The latest postcard from The Chills’ epic journey is an album about “consolidation, re-grouping, acceptance and mortality,” claims chief Chill, Martin Phillipps,. “Hopefully a kind of Carole King ‘Tapestry’ for ageing punks.”

Wow! Are rock bands allowed to grow old gracefully and assess the world’s and their shortcomings in the process? Is it possible to swerve the obvious and make something that’s bittersweet in tone but harmonious on the ear? Of course it is.

On “Snow Bound” lost heroes are lamented, relationships are re-evaluated, atonement is sought, mortality is mulled over and fake news is undercut. It’s serious stuff, the thoughts of a dysfunctional 50-something wrestling with maturity and discovering that their post-punk DIY beliefs still have a real voice that resonates between the fans of their early years and which can now pass down to the next generation.

Casting our minds back, we can recall that The Guardian mused, “They sound almost like the musical embodiment of autumn,” when confronted with “Silver Bullets”. Three years on, “Snow Bound” nestles heartily in its own winter of discontent. And all this with a humalong melodic verve, Phillipps’ gift for the tempered dalliance of verse and chorus, and those gorgeous euphoric organ fills. Let the soul-searching commence…

“Complex” is the first track to be released to from the album, out this Friday July 6th on all digital platforms.

Consolidating the album out upon the peaks and troughs of New Zealand’s wondrous land and soundscapes, The Chills set off again on an extensive national tour. With main centres, and some smaller towns they missed on the last run, included in the 14 dates.

The band will be joined by a cast of very special guests to open the shows, including solo sets from local hero/heroines Finn Andrews (The Veils), Tiny Ruins, Reb Fountain, and renowned American blues and Americana troubadour, Steve Gunn for the Waiheke and Whangarei shows. 

The Chills - “Snow Bound Tour” 

Sept 14 - Hamilton, Altitude with Reb Fountain (solo)

Sept 15  - Gisborne, The Dome  with Reb Fountain (solo) 

Sept 16 - Napier, The Cabana  with Reb Fountain (solo)

Sept 20 - Christchurch, Blue Smoke with Finn Andrews (The Veils)

Sept 21 - Dunedin, 50 Gorillas with Finn Andrews (The Veils)

Sept 22 - Wanaka, Water Bar, with Finn Andrews (The Veils)

Sept 27 - Wellington, San Fran with Tiny Ruins (solo) 

Sept 28 - New Plymouth, Mayfair Theatre with Tiny Ruins (solo) 

Sept 29 - Palmerston North, The Globe with Tiny Ruins (solo) 

Sept 30- Paekakariki, St Peter's Hall with Tiny Ruins (solo) 

Oct 4 - Whangarei, Butter Factory with Steve Gunn (U.S.A)

Oct 5 - Leigh, Sawmill Cafe with Finn Andrews (The Veils)

Oct 6 - Auckland, Galatos with Tiny Ruins (solo) 

Oct 7 - Waiheke Island, Artworks Theatre with Steve Gunn (U.S.A)

Tickets from www.undertheradar.co.nz