May 5, 2022

The Black Seeds – Game Over: New Song of The Day

The Black Seeds release new song Game Over and announce a 7-date New Zealand tour.

Here’s the word from the folks at The Black Seeds:

Aotearoa eight-piece The Black Seeds have today announced an 7-date Aotearoa tour in support of their upcoming new album, LOVE & FIRE (released June 17).

The Black Seeds Kicking off with a hometown Wellington show on June 23, the tour then takes in six other New Zealand locations – New Plymouth on June 25, Auckland on June 30, Mount Maunganui on July 1, and Hastings on July 2. The tour then travels to the South Island for gigs in Christchurch on July 8 and finishing up in Wānaka on July 9.

This is The Black Seeds’ first national tour in five years and the band are excited to be back on the road playing their new material; as well as all The Black Seeds’ classics fans know and love.

“It’s always great to tour a new album in Aotearoa. I think I personally get more nervous or just have higher expectations of myself playing new songs on a NZ album release tour… I really look forward to sharing our music,” says Dan Weetman.

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General tickets for all shows go on sale at 9.00am Wednesday May 11 – HERE

Alongside the LOVE & FIRE tour announced today is the release of the new single by The Black Seeds – ‘Game Over’, accompanied by dub-version. Also out today is a captivating video for ‘Game Over’ – set on the inside of a pinball machine!

‘Game Over’ is the fourth single to be released from their upcoming seventh studio album LOVE & FIRE, out June 17. Previously-released singles from the album include ‘It’s So Real’, ‘Bring The Sun’, and ‘Let The Sunshine Through’.

Pre-order LOVE & FIRE HERE

Packed with muted guitar riffs, driving bass and drums, and an infectious horn section, ‘Game Over’ is a classic reggae track that showcases the bands iconic sound. Led from the front by vocalist Barnaby Weir, ‘Game Over’ tackles the challenging subjects of adversity, depression and the daily domestic grind.

“The lyrical content of this song describes some of the challenges and feelings of life as a musician and parent in this world,” says Weir.

“It’s about the struggle to be the best you can while maintaining relationships and careers – as well as feeling like you’re achieving something. It’s definitely a feeling we all have at times.”

Accompanying the single is a 70’s pinball inspired music video by Wellington Video Director, Ed Davis. Playing on the track’s title ‘Game Over’, Ed created digital versions of each of the eight band members inside a virtual gaming world.

“A lot of work went into making meshes of their faces from selfies, customizing their avatars, instruments, clothes and sunglasses”, explained Ed. “I filmed myself miming all their moves – guitar, drums, sax, trumpet – so I could mocap their avatars into life.”

“I love the old analog games, where you’re up against physics and gravity, making a little steel ball shoot up the rails and find the high score bumpers and bonuses. There’s some very convincing VR pinball games that tap into the exact same reflexes and timing. I can see a Black Seeds themed pinball game coming from all this.”

The Black Seeds released their debut album KEEP ON PUSHING in 2001, which despite a minimal marketing budget, went on to reach platinum sales in New Zealand. The second album, 2004’s ON THE SUN, added a heavy dose of funk and soul to their dub reggae sound. Third album INTO THE DOJO, signalled the beginning of the band’s introduction to the rest of the world. 2008’s follow-up SOLID GROUND and 2012’s DUST AND DIRT continued to build the band’s global following after they were successfully released through trailblazing North American label Easy Star Records. Easy Star subsequently re-released the entire catalogue from the band in North America. The critically-acclaimed album FABRIC was released in 2017.

Consistent touring throughout Europe, North and South America, has led to over 80 million Spotify streams since 2015, as well as placings on the US Billboard Reggae chart, and the iTunes Reggae Charts in the United Kingdom and Germany. Their tracks have found placements on cable classics ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Weeds’, as well on the big screen in movies like ‘Eight Below’ and ‘The Inbetweeners II’.

Highlights from two decades of international press have included The Huffington Post describing their sound as “thick, bottom-heavy, and melodic,” and Clash Music deeming them “one of the best live reggae acts on the planet”.

Don’t miss out on seeing The Black Seeds tour nationwide on home soil for the first time in five years as they celebrate the release of new album LOVE & FIRE.