Reviews

Fresh from their collaborative efforts with Lyttleton’s Harbour Union, Christchurch country quartet The Unfaithful Ways performed two polished 45 minute sets in the cosy Telstra Clear Club as part of the Christchurch Arts Festival Thursday Sessions.

The talented ensemble captivated the eclectic audience (read: beard-toting indie hipsters, Grey Power members, and everyone in between) with their toe-tapping country tunes and rich harmonious ballads.

The lads treated the crowd to a few tunes from their forthcoming album Free Rein, showcasing both their superb collective writing talents and the infamous country artists who inspire them. The first set featured the recently released single "Katie My Darlin'", fan favourite "Can't Get Your Cruel Love Off My Mind", and the moody "Don't Wanna Know", as well as a poignant tribute to Townes Van Zandt in the beautiful rendition of "Snow Don't Fall" (recently featured on a Van Zandt tribute album released by Forthesakeofthesong Records), which may or may not have caused yours truly to shed a tear or ten. Highlights of the second set included a cover of Johnny Cash's "Wanted Man", as well as their own heartfelt ballad "Lillies", and the upbeat Lyttelton-inspired track "Little Mountain Town". Seb Warne's guitar riffs shone in the later stages of the set, as did the former choir boys' faultless harmonies, which culminated in the haunting a capella encore, "Frozen River Shore". Who knew murderous vengeful tendencies could sound so sweet?

Since forming in 2008, The Unfaithful Ways have garnered attention and acclaim within the New Zealand music scene, from performances such as theirs at the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll Awards in 2010, opening for international acts Band of Horses and Justin Townes Earle, and taking the stage at The Big Day Out. Their Arts Festival performance proved they are worthy of their reputation as talented musicians and songwriters with their own fresh take on the country rock genre, and equally as deserving of their recent nomination for the Critics' Choice Prize at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.

The band will perform in Auckland for the New Zealand Music Awards on the October 6th, and again at Golden Dawn on the 8th. Their album, Free Rein, is due for release by Aeroplane Records on October 24, along with a video clip for "Trouble I'm In". Album release tour dates are currently being finalised. In the meantime, you can check out The Unfaithful Ways official website, www.theunfaithfulways.com, the band's MySpace page (www.myspace.com/theunfaithfulways) or get updated via their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/theunfaithfulways. You can also purchase the Harbour Union album featuring "Ghost of this Town" and "Little Mountain Town" from amplifier.co.nz, with all proceeds going towards post-quake charitable enterprises.