Billy Earl and Betty Grey who are sometimes joined by Ms Janet Holborow – Cello, Miss Kirsten Johnstone – Flute and Putorino, Madame Shona – Violin, Benny Fulsom - electric guitar and Bobby Dazzler - Bass.
Cryptic crosswords, wine, the Full Windsor, whiskey, kitchen acoustics, homemade pasta, knee slaps, clap traps, bars of 3/4, presidential fireside chats, flippancy, Grandmas, vacuuming, visitors, parties with lamingtons, tobacco tins without warnings, making hay while the sun shines, spelling mistkes (sic), sharing colds, pillow talk, Dylan Thomas, lists, children with classic names like Oscar and Hugo and Grace.
NEW CHESTNUT VIDEO BY ED DAVIS @ UNDERBELLY
Chestnut
Wellington-based, indie-folk ensemble, Rosy Tin Teacaddy, are proud to announce a cure for homesickness in the release of their new album The Homeward Stretch.
The Homeward Stretch is a collection of loosely interwoven vignettes featuring temptresses and miscreants. There are flights of fancy, dedications to loss, rants from the confessional booth and the occasional cannibalistic dinner. These are memories glimpsed through rose-tinted glasses - or an empty bottle of absinthe.
Songbirds Billy Earl (aka Andy Hummel of The Woolshed Sessions) and Betty Grey (Holly Jane Ewens) sing their sea shanties to the light at the end of the tunnel, with knowing smiles, desperate prayers and always a yearning for home.
In recording The Homeward Stretch the group aimed to capture a sound indicative of their live shows. This was achieved during five days of revelry at Lee Prebble’s studio, The Surgery. The result is an album enriched by cello, violin, spatial electric guitar, chug-along bass and lush vocal harmonies.
A sing-along distraction from crisis, Rosy Tin Teacaddy’s The Homeward Stretch is an invitation to the card table, two fingers of whiskey and endless cups of tea.
Available on CD and by download. Instore and online.
You can download the single CHESTNUT for FREE here:
(shh, where the song Cavalier is available as a FREE low res, yet still wonderful, download! But don't tell anyone)
Rosy Tin Teacaddy
Billy Earl and Betty Grey first met as youngsters, and since have surrounded kitchen tables with cheap wine, fine food, dirty children, acoustic guitars and endless cups of tea.
Their debut release, the EP Blind Leading The Blind (2007), was written and recorded as a five-day project in Betty’s cottage. Waking on the first day of the new year the two squirreled themselves away in self-imposed exile. Free from distractions, they stared out to sea and filled the vacant spaces. The result is a diary of cabin fever; shanties, lullabies, and electronic noodlings. This project was a response to their situation and environment, sparking the ignition for what was to become RTT.
A year of live gigs greeted the inclusion of accompanying musicians. This established the band’s distinctive flavour - a textural nu-folk sound. Think Peter, Paul and Mary. On acid.
Busy as beavers, Rosy Tin Teacaddy are often found whoring out their live shows to all and sundry. These musical tartlets have shared the stage with the likes of the Raggamuffin Children, Achilles Botes, Ashes of August, Chris Knox, The Broken Heartbreakers, Tim Guy, Matt Langley and international artists Jose Gonzalez and Iron and Wine.
September 2008 saw the band getting into the studio to record a new full-length album with Lee Prebble, aiming to capture a sound indicative of their live shows without pretentious gimmickry. This was achieved somehow seamlessly during a five day orgy of feasting, beer-drinking, music making and the occasional single malt.
Part art folk, part campfire sing alongs, the verdict is out: The Homeward Stretch is a stunner, a corker, a real rip-snorter. Available in all good record stores now.
It is the perfect accompaniment to the playing of cards.
Hey Billy and Betty, hope all is well and the jug is on. if you are free Saturday come play at mighty mighty, its our mini-album release, there will be no tea but lots of whisky... and maybe a bar fight.. defiantly some Rock n Roll. and kittens. maybe ... Chloe
Cheers! I've always enjoyed the times I've seen you guys play live. Good stuff, alright :) I think you know my pal Pixie, too. I'm opening for some bands at Happy tomorrow night, in case you fancied it!
