The Mint Chicks have always had a nose for talent, taking some of the country's best new bands on tour with them, and generally making their every headline show a voyage into the unknown.
Now guitarist Ruban Neilson's created a page on their website devoted to exposing their fans to the band's favourite musical discoveries of the past little while. Ironically, in terms of it having prompted this post, the page is titled No More Blogs, though he was quick to point out that it wasn't an attack on the medium.
"I'm not anti-blog or anything just anti-another blog for me to update!
I was hoping I could just use it to drive a bit of traffic to some
bands I like that seem to be underrated," he said via email.
RG faves like Rifles and Nevernudes sit alongside a host of great noisy new acts like the brilliantly named Butt Simpson, Imaginary Friends and Nice Birds. He says to think of it as a kind of
Awesome Feeling compilation if it was helmed by The Mint Chicks.
"It is kind of like the Awesome Feeling idea. The kids are making interesting music right now I reckon."
There's also a fun, strange interface to navigate, along with links to all the band's myspace pages. It's a great way to pass a half hour or so, and get up close to the next wave of underground New Zealand artists.
The Mint Chicks 'No More Blogs' (Click the link, opens in a new window)