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Review By: Rob Harbers

Artist/Band: Distance, Myriad Drone Supported by Fvkvshima

Venue/City: Paisley Stage, Napier, New Zealand

Date of Event: Saturday 22nd February 2025

As much as we might like to cast a side-eye at our fellow Antipodeans across the ditch, it must be admitted that they do also produce some things worth valuing. A fine example of this was brought to Ahuriri’s coolest little venue, Paisley Stage, as the bands Distance and Myriad Drone stopped in on their joint tour of Aotearoa to deliver a sample of their post-rock stylings. A small but perfectly formed audience witnessed this instalment of cross-Tasman cultural exchange, and were mightily satisfied indeed!

The manuhiri’s appearances were preceded by Poneke’s Fukushima. An interesting inversion of the usual cliché of starting quiet and getting loud, Fukushima’s full-on sonic attack was the loudest thing we were to hear all night! An elaborate and complex sound, layered with audio liberally sampling cinematic dialogue. To be perfectly honest, a prog-metal mix that’s not entirely my personal cup of tea, but played with great proficiency and energy, and clearly being enjoyed by those with more appreciation of the genre, so who am I to take away from it?

After such an onslaught, Myriad Drone’s low-key, gentle intro seemed quite muted by comparison, although this was soon dispelled by the (almost) obligatory mid-song explosion, the sudden scream that is at the heart of much of this genre. Or at least the bits of the genre that I’m familiar with, which I’ll be the first to admit aren’t exactly wide and deep! But whatever the case, it was a glorious noise that was created. With their use of vocals as a component of the instrumentation, rather than being a central focus, they bring a point of difference to the table, one that provides a touch of distinction. The vocals are primarily provided by guitarist Shane Mulholland, supplemented by fellow strummer Jacob Peters. On rock-steady bass is Simon Delmastro, and the powerful and intricate drumming that underpins the whole venture is the domain of Hayley Kruiff. All coming together to form a very interesting package indeed. And one that showed their profound appreciation for the venue they found themselves performing in-Jacob declaring that it was quite spectacular to see a sitting audience, something they’d been after achieving for some time! “Bring couches, they will sit” indeed-Paisley Stage showing once more why it’s the coolest little place in town!

Such considerations dealt with, the night’s final treat, Distance, took their place on the hallowed ground, and proceeded to deliver yet more post-rock perfection. Sonic rivers, with deep and slow parts, alternating with fast-flowing rapids for an exhilarating journey, but not one liable to put anyone in any danger! The principal components of the sound are the usual suspects of bass, guitar and drums (provided by Sam Austin, Sam Butler and Levi Sheehan respectively), and there’s nothing wrong with that at all-it’s the combo that’s been getting the job done for 70+years so far. But the extra spice in their musical palette is the sax of Toby Leman, weaving it’s way sinuously through the melodies like some kind of sonic snake-one with all the scales, you might say! Again, a package to provide much aural delight.

The elephant in the room, though, with bringing post-rock to Te-Matau-a-Maui, is that it’s the place from which sprang one of the defining acts within that sphere, namely the mighty Jakob. And if you’re coming to royal ground, you better bring something special! And I’d have to say that both of the trans-Tasman visitors did just that. Both of them showing a debt to the ground breakers, while at the same time bringing their own twists on the formula. And kudos to them for having the bravery to conduct what could, on first glance, appear to be one of the ultimate coals-to-Newcastle operations! One from which they emerge with heads held high-the other side of entering such territory is knowing that the area is probably going to be ready for what it is you’re bringing, and they brought it indeed.

So this is, then, a pairing well worth checking out, that’ll reward the effort you make to get along when they touch down near you!