Liam Finn
Encyclopedia
Liam Mullane Finn is a New Zealand
musician and songwriter. Born in Australia, he moved to New Zealand as a child. He is the son of pop musician Neil Finn
(of Split Enz
and Crowded House
).
, in 2007 Finn released his solo debut I'll Be Lightning
, which draws on his experiences from living in London in recent years. Finn chose to record the album entirely in analogue at his father's recording studio, Roundhead Studios
, in Auckland. During concerts, he creates an instrumental layering effect by using a looping effects pedal, the Line6 JM-4 Looper, as well as a Boss Super-Octave 3 to create bass guitar lines; he is also accompanied by backup vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Eliza-Jane Barnes. His first single, "The Struggle," was released 21 February, and he also announced a small number of shows in New Zealand along with a 14-date North American tour. Finn will be touring with his new full band named 'Liam Finn and the Come Agains.' His second album, FOMO, was released in June 2011.
, Eddie Vedder
, Pearl Jam and The Black Keys
, as well as at numerous festivals. He has also performed at such famous venues as La Paradiso, Largo, Bowery Ballroom, Scala, The Corner and the steps of the Sydney Opera House
among many others.
In 2008 & 2009, Finn opened for Eddie Vedder
's solo tour throughout America. Finn also headlined his first North American tour and head on the road with The Black Keys
in November 2008 in the UK and Europe. At the Dutch Crossing Border Festival
he met Yuri Landman
and borrowed a drum guitar, which he used on stage in Holland and Germany. Afterwards Landman invented a new instrument for him, a 24 string electric cymbalum
called the Tafelberg
, which he incorporated at his stage performances.
In December 2008 and January 2009, he participated on the recording sessions of the second album of 7 Worlds Collide
.
Finn played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
on 14 March 2009 for Sound Relief
, a multi-venue rock music concert in support of relief for the Victorian Bushfire Crisis
. The event was held simultaneously with a concert at the Sydney Cricket Ground
. All the proceeds from the Melbourne Concert will go to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire relief. Appearing with Finn in Melbourne were Augie March
, Bliss N Eso with Paris Wells, Gabriella Cilmi
, Hunters & Collectors
, Jack Johnson
, Kasey Chambers
& Shane Nicholson with Troy Cassar-Daley
, Kings Of Leon
, Jet
, Midnight Oil
, Paul Kelly
, Split Enz
and Wolfmother
.
In August 2009, Finn performed with a new band called BARB
on a small New Zealand tour with a band consisting of Connan Hosford (Connan and the Mockasins
), James Milne
(Lawrence Arabia
), Eliza Jane Barnes, Seamus Ebbs, Jol Mulholland and Wild Bill Rickets. Their album (recorded at Roundhead Studios
in Auckland) will be released 24 August 2010.
song "Two of Us" for the European version of the I Am Sam film soundtrack
. Finn also contributed a song, "Lucid Dream", to the soundtrack of 2001 movie Rain, a film that was directed by Christine Jeffs
.
After the reunion of the band Crowded House in early 2007, Finn became part of its touring band for the Time on Earth
tour, playing concerts such as Coachella
Festival and Live Earth
in Sydney. He has appeared with the band occasionally on later tours.
Finn, along with his brother Elroy, performed with Neil during the WOMADelaide
2009 in Botanic Park
in Adelaide.
Finn and Neil performed with Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder during Pearl Jam's Auckland concert at Mount Smart Stadium on 27 November 2009.
They sang the Chris Knox
song "Not Given Lightly" dedicating the song to Chris who is recovering from a stroke. On 29 November 2009 Finn and his father also sang together (along with Pearl Jam, Ben Harper and EJ Barnes) at Christchurch's AMI Stadium. They sang "Better Be Home Soon" and the Split Enz classic "I Got You".
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
musician and songwriter. Born in Australia, he moved to New Zealand as a child. He is the son of pop musician Neil Finn
Neil Finn
Neil Mullane Finn, OBE is a New Zealand Pop recording artist. Along with his brother Tim Finn, he was the co-frontman for Split Enz and is now frontman for Crowded House...
(of Split Enz
Split Enz
Split Enz were a New Zealand band of the 1970s and early 1980s featuring Phil Judd and brothers Tim Finn and Neil Finn. They achieved chart success in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada during the early 1980s ‒ most notably with the single "I Got You", and built a cult following elsewhere...
and Crowded House
Crowded House
Crowded House are a rock band, formed in Melbourne, Australia and led by New Zealand singer-songwriter Neil Finn. Finn is the primary songwriter and creative director of the band, having led it through several incarnations, drawing members from New Zealand , Australia and the United States...
).
Career
Well known as the frontman of New Zealand band BetchadupaBetchadupa
Betchadupa is a New Zealand pop/rock group.Formed in 1997, in Auckland, the band features Liam Finn, son of Neil Finn, of Crowded House and Split Enz and Matt Eccles, son of Brent Eccles ....
, in 2007 Finn released his solo debut I'll Be Lightning
I'll Be Lightning
I'll Be Lightning is the 2007 debut album by New Zealand artist Liam Finn. The album was recorded at his father Neil's Roundhead Studios in Auckland, New Zealand. The album is notable in that Liam plays most of the instruments himself. The cover references singer-songwriter Elliott Smith's 1995...
, which draws on his experiences from living in London in recent years. Finn chose to record the album entirely in analogue at his father's recording studio, Roundhead Studios
Roundhead Studios
Roundhead Studios is an Auckland-based sound recording studio owned by singer-songwriter Neil Finn. It was officially opened in June 2007, however by the time of its opening, several international artists had already used it whilst the studio was either in construction or receiving finishing...
, in Auckland. During concerts, he creates an instrumental layering effect by using a looping effects pedal, the Line6 JM-4 Looper, as well as a Boss Super-Octave 3 to create bass guitar lines; he is also accompanied by backup vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Eliza-Jane Barnes. His first single, "The Struggle," was released 21 February, and he also announced a small number of shows in New Zealand along with a 14-date North American tour. Finn will be touring with his new full band named 'Liam Finn and the Come Agains.' His second album, FOMO, was released in June 2011.
Live shows
Finn has toured the world several times performing with WilcoWilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
, Eddie Vedder
Eddie Vedder
Eddie Vedder is an American musician and singer-songwriter who is best known for being the lead singer and one of three guitarists of the alternative rock band Pearl Jam. He is widely considered a cultural icon of alternative rock.He is also involved in soundtrack work and contributes to albums...
, Pearl Jam and The Black Keys
The Black Keys
The Black Keys are an American rock duo consisting of vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer/producer Patrick Carney. The band was formed in Akron, Ohio, in 2001. As of October 2011, the band has sold over 2 million albums in the U.S....
, as well as at numerous festivals. He has also performed at such famous venues as La Paradiso, Largo, Bowery Ballroom, Scala, The Corner and the steps of the Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957...
among many others.
Eddie Vedder
Eddie Vedder is an American musician and singer-songwriter who is best known for being the lead singer and one of three guitarists of the alternative rock band Pearl Jam. He is widely considered a cultural icon of alternative rock.He is also involved in soundtrack work and contributes to albums...
's solo tour throughout America. Finn also headlined his first North American tour and head on the road with The Black Keys
The Black Keys
The Black Keys are an American rock duo consisting of vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer/producer Patrick Carney. The band was formed in Akron, Ohio, in 2001. As of October 2011, the band has sold over 2 million albums in the U.S....
in November 2008 in the UK and Europe. At the Dutch Crossing Border Festival
Crossing Border Festival
Crossing Border Festival is an annual festival in The Hague, Netherlands focusing on new pop music acts and literature. The first edition took place in 1993. The festival was once held in Amsterdam, but afterwards shifted back to The Hague.-1993:...
he met Yuri Landman
Yuri Landman
Yuri Landman is a Dutch experimental luthier who has made several experimental electric string instruments for a list of artists including Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth, Liars, Jad Fair of Half Japanese and Liam Finn...
and borrowed a drum guitar, which he used on stage in Holland and Germany. Afterwards Landman invented a new instrument for him, a 24 string electric cymbalum
Cymbalum
The cimbalom is a concert hammered dulcimer: a type of chordophone composed of a large, trapezoidal box with metal strings stretched across its top...
called the Tafelberg
Tafelberg
Tafelberg is Dutch and Afrikaans for "table mountain". It may refer to:*Table Mountain, a flat-topped mountain overlooking Cape Town, South Africa*Tafelberg, Suriname, a mountain in Suriname...
, which he incorporated at his stage performances.
In December 2008 and January 2009, he participated on the recording sessions of the second album of 7 Worlds Collide
7 Worlds Collide
7 Worlds Collide is a musical project by New Zealand singer/songwriter, Neil Finn. The project brings together Finn and other musicians in support of charity....
.
Finn played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne and is home to the Melbourne Cricket Club. It is the tenth largest stadium in the world, the largest in Australia, the largest stadium for playing cricket, and holds the world record for the highest light...
on 14 March 2009 for Sound Relief
Sound Relief
Sound Relief was a multi-venue rock music concert held on 14 March 2009, which was announced by the Premier of Victoria, John Brumby on 24 February 2009...
, a multi-venue rock music concert in support of relief for the Victorian Bushfire Crisis
February 2009 Victorian bushfires
The Black Saturday bushfires were a series of bushfires that ignited or were burning across the Australian state of Victoria on and around Saturday, 7 February 2009...
. The event was held simultaneously with a concert at the Sydney Cricket Ground
Sydney Cricket Ground
The Sydney Cricket Ground is a sports stadium in Sydney in Australia. It is used for Australian football, Test cricket, One Day International cricket, some rugby league and rugby union matches and is the home ground for the New South Wales Blues cricket team and the Sydney Swans of the Australian...
. All the proceeds from the Melbourne Concert will go to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire relief. Appearing with Finn in Melbourne were Augie March
Augie March
Augie March are an Australian indie/pop rock band. Formed in 1996 in Shepparton, Victoria, the band currently consists of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Glenn Richards, lead guitarist Adam Donovan, bassist Edmondo Ammendola, drummer David Williams, and keyboardist Kiernan Box...
, Bliss N Eso with Paris Wells, Gabriella Cilmi
Gabriella Cilmi
Gabriella Lucia Cilmi is an Australian singer-songwriter. In 2008, Cilmi was awarded six ARIA awards including Single of the Year and Best Female Artist....
, Hunters & Collectors
Hunters & Collectors
Hunters & Collectors were an Australian rock music band formed in Melbourne in 1981, fronted by singer-songwriter and guitarist Mark Seymour, they developed a blend of pub rock and art-funk...
, Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson (musician)
Jack Johnson was born May 18, 1975 is an American folk rock singer-songwriter, surfer and musician known for his work in the soft rock and acoustic genres. In 2001, he achieved commercial success after the release of his debut album, Brushfire Fairytales. He has since released four more albums, a...
, Kasey Chambers
Kasey Chambers
Kasey Chambers is an Australian country singer-songwriter. She is the daughter of steel guitar player Bill Chambers, and the sister of musician and producer Nash Chambers.-Solo success:...
& Shane Nicholson with Troy Cassar-Daley
Troy Cassar-Daley
Troy Cassar-Daley is a multi-award-winning country musician from New South Wales, Australia.He released his first EP, "Dream Out Loud", in 1994 and was nominated for his first Golden Guitar for Best Male Vocalist the same year...
, Kings Of Leon
Kings of Leon
Kings of Leon is an American rock band that originated in Albion, Oklahoma but formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 1999. The band is composed of brothers Anthony Caleb Followill , Ivan Nathan Followill and Michael Jared Followill Kings of Leon is an American rock band that originated in Albion,...
, Jet
Jet (band)
Jet are an Australian rock band formed in 2001 while attending St Bede's College Mentone in Melbourne, . The band consists of lead guitarist Cameron Muncey, bassist Mark Wilson, and brothers Nic and Chris Cester on vocals/rhythm guitar and drums respectively...
, Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil , were an Australian rock band from Sydney originally performing as Farm from 1972 with drummer Rob Hirst, bass guitarist Andrew James and keyboard player/lead guitarist Jim Moginie...
, Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly (musician)
Paul Maurice Kelly is an Australian rock music singer-songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player. He has performed solo, and has led numerous groups, including the Dots, the Coloured Girls, and the Messengers. He has worked with other artists and groups, including associated projects Professor...
, Split Enz
Split Enz
Split Enz were a New Zealand band of the 1970s and early 1980s featuring Phil Judd and brothers Tim Finn and Neil Finn. They achieved chart success in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada during the early 1980s ‒ most notably with the single "I Got You", and built a cult following elsewhere...
and Wolfmother
Wolfmother
Wolfmother is an Australian rock band from Erskineville, Sydney. Formed in 2000, the group was originally a trio composed of vocalist and guitarist Andrew Stockdale, bassist and keyboardist Chris Ross and drummer Myles Heskett. Wolfmother released their self-titled debut album in October 2005,...
.
In August 2009, Finn performed with a new band called BARB
Barb
Barb may refer to:* A backward-facing point on a fish hook or similar implement, rendering extraction from the victim's flesh more difficult* Wind barbs for each station on a map of reported weather conditions...
on a small New Zealand tour with a band consisting of Connan Hosford (Connan and the Mockasins
Connan and the Mockasins
Connan Mockasin is a psychedelic pop musician from Te Awanga, New Zealand. Formerly part of a blues rock/pop group called 'Connan and the Mockasins'.-Biography:...
), James Milne
Lawrence Arabia
Lawrence Arabia is the musical guise of New Zealand artist James Milne. In 2006, Lawrence Arabia released his self titled debut album and the debut album his band The Reduction Agents, The Dance Reduction Agents...
(Lawrence Arabia
Lawrence Arabia
Lawrence Arabia is the musical guise of New Zealand artist James Milne. In 2006, Lawrence Arabia released his self titled debut album and the debut album his band The Reduction Agents, The Dance Reduction Agents...
), Eliza Jane Barnes, Seamus Ebbs, Jol Mulholland and Wild Bill Rickets. Their album (recorded at Roundhead Studios
Roundhead Studios
Roundhead Studios is an Auckland-based sound recording studio owned by singer-songwriter Neil Finn. It was officially opened in June 2007, however by the time of its opening, several international artists had already used it whilst the studio was either in construction or receiving finishing...
in Auckland) will be released 24 August 2010.
With Neil Finn and Crowded House
Finn and his father Neil covered The BeatlesThe Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
song "Two of Us" for the European version of the I Am Sam film soundtrack
I Am Sam (soundtrack)
I Am Sam is the soundtrack to the 2001 film I Am Sam. It was released on January 8, 2002 by V2 Records . The album contents are made up entirely of cover versions of songs by The Beatles, although originally it was intended to comprise the original recordings by the group...
. Finn also contributed a song, "Lucid Dream", to the soundtrack of 2001 movie Rain, a film that was directed by Christine Jeffs
Christine Jeffs
Christine Jeffs is a New Zealand-born film director known for directing the British motion picture Sylvia, starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Daniel Craig, and the American independent film Sunshine Cleaning , with Amy Adams and Emily Blunt....
.
After the reunion of the band Crowded House in early 2007, Finn became part of its touring band for the Time on Earth
Time on Earth
Time on Earth is the fifth studio album by the pop-rock band Crowded House. Tracks have been produced by both Ethan Johns and Steve Lillywhite and the album was released on 30 June 2007 in Australia, 2 July in the United Kingdom and 10 July in North America...
tour, playing concerts such as Coachella
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is a three-day annual music and arts festival, organized by Goldenvoice and held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, in the Inland Empire's Coachella Valley...
Festival and Live Earth
Live Earth
-Background:Founded by Emmy-winning producer Kevin Wall, in partnership with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Live Earth was built upon the belief that entertainment has the power to transcend social and cultural barriers to move the world community to action...
in Sydney. He has appeared with the band occasionally on later tours.
Finn, along with his brother Elroy, performed with Neil during the WOMADelaide
WOMADelaide
WOMADelaide is an annual world music and dance festival, which was first held in 1992 in Botanic Park, Adelaide, South Australia as part of the WOMAD series of music festivals. WOMAD events are a showcase of different sorts of music, arts and dance. They encourage people to experience the music of...
2009 in Botanic Park
Botanic Park, Adelaide
Botanic Park, which is a part of Park 11 and also known by its Kaurna name Tainmundilla, is a 34 hectare park in the Northeast Parklands of the South Australian capital of Adelaide. It is bordered by Hackney and Frome Roads. The park abuts the Adelaide Zoo and River Torrens on its northern side...
in Adelaide.
Finn and Neil performed with Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder during Pearl Jam's Auckland concert at Mount Smart Stadium on 27 November 2009.
They sang the Chris Knox
Chris Knox
Chris Knox is a New Zealand rock and roll musician, cartoonist, and DVD reviewer who emerged during the punk rock era with his bands The Enemy and Toy Love. After Toy Love disbanded in the early 1980s, he formed the group Tall Dwarfs with guitarist Alec Bathgate, much loved for their honest,...
song "Not Given Lightly" dedicating the song to Chris who is recovering from a stroke. On 29 November 2009 Finn and his father also sang together (along with Pearl Jam, Ben Harper and EJ Barnes) at Christchurch's AMI Stadium. They sang "Better Be Home Soon" and the Split Enz classic "I Got You".
Albums
- I'll Be LightningI'll Be LightningI'll Be Lightning is the 2007 debut album by New Zealand artist Liam Finn. The album was recorded at his father Neil's Roundhead Studios in Auckland, New Zealand. The album is notable in that Liam plays most of the instruments himself. The cover references singer-songwriter Elliott Smith's 1995...
(2007) – UKUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
#88; USA#13 Heatseekers - Champagne In SeashellsChampagne In SeashellsChampagne In Seashells is the 2nd release by Liam Finn, his first with Eliza-Jane Barnes. The EP was recorded at Neil Finn's Roundhouse Studios in New Zealand and released on September 21, 2009. Liam Finn had been touring constantly for about two years with Barnes, heavily influencing the EP's...
EP (2009) - FOMO (2011)
Live albums
- Live (in Spaceland) – 22 February 2008, Spaceland Recordings
- Live From The Wiltern – (2008) Yep Roc RecordsYep Roc RecordsYep Roc Records is an independent International record label based in Haw River, North Carolina and owned by Redeye Distribution . The label has put out albums by artists like The Go-Betweens, The Fleshtones, Gang of Four, The Reverend Horton Heat, and The Minus 5, as well as the work of important...