#the doublejumps

[bandcampsnoop]

8/25/25.

Luigi Falagario, operator of Almost Halloween Time Records (Bari, Italy), has released New Zealand music before. In fact, he's released Peter Jefferies before (and he released The Doublejumps in 2023).

But, this new Almost Halloween Time release, "Duit on Tuesday", is unique because it is a 4 song tribute to the music of Harry Nilsson; all four songs are covers of Nilsson. "Down", "Jump Into The Fire" and "Moonbeam Song" are from "Nilsson Schmilsson". "Rainmaker" is on "Harry". While Jefferies stays true to the songs, these have undoubtedly been stamped with the sound of Peter Jefferies (this is mostly just piano and Jefferies' voice).

Peter Jefferies lives in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Aside from his vast solo/collaborative career he is best known for his work with his brother Graeme in bands This Kind of Punishment and Nocturnal Projections.

[bandcampsnoop]

9/30/24.

Listening to The Opera Bell Band (St. Louis, Missouri), I immediately thought that this sounded like a band that loved playing music together. From the music to the lyrics, I just sensed that if I saw the band live, they'd be smiling (and maybe high fiving each other) throughout the set. I mean, these are songs about crabs, balls, pinwheels and summer.

This has a decidedly 1960s sound. It reminds me of The Sugarplastic and The Dukes of Stratosphear. And please don't forget to listen to The Doublejumps again. The Opera Bell Band and the Doublejumps would probably instantly become friends, quit their day jobs and move to a remote hill community.

This LP looks to be self-released.

[bandcampsnoop]

9/21/23.

Almost Halloween Time Records continues to add to a great and diverse catalogue. In the past, they've released work from Bingo Trappers, Linda Smith and Tom Violence.

Now comes the debut album from New Zealand band The Doublejumps. The band hails from Taranaki, an area northwest of Wellington on the North Island.

When I first heard this I thought of a great combination of The Sugarplastic, XTC and Look Blue Go Purple (I had to throw in a Flying Nun reference).

For once, I actually contacted the band to find out their influences. Kayleb wrote back and said, "we love The Beatles, Ramones, Nirvana, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson and anything that is catchy and sincere."

[myl0vermothernature]

i think everyone should listen to the doublejumps