Shocking Pinks is the project of singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Nick Harte from New Zealand.

Shocking Pinks
OriginNew Zealand
GenresIndie, electronic, shoegazing
Years active2002–present
LabelsPinacolada Records, Stars & Letters Records, DFA Records, Flying Nun Records, Geertruida
MembersNick Harte
Past membersTim McDonald, Herb Palmer
WebsiteOfficial Shocking Pinks website

History edit

Founded in Christchurch, New Zealand, Nick Harte has played in many New Zealand bands such as the CM Ensemble, Hiatus, The Incisions, Montessouri, Laudanum, Palace of Wisdom, Luxor Dance Ensemble, Urinator, Solaa, The Brunettes, Pig Out, Aotearoa Snuff Jazz Ensemble, Mercedes Cambridge and Moider Mother.

Harte & McDonald performed a Shocking Pinks gig at the Media Club in his hometown of Christchurch in December, 2003. This performance was attended by Tim Baird who ran local label Pinacolada Records; Baird subsequently funded and released the original version of the Shocking Pinks' debut album 'Dance the Dance Electric' on 14 February 2004. This release featured a full-band lineup and introduced Harte's sound, which nodded to the sound of classic New Zealand bands such as The Clean and The Bats, as well as My Bloody Valentine's shoegaze sounds, and a budding dance-punk scene. The album earned strong reviews, including an 8.2 score on Pitchfork Media.[1] In the wake of this success, international labels became interested (including James Murphy of DFA Records who would later work with the band). The debut album was later reissued on vinyl by Dutch record label Geertruida and New Zealand record label A Low Hum in 2015.[2][3] The Shocking Pinks then signed to the legendary New Zealand imprint Flying Nun Records and released two further albums in 2005, Mathematical Warfare and Infinity Land, which Harte wrote and performed on his own. DFA Records signed Harte and released a series of limited-edition singles, which included remixes by The Glimmers, Deerhunter, Eluvium, and Arkitype, before issuing the self-titled album, Shocking Pinks, in the autumn of 2007 —largely a remastered compilation of songs from Mathematical Warfare and Infinity Land.[4][5]

Signing to Stars & Letters and Guilt Mirrors edit

In November 2013 Shocking Pinks signed to Brooklyn label, Stars & Letters Records, and announced the release of a new triple album called Guilt Mirrors. The digital trilogy released world-wide on 18 February 2014[6][7] and a limited edition vinyl release is due 15 April 2014.[8] The first single "Not Gambling" was premiered via Pitchfork Media on 13 November 2013. The Pitchfork news item also included the full track-listing of the upcoming "Guilt Mirrors" album.[9] The follow-up single "What's Up With That Girl?" premiered 11 December 2013, via Dazed & Confused.[10] A third single "St Louis", featuring visual artist Gemma Syme on vocals, premiered via Pitchfork on 13 January 2014.[11][12]

Performance line-up edit

The Shocking Pinks gigging lineup has featured a large number of local New Zealand musicians over the years, including members of New Zealand bands such as The Brunettes, The D4, Leper Ballet, Pig Out, The Enright House, and the Tiger Tones.

Discography edit

Albums edit

Singles edit

  • "Smoke Screen" (The Glimmers remix and Edit) (12") (11 June 2007 · DFA Records)
  • "This Aching Deal"/"August 3rd" (Arkitype Remix) (7") (6 August 2007 · DFA Records)
  • "Victims"/"April/May" (7") (20 August 2007 · DFA Records)
  • "The Narrator"/"Dressed to Please" (7") (3 September 2007 · DFA Records)
  • "End of the World" (7", 12", CD) (15 October 2007 · DFA Records)
  • "Emily" (3 March 2008 · DFA Records)
  • "Not Gambling" (13 November 2013 · Stars & Letters Records)
  • "What's Up With That Girl?" (11 December 2013 · Stars & Letters Records)
  • "St Louis [ft. Gemma Syme]" (13 January 2014 · Stars & Letters Records)

References edit

  1. ^ "Pitchfork: Dance the Dance Electric Album Review". Pitchfork. 11 July 2004.
  2. ^ Nagurney, Eric (23 July 2015). "Shocking Pinks announces re-release of debut LP, world tour, relationship with half of the world's labels". Tiny Mix Tapes. Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  3. ^ Davies, Natalie (29 October 2015). "Premiere: Shocking Pinks - Lovehate (Abstract Mutation Remix)". Dummy Mag. Archived from the original on 31 October 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  4. ^ "Shocking Pinks: Shocking Pinks". Pitchfork. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  5. ^ "Pitchfork: Shocking Pinks Sign to DFA". Archived from the original on 29 June 2007.
  6. ^ "Former Flying Nun and DFA artist Shocking Pinks signs to Stars & Letters to release triple album Guilt Mirrors".
  7. ^ "Shocking Pinks 'Not Gambling' on Risky Triple-Album 'Guilt Mirrors'". Spin. 13 November 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  8. ^ "Guilt Mirrors, by Shocking Pinks". Starsandletters.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  9. ^ "Shocking Pinks Return With Triple LP Guilt Mirrors, Share "Not Gambling"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  10. ^ "Shocking Pinks – What's Up With That Girl". Dazeddigital.com. 11 December 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  11. ^ "Shocking Pinks "St Louis" (ft. Gemma Syme)". Pitchfork.
  12. ^ "Shocking Pinks Give Up the Mic, Not the Ghost on Misty 'St Louis'". Spin. 13 January 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2020.

External links edit