New single "Hole In The Ice" released 10th September 2001
"Hole In The Ice" is the second single to be taken from Neil Finn's magnificent current album, "One Nil". Legendary American producer Bob Clearmountain has remixed this stand out track. The single will be released on 10th September on Parlophone, and includes live tracks from Neil's shows earlier this year at The Palace Theatre in London. In addition CD2 features live recordings and rare video footage of Neil's very special shows from the St. James Theatre in Auckland, where his band comprised of Johnny Marr on guitar, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien on guitar and Phil Selway on drums, Lisa Germano on keyboards and Sebastian Steinberg on bass.
CD1 Hole In the Ice (radio mix), Loose Tongue (live from The Palace Theatre, London), Not the Girl You Think You Are (live from The Palace Theatre, London)
CD2 Hole In The Ice, Try Whistling This, Distant Sun, Hole In The Ice (video) (All live from the St. James Theatre, Auckland)
Neil wrote "Hole In The Ice" with Lisa Coleman (Wendy & Lisa). Both Lisa and Wendy Melvoin were heavily involved in the production of the current album from which this track is taken.
Neil will play a series of European Festivals this summer including Witnness nr. Dublin on August 4th; he will headline the Corn Exchange as part of the T on the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh on August 17th and finally play the main stage at this year's V2001 on August 18th and 19th.
In addition to these festival dates Neil has just completed a 'unique' set of dates in the UK, under the banner "Band of Strangers". The premise of these shows was simple: to allow fans to experience a Neil Finn show from the band's perspective.
After a short acoustic set by Neil and members of his regular touring band, Neil quite literally turned the stage over to his fans and fronted a band put together on the day comprising of complete strangers. In Neil's words, "I wanted to put the cat among the pigeons, stand back, and see what happens."
The shows took place at venues chosen for their links with the local community. The Darnall Music Factory in Sheffield (8th August) a local council funded converted cinema. The Picket in Liverpool (August 9th), legendary for hosting early gigs by The La's (Neil included a version of 'Timeless Melody' in his set), a bar/venue and recording studio with equipment donated by Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono, amongst others. Finally, The Pop Factory (August 15th) is a converted Corona Lemonade factory, now acting as a studio, venue, production and education facility.