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Foothills

by The Bats

supported by
tideracer
tideracer thumbnail
tideracer I've been enjoying the Bats since Daddy's Highway. They keep doing what they do and I keep enjoying what they do. What else can I say? Bat's entertainment? Favorite track: Change Is All.
Guitar Arcade on WOWD
Guitar Arcade on WOWD thumbnail
Guitar Arcade on WOWD This band has been with me since my first ever mail order: from Ajax, the "Live on WFMU" 7". More than other many-splendored records from this plague year, this'n en particulier feels like a specially-targeted gift for me from Jesus or Trotsky or whomever. Rhythm section rumbles, vocals soar, and what those decades-old twin guitars do and don't do is as plain and astonishing as a muddy creek dripping. Spellbinding, cool.
Peter Edwards
Peter Edwards thumbnail
Peter Edwards The Bats... the gift that keeps on giving! another great one (and can't wait 'til the vinyl arrives)
Tattooedkillhand
Tattooedkillhand thumbnail
Tattooedkillhand Well if the remainder of this year needed good news, here it is in spades!
❤️ to The Bats from the PNW
Michael Ribas
Michael Ribas thumbnail
Michael Ribas Love the preview track. Can’t wait to hear the rest!
Mark Burgess
Mark Burgess thumbnail
Mark Burgess The absolute best band ever in the history of the universe.
more...
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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

      $12 NZD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Includes unlimited streaming of Foothills via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days

      $27 NZD or more 

     

  • ORDER FOOTHILLS T SHIRT HERE

  • Limited Edition Translucent Red Vinyl LP
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    The vinyl versions that are stocked here on bandcamp are proudly made in NZ at Holiday Records — this translucent red vinyl version is limited to 300 copies worldwide.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Foothills via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

  • Standard Vinyl LP
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    The vinyl versions that are stocked here on bandcamp are proudly made in NZ at Holiday Records.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Foothills via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

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Warwick 02:40
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Scrolling 03:54
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Another Door 03:15
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Red Car 03:13
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As You Were 03:17
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about

Spanning the last 38 years, The Bats have clocked nine incredible albums; each one seeing the band evolve with new material from the prolific songwriting hand of Robert Scott. Add to that tally the extra singles, b-sides, EPs, compilations and tribute songs they’ve recorded, creating a succinct setlist is a nearly impossible task.

Their 10th full-length, Foothills, was recorded in Spring 2018 at a country retreat pop-up studio. At that time, 15 songs were captured and immortalised in the Canterbury foothills of the Southern Alps, Aotearoa (New Zealand). Only too well, The Bats know the possibilities, potentialities and sonic vistas that arise when one takes the reins for the recording process in a beautiful place that’s on home turf.

Robert Scott, on the making of Foothills has said “Time marches on... finally, we found a gap in our busy lives and chose a week to convene. We found a house that is usually inhabited by ski field workers — Kowai Bush, near Springfield about an hour west of Christchurch and of course nestled in the foothills of the mighty Southern Alps. The songs had been written, demo’d and arranged for some time, but still with a little room for trying things out in the studio. Many carloads arrived at the house, full of amps guitars and recording gear, we set up camp and soon made it feel like home; coloured lights, a log fire, and home cooked meals in the kitchen. We worked fast, and within a few days had all the basic backing tracks done, live together in one room, the way we like to do it - it’s all about ‘the feel’ for songs like ours.”

The Bats must hold a record in New Zealand (perhaps the whole world, once The Rolling Stones throw in the towel) as a band that has survived with the same line-up for 38 years. No split ups, no reforming for nostalgia’s sake.

So far, half the band have spots in The New Zealand Music Hall Of Fame, vocalist/ guitarist Robert Scott (The Clean) and bassist/producer Paul Kean (Toy Love), and it’s only a matter of time before lead guitarist Kaye Woodward and drummer Malcolm Grant find themselves in there too. The four-piece has created twisted wistful folk, psychedelic rock, bouncy twee pop, and everything in between, but whatever the genre, their sound is always distinctively, unmistakably The Bats.

credits

released November 13, 2020

Robert Scott: vocals and guitar, plus keyboards and bass on 12

Paul Kean: bass and backing vocals, plus guitar on 3 and 10 and ebow on 8, 11 and 12

Kaye Woodward: guitar and backing vocals plus keyboards on 6, 9 and 10.

Malcolm Grant: drums

All songs written by Robert Scott. Recorded and mixed by Paul Kean at Kowai Bush October 2018 then Longfellow Street 2019, except Electric Sea View mixed by Tex Houston in Mornington.

Cover by Malcolm using photos by Paul and Dallas.

Big thanks to Pip and Uli, Dallas and Miree.

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about

The Bats New Zealand

The Bats have been active with the same line-up since New Year's Eve 1982. They've released 10 albums, have regularly toured in their home country of New Zealand (where they are based) USA, EU, UK and Australia. This site features some of The Bats rare releases along with side project Minisnap, featuring Kaye Woodward's songs and various other bits and pieces. Click covers to try, buy and share ... more

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