Tapes, Taites and Tacos
Is this thing still on?
Hello! Gussie here - Long time no substack. We’ve had our heads down working on all sorts of things, while also trying to stay sane in our first northern hemisphere winter. But now the sun is out and we can just see the glimmer of summer ahead, thank god. Winter has been great for working on projects, which I’ll give you a little glimpse of…
A couple of weeks ago we escaped to sunny L.A. to record our third album. It sounds like such a cliche rock n roll thing to do, but the reason we went there is because the record was produced by Mr. Ty Segall. I’m sure he needs no introduction for our loyal substack subscribers but the quick rundown anyway - Ty is a songwriter and producer who is known for his early thrashy garage rock records, intricate proggy journey albums (his latest ‘Three Bells’ is essential listening) and of course the band Fuzz. He’s ridiculously prolific, having released over 15 solo albums and many other side projects.
We started chatting about working on a record together in June last year, when we were supporting him and his band on tour in Europe and the UK. It all worked out and we ended up spending about two weeks in LA.
Without giving too much away, the new album is looser and more raw than our previous ones. I think if you like our live show you will dig it. It was all recorded and mixed to tape, and it was so refreshing to not be staring at a computer screen. I’ll reveal more in the coming months but for now here are some photos of tacos we ate :)
Back to the world of Great Haunting, which has just been announced as a finalist for the Taite Music Prize! For those from outside of New Zealand, the Taite is a pretty damn prestigious award which recognises independently released music. Highly recommend you check out last year’s winner Vera Ellen with her album Ideal Home Noise.
It’s sad that we won’t be in NZ for the ceremony on April 15th, but there’s no doubt that our mums will be there reppin us. Big ups to Independent Music NZ for recognising our freaky little album!
Read: Taite Music Prize 2025 Finalists Announced (Undertheradar.co.nz)
You can listen to the amazing finalists here
We’ve just returned from a few days in London, where we played the inaugural Masters of the Riff festival at Oslo Hackney. I always forget how insane London can be. The noise, the characters you meet, the convergence of classic greasy spoon chip shops alongside the hippest cafes… it’s such an intoxicating place and it was great to get back there for a show.
Here are our upcoming shows. Let us know if you’re coming along!
Friday 28 March - SOL Sonic Ride, Karlsruhe
Saturday 29 March - SOL Sonic Ride, Cologne
Saturday 5 April - Barcelona Psych Fest
Sunday 6 July - Bear Stone Festival, Donje Primišlje, Croatia
More TBA…
Til next time - ET xx
Yes,very good news to have a new record soon and of course the nomination for the taite music price is amazing. great haunting deserves a recognition, can't stop listening to it. Hope you'll get the price. Will see you in Köln in about two weeks at the ssr and I'm really looking forward to it. hope its not the only time this year. Wiesbaden wants to see you again too.Have a good time.cu
So much good news! LOVE IT. Congratulations on the Taite nomination. There were so many in the long list so it's a real achievement to make it as finalists. And very keen to hear the new album. XXX