunedin Spleen is set for release on October 24th - a double album no less, on coloured vinyl presented in a gatefold sleeve, all ready for Record Store Day 2020.
Rewind to February 2012, which saw the release of ninth album Untimely Meditations - their third in a five year period after a decade away from the studio. The songwriting and compositional output of founder and sole remaining original member Graeme Downes had never been more prolific. Downes soon had another album ready to go and as early as 2013 basic tracks were in the can. But before those were even completed Downes penned enough for yet another album, again setting lyrics to music using composers tool Sibelius, rendering virtual demos of each song in full. So it was back into the studio to lay down more rhythm tracks during Easter 2014. By then the band felt confident there was enough quality material in the offing to make up a double album, with over 20 songs and 90+ minutes of music to choose from.
Around this time the idea to hold a concert of classic Dunedin songs fleshed out for a full orchestra had been in discussion between Downes and local music champion the late Roy Colbert. By August 2014 "Tally Ho" was born and such a resounding success that a further two shows were staged, all performed in the magnificent Dunedin Town Hall. Meanwhile progress in the studio was steady but a little slower than previously planned, but by the end of 2018 the 19 songs that make up Dunedin Spleen were now ready for release.
Mixed in Dunedin then mastered at Abbey Road, London by Frank Arkwright (Joy Division, New Order, Roxy Music, Blur etc) and North Carolina label Schoolkids Records (Buffalo Tom, Marty Willson-Piper, Adam Franklin). Label owner Stephen Judge suggested a vinyl release for Record Store Day. RSD Black Friday in November 2019 was mooted, but the list was already closed off, so label and band agreed to hold out until Record Store Day itself in April 2020.
However, in early 2020 came the Covid virus and inevitably Record Store Day was postponed. And so (barring all manner of calamity!) Dunedin Spleen will see the light of day on vinyl this October!
The journey from inception to physical release for the record has been epic, but the band are very excited both by the album's imminent release and by the new partnership with Schoolkids Records.
