Three years ago, New Zealand’s Anthonie Tonnon released the critically acclaimed album Up Here For Dancing under the guise of Tono and The Finance Company. Retiring the moniker in 2013 and taking up his legal name, Tonnon began developing Successor and headed on tour to test the new material across New Zealand, USA and Australia.
After supporting Australia’s own folk master Darren Hanlon on his annual Christmas tour, Hanlon signed Tonnon to Flippin’ Yeah Industries for the debut release of his solo record, Successor due out July 3 in Australia.
Successor is the next chapter for Anthonie Tonnon. Produced with Jonathan Pearce (Tiny Ruins, Fazerdaze), using Mt Eden’s Lab Studios and a personal collection of analogue equipment, Successor combines adventurous guitar sounds and hybrid-electronic drumming with Tonnon’s unique and elegant melodies, reminiscent of Jens Lekman, and his sometimes charming, sometimes biting lyrical ideas.
Opening cut and latest single, ‘Railway Lines’ is a Kinks-esque commute inside the head of a letter to the editor writer – a civic-minded librarian and unsuccessful candidate for local council. Adopting a krautrock-inspired riff, it brings to life a story that is part tragedy, part meditation on transport infrastructure.
While lead single ‘Water Underground’, released earlier this year is a tale of political corruption, specifically concerning water rights allocation and a government sacking a democratically elected regional council body. ‘Water Underground’ showcases Tonnon’s powerful vocal delivery, and builds into an engulfing chorus of beautiful guitar work and simple yet effective drumming.
Despite the name change, one thing stays the same; Tonnon is an incredibly gifted lyricist and performer. His arresting, theatrical show has recently seen him perform on the acclaimed Daytrotter Sessions in Illinois, open for indie stalwarts Okkervil River, alt-folk heroes Beirut and just recently Paul Kelly in New Zealand, and Harvey Danger’s Sean Nelson in the USA.
‘Railway Lines’ and ‘Water Underground’ are both taken from the full-length album, Successor, out in Australia on July 3, via Flippin Yeah Industries. August will see Anthonie Tonnon present Successor live, around Australia.
Australian Tour Dates, 2015:
Wednesday, August 5 – Junk Bar, Brisbane
with Seja
Thursday, August 6 – Django Bar, Sydney
with Melodie Nelson and The Singing Skies
Saturday, August 8 – The Bridge, Castlemaine
with Luna Deville
Sunday, August 9 – The Gasometer, Melbourne
with Vowel Movement and Luna Deville