Schrodinger's Cat

The Wellington Fringe Festival is choice. I never see as much stuff as I mean to see or go to the launch party like I always mean to. It sneaks up on you, this fest: just after the holidays but before the year has really started. Everything seems ages away in December and then suddenly it’s all there. Theatre, music, dance, people doing things on stilts and stuff like that.

I haven’t seen nearly enough of the Fringe this year, but I hear it’s been fairly successful across the board. Shows selling out and all that. I know that most of you guys missed the Ascension Band at Happy last week, so in the interests of making sure some of you get along next time, here is a selection of ready-made quotes for the band to use in their next promotional material.

“Imagine a Pixies song explained at length by Harry Partch.”

“With elements of punk, post-punk, jazz, classical, straight rock, opera and music hall, the Ascension Band are that rare thing: Something Wholly Other.”

“This is what Can might have turned out like had they ever gone flatting in Newtown.”

“The Ascension Band moves as one person: a person fit as a fiddle, sharp as a tack and mad as a snake.”

“The Ascension Band retain avant garde cred and still manage to rock harder than AC/DC.”

“Enticing. Exciting. Ethereal.”

“If you don’t think this is your thing, then you’re probably right. The music doesn’t want you anyway.”

“All id, no ego.”

“The Ascension Band can be justly proud of their performance. If that’s what people like this do.”

“Restraint is the key to the success of the performance. At one point I wanted to jump up and join in by plucking a string or two. My restraint was rewarded.”

“Evolution is a sprawling alternative experience for a wilted generation.” (Now THAT'S music criticism!)

“As far from reality TV, KFC ads and NZ Idol as it is possible to be without a time machine.”