Dartz band returns to Christchurch with ‘love letter’
It’s going to be a dangerous day to be a beer, a landlord or a music industry professional with name suppression on Friday, with Kiwi punk band Dartz scheduled to perform in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
The four-piece from Wellington is coming armed with their new album, Dangerous Day To Be A Cold One, which topped the New Zealand album charts last month and remains in the top 20.
Lead singer Danz (Daniel Vernon) describes the album as a love letter to small town New Zealand, inspired by the people and stories they grew up with or have met on their travels.
Speaking to The Press from Nelson (the first stop on their three-week tour of Aotearoa), Danz said the band was blown away by the ongoing success of their second album. “It’s a wholesome look at smalltown New Zealand ... with a little bit of a political satire running through it.”
Danz was raised in Te Aroha in rural Waikato, while bandmate Rollyz grew up in Whakatāne. The “drinking-in-a-shed culture” they grew up around serves as inspiration to multiple songs, especially Paradise.
Danz said their favourite part of touring was the after-party with locals, swapping stories and tips on the best place to stop for kai on the road. “[We want to] be a real part of the community instead of just hiding backstage and not engaging at all.”
While Dartz doesn’t shy away from provocative language – particularly aimed at people in positions of power – at its core, the album is about having a good time with friends and whānau. Their gigs were known for being high energy both on and off the stage, though Danz said they would attempt to spare some energy for their first European
“It’s a wholesome look at small-town New Zealand ... with a little bit of a political satire running through it.”
Danz Lead singer
tour next month – with stops in England for The Great Escape festival and in Wales and Germany.
Dartz is performing on Friday, April 19, at Wunderbar in Lyttelton. Opening for them are Christchurch bands The Wendys, Model Home and Mental Joy.
Tickets are available through Undertheradar.