New Single From 'Planet Key' Songwriter Darren Watson   24 Apr 2015

I Got Your Office Right Here: New Single From 'Planet Key' Songwriter Darren Watson

Controversial rhythm and blues musician Darren Watson has a new single out. From April 24th I Got Your Office Right Here can be bought at http://darrenwatson.bandcamp.com with a video version available on YouTube at http://youtu.be/GQrmbxtr09k.

The Wellington-based songwriter gained notoriety last year with the hit satirical song and music video Planet Key. The song was the subject of a successful High Court challenge to the Electoral Commission's advice that the song and video were 'election programmes' and 'election advertisements.' Justice Clifford's recent ruling has been seen by many as a landmark decision for freedom of expression in New Zealand.

The new stand-alone single, I Got Your Office Right Here, is less politically direct than Planet Key. The song's central character can be heard boasting about how they get away with anything - as long as it's done in the name of their 'office' and not their own name. There is also a line or two about secrecy surrounding something called the TPPA, and vague mention of a “welcome in Hawaii . . “.

What it all means may be beyond many. Just as well it is also a stonking, swampy blues groove with a deep hook.

The tune was recorded, mixed, and mastered at Lamington Lodge Studio and features Watson singing and playing every instrument, including a dirty Ry Cooder-esque slide guitar solo, handclaps, and slinky maracas.

The music video (no animated politicians playing dolphins this time!) was filmed by Lindsay Keats and edited by Ed Davis.

Watson says he is really happy with the result. “ It works. I can play it with just one guitar in my solo shows and people actually dance and sing along after only hearing it the chorus once. So I think it has something. It's like John Lee Hooker and Randy Newman's love child! Ha ha ha I hope people get it. “

ENDS

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