"Rubricator confirms the emergence of a real talent" - Graham Reid, NZ Listener"It’s all very considered, like Bambery lived with the album in his head for a while before bringing it into the world. A hint of mystery hangs over things too, which is only deepened by that title and his elaboration on it, in its way as ornate as these well-crafted tunes." - Tony Stamp, RNZFor scribes, copyists, text enthusiasts and luminaries around the globe, there is always a day that stands out: a red-letter day. Ranging from annotations in the King James Bible to a teacher’s endless corrections on assignments, we signify our change of pace and context by wrapping our already tactful words in brilliant colour. What better tool to use than a rubric? This tool transforms a mere physical space into something profoundly metaphorical, signalling, 'Pay attention to this. It's written in red.'The symbolism is not lost on Ōtautahi/Christchurch songwriter Sam Bambery, who brings his sophomore album Rubricator to the forefront after two years of considered studio work and tours across his native Aotearoa/New Zealand. Rubricator is the second work produced alongside longtime friend and collaborator De Stevens, a partnership proving to be travelling at a great pace. The album was nurtured across photography studios and lounge rooms with an impressive roster of local music talent including Hannah Everingham, Mackenzie Hollebon (Juno Is) and Thomas Isbister.Bambery’s 2022 debut Songs About Sailors saw him riding a tide of emotionally fraught alt-country, echoing the raw, live sound characteristic of the early work of Wilco. Yet, on Rubricator, although Bambery’s warped folk tendencies persist, the arrangements breathe more freely. Lead track 24.01 leads the listener towards tight indie pop then diverting to lush piano work. Uncertain plays on the doom-balladry of Rowland S. Howard and makes an easy switch into the temple of rock n’ roll devotion.
Bambery doesn’t shy away from cliché or his own referential nature either. The pitched-vocal opening of Parasite will remind 90’s indie kids of the irreverence of Pavement’s Silence Kid. The distinctive drums on Tricks of Light recontextualise classic trip-hop inclinations. The Burnout’s surf-psychedelia situates itself in classic Aotearoa pop-rock. Bambery reminds us that we live in a postmodern world where nothing is truly new, just our individual expression.Rubricator is an indie-rock record through and through, but is conscious of its own existence. Microcassette recordings and intercom static weaved through the album make it feel as though it’s talking to itself. Jokes, French alphabetisation and self-deprecating humour all have their place. This personal touch feels like an encounter with Bambery’s psyche that leads us through his diverse songwriting palette.To write in red is to change meaning. For Sam Bambery, change is always happening. Rubricator is a distinct shift in tone, a leap into new sonic territory for the former folk rock troubadour. Bambery is the maker of his own rubric, making a particular but gentle mark in his own artistic journey.‘Pay attention to this, it’s written in red’.
Music Videos
Live
Upcoming Shows
21st February - Leadbeater Hotel w/Phoenix Street, Assorted Pleasures, Goodwin3rd March - Punter's Club Fitzroy w/Winter McQuinn, Acacia Pip7th March - Oh Jean! Records w/Hannah Everingham10th March - Northcote Social Club w/Seagull, Hannah Everingham
Past Shows
202421st Dec Cactus Room supporting Bananagun, Naarm/Melbourne
16th Dec Punter's Club Fitzroy w/Dopey Mick, Naarm/Melbourne
7th June Rubricator Album release show w/Holly Kimber, Jobs, Craigslist Soundsystem, Ōtautahi/Christchurch
24th April Tastemaker, Space Academy, Ōtautahi/Christchurch w/S.E.I.S.M.I.C
5th April The Single Fin Mingle, Ōtautahi/Christchurch
4th April Wunderbar, Ōhinehou/Lyttelton supporting Blair JollandsMini Tour
11th January Cupid Bar, Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland w/Big Sur
12th January TSB Festival of Lights, Ngāmotu/New Plymouth
13th January Common Ground, Paetūmōkai/Featherston20238th December Space Academy, Ōtautahi/Christchurch supporting Velveteen
24th November Holly Kimber and Sam Bambery, Space Academy, Ōtautahi/Christchurch
28th October Te Kitā Hou/The New Guitar, Space Academy, Ōtautahi/Christchurch w/Marsha, Greg Malcom + Heather Webb, Subatomic Therapy, T.G Shand and Dr. Lee Borrie
15th October Space Academy, Ōtautahi/Christchurch supporting Office Dog
11th August Space Academy, Ōtautahi/Christchurch supporting Violet HirstŌtautahi Triptych Tour
17th February Grainstore Gallery, Oamaru
18th February Bark, Ōtepoti/Dunedin w/Keira Wallace
2nd March MOON w/Mystery Waitress
3rd March Whanganui Musicians Club, Whanganui
10th March Space Academy, Ōtautahi/Christchurch w/Admiral Drowsy
11th March Underground, Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland w/Violet Hirst25th February Electric Avenue, Ōtautahi/Christchurch202228th October The Antipodean Gothic, Lyttelton Coffee Company, Ōhinehou/Lyttelton w/Hannah Everingham, Opawa 45s, Emily Fairlight, Sam White Group and Bruce Russell
7th July COLOUR, Dux Central, Ōtautahi/Christchurch w/Jam Henderson, Holly Kimber, Phrench Konnektion
27th May The Piano (solo), Ōtautahi/Christchurch
12th May Bark, Ōtepoti/Dunedin w/Neive Strang20211st December Spaced Out Sessions, Grater Goods, Ōtautahi/Christchurch
22nd October Here I Am Single Release, Space Academy, Ōtautahi/Christchurch w/Hannah Everingham and Violet French
3rd July 12 Bar, Ōtautahi/Christchurch w/Too Woke For Toast and Fiona Dead
3rd June darkroom, Ōtautahi/Christchurch w/Lafayette Hudson and Daniel Madill
for NZ/AU booking/enquiries
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