Singer/songwriter, Stretch is noted for his engaging, captivating and passionate performances, setting live shows alight. From dark-hearted ballads to roof-raising choruses, his songs are a bittersweet blend of folk and soul.
Now framing this exceptional voice, is the combination of his acoustic guitar and the incredible tone, grace and power of a 300-year-old cello in the hands of Paula Sugden.
This beautifully sparse and emotive sound is set to lyrical depths earned from a life truly lived. With songs from the soul and a sound that transports listeners, this is life affirming music.
Following the release of Bury All Horses, life changing events came about at an inexplicable pace. After touring the album, a chance meeting with cellist Paula Sugden led to the start of a new sound and songs that now make up Stretch’s sophomore release Our Dreams Are Changing.
Not long after this timely musical union, Stretch’s father, aunt and another family member died in the span of a few weeks. Having dealt with clinical depression throughout his life, the combination of deep loss and a lack of direction had him questioning his own reason for being. The album, in particular songs such as ‘Lonely Star’ and ‘House of Ghosts’ are heavily informed by this heartrending period.
Finding an incredible space to write, helped him work through this challenging time. In a remote bach on the Hawke’s Bay coast offered by friends, Stretch was able to focus and continue with the new album. It was while in self isolation here that New Zealand too went into national lock-down. While spending weeks off-line, Stretch was unaware the world was also moving into its own distanced way of living.
This new collection of songs moves from the inward and self-questioning, to looking outward to an unsure world while being sure within one’s self. There are songs of support, ‘Hold Fast Hold True’, ‘Shoal Bay Song’, songs of longing and escape, ‘Last Call For The Road’, Here Come The Starlings’, underlined by the tension of ‘I Know You’ve Been Bad’.
The album was made in July 2020, within a two week period between lockdowns in The Lab Studios, Auckland, with producer Wayne Bell at the helm, teasing out bare and intimate performances from Stretch and his accompanying musicians. All recording was done in one intense week, with vocals for the album completed in 2 two highly productive days.
The intimacy of the recording is immediate and lingers long after first play through. This album is a search for how to be in the world, while being true to yourself, but the power of Stretch’s emotive songwriting is forever a connecting factor, revealing the intricacies of our shared humanity.
Our Dreams are Changing is now available via Bandcamp, plus Spotify and Apple Music from tomorrow. CDs will be available from selected record stores and live shows.
Stretch is hitting the road with his band for the Our Dreams Are Changing Tour.
Our Dreams Are Changing Tour
Tuesday 13th October / Hastings / Opera House - Hawke’s Bay Arts Festival
Friday 6th November / Tauranga / Jam Factory w. Arahi support
Sunday 8th November / Auckland / Tuning Fork Ak support Dan Sperber
Friday 13th November / Palmerston North / Globe Theatre w. Arahi support
Sunday 15th November / Wellington / Bats Theatre w. Grawlixes support
Praise for Our Dreams Are Changing:
‘Music both for these dark times, and also a little outside of time’... A weighted blanket for the soul’. Rob Harbers, Ambient Light
'If you could ever truly embody the phrase "music for our times", then Our Dreams Are Changing would be worthy of that description.' Mike Alexander, Muzic.net.nz
'This album holds fast and true to honest storytelling told with Stretch’s outstanding dark-folk vocals.' Clare Martin, Radio 13
Praise for Bury All Horses:
‘Fine poetic balladry with classic song-writing'. Graham Reid
‘A desperately honest collection of stark and gritty, down-to-earth songs born out of a need to find a sense of self, place and home’. Stuff NZ
‘If you like raw energy, dynamic arrangements and strong songwriting, you’re going to take to this. I can’t wait for the tour’. Second Hand News
Praise for Live Shows:
‘Stretch totally captivated, the voice beautiful and soulful. Immediately the place lit up, we finished on our feet, a crowd desperate for more.’ BayBuzz
'Jaws drop to this sound, a class act from master musicians, we were transported.’ The Hook
Stretch had the crowd from the get-go, simply from his powerful performance, another triumphant night.’ 13th Floor