DECEMBER

Yowsers - and just like that, the end of the year, and Christmas, was upon us again!!

It has been another terrific year here at The Boat - some tremendous new releases this year; hefty reissues of The Beatles White Album, Bob Dylan's "More Blood, More Tracks" alternate versions of "Blood On The Tracks", plus superb new music from recent visitor Courtney Barnett - "Tell Me How You Really Feel", The Breeders "All Nerve", local boy done good Marlon Williams' epic, heartbroken "Make Way For Love", the return of The Good The Bad And The Queen ("Merrie Land"), David Byrne's "American Utopia" (his show here was PHENOMENAL), Janelle Monae's genre-smashing "Dirty Computer", Delaney Davidson's "Shining Day", Angelique Kidjo's take on the Talking Heads classic "Remain In Light"...

We were also graced with instore performances from some of our best and brightest - Record Store Day, back in April, saw the wonderful Tiny Ruins, Mermaidens and Tom Cunliffe grace the boards, while we also played host to Tami Neilson (whose "Sassafras!" was another highlight), The Beths (their "Future Me Hates Me" already feels like a classic debut album), and most recently, Mel Parsons, whose Mitchell Froom-produced fourth album "Glass Heart" has its hooks firmly lodged in our brains.

We have a whole host of swag aimed squarely at the music-obsessed in your world - records, CDs, DVDs, even tapes - we also have posters and tee shirts (including our very own stylish Slow Boat tees, and the last remaining tees from our buddies The Phoenix Foundation's shows with the NZSO).

And if it's all just too much (too little, too late?!), there is always the trusty Slow Boat voucher, in any amount you wish...

Thanking all our customers for being with us through another eventful year as we navigate the murky waters of what it means to be a fully independent bricks and mortar record store in 2018, for coming in, or ordering online, or simply allowing us to be a portal to the way you set about finding and hearing music. You are good buggers!!

Wishing everyone a safe and happy festive season filled with joy and light, music and good times, hoping to see you before then, after then - whenever suits you.

Muchos gracias, cheers, The Slow Boat Crew xxx