8 December 2009 :
New album out!
The third Electric Era album 'Too Many Damaged Heroes' was officially launched today. It was celebrated in style at the 'SAE Night - Album Release Party' at the Windsor Castle/Juice Bar in Parnell, Auckland. More than 300 people saw The Electric Era's first gig and had a memorable night as the line-up of Karsten (vocals, guitar), Marcel (lead guitar), Brignall (drums), Taneth (backing vocals, percussion), Leal (bass) and Dave (keyboards, samples) took the stage and played several songs off the new album as well as some older tracks from previous releases. The album is out on CD Baby and several other places.
27 November 2009 :
Cycling on the Harbour Bridge - official DVD release today
In line with the media release for a cycle and walkway solution by Getacross campaigners, the DVD music video for the iconic song was officially released today. You can view the video on Youtube. A high quality DVD version can be bought via mail order. Just leave your email address with the words 'Cycling Video' in the text box and I will get back to you. The DVD is also available through TradeMe, but only while the limited run lasts. All sales profits go to the Getacross campaign for a cycling and walking facility on Auckland's harbour bridge.
2 November 2009 :
Album out on 8 December!
It's been twenty months since The Electric Era's second album 'A Little Less Gravity', with three of its songs getting a decent spin on New Zealand radio. Now the band is back with album number three, entitled 'Too Many Damaged Heroes'. It's due for release on the Tunnel Audio label on 8th December 2009.
For
this
release,
Karsten
Schwardt
has
put
together
a
live
band
to
bring
the
songs
to
the
stage
for
the
first
time.
The
release
party
is
scheduled
for
the
SAE
Night
on
8th
December
at
Juice
Bar/
Windsor
Castle
in
Parnell. Read more...
30 August 2009 :
Video out on Youtube!
Check out the video for Cycling on the Harbour Bridge, fresh out on Youtube now.
11 August 2009 :
Keeping the suspense!
Going by the last post, the CD should be out by now, but some last minute quality control measures have prevented that. The release date has been pushed back to nudge up the overall production quality.
Meanwhile, the Era has concentrated all efforts into this song. It is a campaign song for Getacross that will be accompanied by a snazzy little video clip, out on Youtube in a short while. It will not be on the new album, but is a free download and a single release. Enjoy and get yer bike out!
27 April 2009 :
Album 3 finished!
Boasting 13 gorgeous new songs, The Electric Era's third studio album Too Many Damaged Heroes is immanent. Recording and mixing is finalised, artwork is in the bag, distribution and promotion is being organised as we speak. The long wait is almost over. Fifteen months after their last release, the band is back with brandnew, super-strong material that will convince everybody that The Era are here to stay, roots firmly planted in New Zealand's indie-pop paddock.
Out on CD Baby soon and available directly from the artist as of mid-June, you can bathe in The Era's 2009 version of their famed anti-gloss pop.
12 April 2009 :
Recording The Finishing Touches!
Now that Brignall has almost finished adding his backing vocal wizardry to the new tracks, nothing is in the way of a timely album release within the next two months. I've been working hard out on the mixing and album artwork. No time wasted.
5 January 2009:
Back From The Studio!
Just returned from a studio session recording Brignall Wood on drums for thirteen new Electric Era songs. So evidently the next album is just around the corner, with an envisaged release date of mid 2009. I deliberately haven't posted any samples anywhere yet to keep the album fresh and new when it finally comes out.
28 July 2008:
Graveyard Of Toys on Kiwi FM!
Just received news that 'Graveyard Of Toys' of the new album will feature in the 'New Song' slot on Kiwi FM, so tune in on 102.2 in Auckland, 102.1 in Welli or 102.5 in Ch'Ch.
Or go to www.kiwifm.co.nz
14 July 2008:
What others think about the new album!
Read this review from the latest New Zealand Musician. Also remember: you can get the album at CD Baby, from TradeMe or directly from me. So no excuses, get your copy quick. Go on...
23 April 2008:
Get the new album free on Amiestreet!
Get THE ELECTRIC ERA's new album absolutely free at Amiestreet! Yes, you read correctly, ABSOLUTELY FREE. But be quick, the more people download it, the quicker the price goes up, so get in there first and get it for nothing!
4 April 2008:
New album available on CD Baby
Buy THE ELECTRIC ERA's compact disc 'A Little Less Gravity' at CD Baby as of today!
23 March 2008:
New album out today!
More than two years in the making, 'A Little Less Gravity', The Electric Era's most ambitious album so far, has been let loose on online music retailers worldwide.
There are twelve tracks, some of which can be sampled on MySpace, on Facebook and on the band's listen page. The CD clocks in at just under 50 minutes and, in general, is a little less grave than the 2005 debut.
The album is available either directly from the artist or via TradeMe (type the name of the album into the search field and hit Go). It has also been shipped to all the online music download merchants. However, it may take a few weeks before everybody stocks it. Check for a list of supported download retailers here.
11 March 2008:
New website launched today
Marking the upcoming release of THE ELECTRIC ERA's new album, the website's functionality and aesthetics have received an overhaul. The listen page now includes the final mastered versions of six of the new tracks. Enjoy heaps!
21 December 2007:
THE ELECTRIC ERA supports OXFAM
The new album is just around the corner. So to help clear out the remaining stock of the previous album 'The Ground Below', I have decided to donate NZ$5 to OXFAM for every copy sold, either on CD Baby, TradeMe or directly through me. This does not apply to downloads, only to good old-fashioned compact discs. So, happy buying, it is for a good cause...
Oxfam work with poor communities and local organisations worldwide to help people address the root causes of poverty. Check out their website here.
11 June 2007:
Brig Wood plays drums on new album
Former Fang drummer Brignall Wood has lent his considerable talents to the cause and laid down twelve drum tracks for The Electric Era's new album, due out in 2008. He has also contributed as a guitarist and backing vocalist extending the range of the new material.
21 March 2007:
Top Ten Perfect Pop Moments Of All Time
Okay, due to popular demand (who's reading this anyway?) here are ten pop songs I cannot get sick of no matter how sickeningly 'easy listening' they are.
- Yes, that's a compliment.
- No, there's no ABBA song here.
1. Livin' Thing - Electric Light Orchestra
2. Sound & Vision - David Bowie
3. Glass Of Champagne - Sailor
4. Maybe Tomorrow - Goldenhorse
5. Venus - Shocking Blue (the original, not the Bananarama crap)
6. In Between Days - The Cure
7. Karma Chameleon - Boy George
8. Sway - Bic Runga
9. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
10. Doot Doot - Freur
Any others I have forgotten?? Submit your comments here.
26 February 2007:
I'm famous!
Well, kind of. At least my artwork is appreciated by others. The picture you see in the background here, is now the backdrop for a Swedish band's MySpace page.
Naturally, when I discovered it I felt very flattered ... only I hadn't been asked for permission to use it.
Now I'm not really a spoilsport as such, so I asked for their MySpace friendship and left a comment on their page, saying that I'm glad they liked my pic, and we might as well be friends, sharing the same tastes and all. That comment got deleted ... accidentally, I presume.
Then I sent them an email saying that it's cool to use the pic, but some acknowledgement, in the form of my comment, should have been in order. They never replied ... due to language problems, I presume.
Ah well, the web's a wonderful place. I just had to get it off my chest.
Check them out here... I go there often 'cause I like looking at myself.
1 July 2006:
Download The Electric Era's Debut Album From The iTunes Music Store
If you have iTunes installed, click here to go to Apple's iTMS and buy "The Ground Below". Click the Buy link to see a list of all the music retailers that sell the CD.
18 June 2006:
Finally Online: Under The Duvet
Under The Duvet, the dissertation that was written at the conclusion of The Electric Era online marketing project, can be found here. Read about the genesis of the project and the results of the undertaken research. If you are into marketing your music online, this will explain the processes and provide a gazillion useful links and resources.
15 April 2006:
Interview: Conquering Internet Music Distribution
Read Aroha Harawira's interview with Karsten Schwardt of The Electric Era here.
1 February 2006:
'The Ground Below' now available on CD Baby
Yes, you can buy the album now, and for a bargain price. It is up and running on CD Baby, widely known among musicians and fans as one of the best distribution options for independent musicians. Click here to go to my store corner at CD Baby or click on the Buy link on this page. You can also write a review of the album. And that would be really choice! Or 'echt geil', as you say in German.
23 December 2005:
The Electric Era's new CD is out!
In December 2005, just missing the christmas shopping season, The Electric Era's debut album titled 'The Ground Below' was released exclusively on-line via the www.theelectricera.com website.
