Bailter Space

• Genre: New Zealand Pop
• Hometown: Christchurch
• Bailter Space Website

About

You can do a lot of aural rubbernecking in a Bailter Space song -- listening is like trying to take in an air show set up as a three-ring circus. Sometimes this trio flies in formation through shearing winds of feedback, but often the players are off in their own air space, performing individual stunts simultaneously. The band's paratactic arrangements prevent any instrument from being subordinate to the others -- including the vocals (Alister Parker's speak-song delivery definitely counts as an instrument). Lyrics suggest mood rather than convey meaning, and the mood is always "out there." These musical claim jumpers have moved from Flying Nun to Matador and now find themselves on upstart Turnbuckle Records, but the band's distinctive cosmic rock sound hasn't changed.

- Chad Driscoll