Don McGlashan
Encyclopedia
Don McGlashan is a New Zealand
musician and songwriter who has been a member of bands such as The Plague, From Scratch
, The Whizz Kids
, Blam Blam Blam
, The Front Lawn
, The Mutton Birds
and, from 2009, The Bellbirds
. He composed several pieces for the Limbs Dance Company
. He has now embarked on a solo career.
, from 1979, McGlashan played a number of more eclectic percussion instruments, such as PVC piping struck with jandals; the name of the group came from the fact that they produced their own instruments 'from scratch'.
When asked what Instruments he plays he answered with "Well I don't play violin".
With Blam Blam Blam
, McGlashan played drums and euphonium. He later picked up guitar duties for his work with The Front Lawn
and The Mutton Birds
. McGlashan has also collaborated with other New Zealand musicians, playing the euphonium in tracks by Dave Dobbyn
('It Dawned On Me'), Tim Finn
and on Time On Earth
, by Crowded House
. He played live with Crowded House at Glastonbury 2008 and has been a regular member of the touring line-up throughout their 2008 world tour.
, was released in May 2006. In March 2009, the Marvellous Year
album was released through Arch Hill Records. This album is the first to be credited to 'Don McGlashan & the Seven Sisters'. It includes a new version of the hit 'Bathe in the River', this time with McGlashan on lead vocals.
song Don't Fight It Marsha, It's Bigger Than Both Of Us. In the 1989 awards, McGlashan, along with Harry Sinclair, received three awards for their work as The Front Lawn
: 'Best Film Soundtrack / Compilation', 'Most Promising Group' and 'International Achievement'. In 1993, McGlashan's group The Mutton Birds
won a further three New Zealand Music Awards: 'Album of the Year', 'Single of the Year' (for Nature), and 'Best Group'.
Warm Hand
was announced as a finalist for 'Album of the Year' in the 2006 awards. His work on the album has also placed him in the running for the 'Best Male Solo Artist' award. McGlashan, SJD
and Ed McWilliams were nominated for the 'Best Producer' technical award, but did not win.
Silver Scroll, a prestigious award for songwriting, for Anchor Me - performed by The Mutton Birds
. In 2006, McGlashan had two songs nominated for this award - a feat last achieved by Dave Dobbyn
in 1995. Bathe in the River
, written by McGlashan for the film No. 2, later won the award.
Literary Fellowship for song writing.
Street Legal
won 6 AFTA Awards in 2003 including: Best Original Music: Don McGlashan.
had used a song performed by the Muttonbirds (Anchor Me
) when the election results showed that the National Party
had won the New Zealand elections
.
McGlashan stated that he "would rather have sex with a very
ugly
crayfish
" than let the National Party use his music. The song had been used by TVNZ in terms of the Australasian Performing Right Association's
blanket licence with TVNZ.
On 28 March 2011 McGlashan suffered three broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a broken collarbone after he hit a car door while cycling in Valley Road, Auckland. He was hospitalised.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
musician and songwriter who has been a member of bands such as The Plague, From Scratch
From Scratch (music group)
From Scratch are a New Zealand performance and recording group that use home made rhythms and instruments. They performed from 1972 to 2002 with an ever changing lineup though principally led by Philip Dadson...
, The Whizz Kids
The Whizz Kids
The Whizz Kids were a New Zealand pop/rock band featuring Andrew Snoid, Mark Bell, Tim Mahon, and Ian Gilroy. They released a 7" single called Occupational Hazard on Ripper Records in 1980. On the b side is The Spelling Mistakes - Reena...
, Blam Blam Blam
Blam Blam Blam
Blam Blam Blam were a New Zealand pop/rock/alternative band. Tim Mahon and Mark Bell had been members of The Plague and The Whizz Kids...
, The Front Lawn
The Front Lawn
The Front Lawn was a New Zealand musical/theatrical duo formed by Don McGlashan and Harry Sinclair. From 1989-90, they were joined by Jennifer Ward-Lealand. Their song Andy appeared at number 82 in the Top 100 New Zealand Songs...
, The Mutton Birds
The Mutton Birds
The Mutton Birds was a band from New Zealand formed in 1991 by Don McGlashan, Ross Burge, and David Long.-History:All three members came into the band with experience: McGlashan came from Blam Blam Blam and The Front Lawn, guitarist Long had played in the Six Volts and Burge had played in the...
and, from 2009, The Bellbirds
The Bellbirds
The Bellbirds formed in 2009 in Auckland, New Zealand. The band consists of Sandy Mill: vocals, percussion,Victoria Kelly: vocals, piano, organ, Don McGlashan: vocals, guitar, various instruments and Sean Donnelly : vocals, guitar, bass. At present Sean Donnelly writes most of the songs.-External...
. He composed several pieces for the Limbs Dance Company
Limbs Dance Company
Limbs Dance Company was established in Auckland, New Zealand in 1978, emerging from a lively whirl of artistic and cultural activities in the country's largest and most multicultural city...
. He has now embarked on a solo career.
Instruments
McGlashan has played a number of different instruments throughout his musical career. Some of his earliest instrumental work was with the French horn and percussion for the Auckland Symphonia. Working with From ScratchFrom Scratch (music group)
From Scratch are a New Zealand performance and recording group that use home made rhythms and instruments. They performed from 1972 to 2002 with an ever changing lineup though principally led by Philip Dadson...
, from 1979, McGlashan played a number of more eclectic percussion instruments, such as PVC piping struck with jandals; the name of the group came from the fact that they produced their own instruments 'from scratch'.
When asked what Instruments he plays he answered with "Well I don't play violin".
With Blam Blam Blam
Blam Blam Blam
Blam Blam Blam were a New Zealand pop/rock/alternative band. Tim Mahon and Mark Bell had been members of The Plague and The Whizz Kids...
, McGlashan played drums and euphonium. He later picked up guitar duties for his work with The Front Lawn
The Front Lawn
The Front Lawn was a New Zealand musical/theatrical duo formed by Don McGlashan and Harry Sinclair. From 1989-90, they were joined by Jennifer Ward-Lealand. Their song Andy appeared at number 82 in the Top 100 New Zealand Songs...
and The Mutton Birds
The Mutton Birds
The Mutton Birds was a band from New Zealand formed in 1991 by Don McGlashan, Ross Burge, and David Long.-History:All three members came into the band with experience: McGlashan came from Blam Blam Blam and The Front Lawn, guitarist Long had played in the Six Volts and Burge had played in the...
. McGlashan has also collaborated with other New Zealand musicians, playing the euphonium in tracks by Dave Dobbyn
Dave Dobbyn
Dave Dobbyn, ONZM is an award-winning New Zealand musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. In his early career he was a member of the rock group Th' Dudes and was the main creative force in pop band DD Smash...
('It Dawned On Me'), Tim Finn
Tim Finn
Brian Timothy "Tim" Finn, OBE is a New Zealand singer and musician. Finn is most known for his music with New Zealand 1970s and 1980s rock group Split Enz, and later for his solo work, a temporary membership in his brother Neil's band Crowded House and his joint efforts with Neil Finn as the Finn...
and on Time On Earth
Time on Earth
Time on Earth is the fifth studio album by the pop-rock band Crowded House. Tracks have been produced by both Ethan Johns and Steve Lillywhite and the album was released on 30 June 2007 in Australia, 2 July in the United Kingdom and 10 July in North America...
, by Crowded House
Crowded House
Crowded House are a rock band, formed in Melbourne, Australia and led by New Zealand singer-songwriter Neil Finn. Finn is the primary songwriter and creative director of the band, having led it through several incarnations, drawing members from New Zealand , Australia and the United States...
. He played live with Crowded House at Glastonbury 2008 and has been a regular member of the touring line-up throughout their 2008 world tour.
Solo albums
McGlashan's first solo album, entitled Warm HandWarm Hand
Warm Hand is a May 2006 album by New Zealand songwriter Don McGlashan. It was a finalist for the 2006 New Zealand Music Awards' Album of the Year, and McGlashan was a finalist for Best Male Solo Artist for his work on the album...
, was released in May 2006. In March 2009, the Marvellous Year
Marvellous Year
Marvellous Year is an album by New Zealand songwriter Don McGlashan and The Seven Sisters. The Seven Sisters are: Chris O'Connor, Maree Thom, John Segovia and Dominic Blaazer. All the songs were written by Don McGlashan.Label: Arch Hill Recordings...
album was released through Arch Hill Records. This album is the first to be credited to 'Don McGlashan & the Seven Sisters'. It includes a new version of the hit 'Bathe in the River', this time with McGlashan on lead vocals.
New Zealand Music Awards
McGlashan won the 'Best Song' award in the 1982 New Zealand Music Awards, for the Blam Blam BlamBlam Blam Blam
Blam Blam Blam were a New Zealand pop/rock/alternative band. Tim Mahon and Mark Bell had been members of The Plague and The Whizz Kids...
song Don't Fight It Marsha, It's Bigger Than Both Of Us. In the 1989 awards, McGlashan, along with Harry Sinclair, received three awards for their work as The Front Lawn
The Front Lawn
The Front Lawn was a New Zealand musical/theatrical duo formed by Don McGlashan and Harry Sinclair. From 1989-90, they were joined by Jennifer Ward-Lealand. Their song Andy appeared at number 82 in the Top 100 New Zealand Songs...
: 'Best Film Soundtrack / Compilation', 'Most Promising Group' and 'International Achievement'. In 1993, McGlashan's group The Mutton Birds
The Mutton Birds
The Mutton Birds was a band from New Zealand formed in 1991 by Don McGlashan, Ross Burge, and David Long.-History:All three members came into the band with experience: McGlashan came from Blam Blam Blam and The Front Lawn, guitarist Long had played in the Six Volts and Burge had played in the...
won a further three New Zealand Music Awards: 'Album of the Year', 'Single of the Year' (for Nature), and 'Best Group'.
Warm Hand
Warm Hand
Warm Hand is a May 2006 album by New Zealand songwriter Don McGlashan. It was a finalist for the 2006 New Zealand Music Awards' Album of the Year, and McGlashan was a finalist for Best Male Solo Artist for his work on the album...
was announced as a finalist for 'Album of the Year' in the 2006 awards. His work on the album has also placed him in the running for the 'Best Male Solo Artist' award. McGlashan, SJD
SJD
SJD can refer to:* Sir John Deanes, a sixth form college in Northwich, England* SJD, a musician from New Zealand* Doctor of Juridical Science , a doctorate degree...
and Ed McWilliams were nominated for the 'Best Producer' technical award, but did not win.
Silver Scrolls
McGlashan won the 1994 APRAAustralasian Performing Right Association
The Australasian Performing Right Association is a copyright collective representing New Zealand and Australian composers, lyricists and music publishers. The association's head offices located in Sydney Australia, and it has branch offices in Auckland, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth...
Silver Scroll, a prestigious award for songwriting, for Anchor Me - performed by The Mutton Birds
The Mutton Birds
The Mutton Birds was a band from New Zealand formed in 1991 by Don McGlashan, Ross Burge, and David Long.-History:All three members came into the band with experience: McGlashan came from Blam Blam Blam and The Front Lawn, guitarist Long had played in the Six Volts and Burge had played in the...
. In 2006, McGlashan had two songs nominated for this award - a feat last achieved by Dave Dobbyn
Dave Dobbyn
Dave Dobbyn, ONZM is an award-winning New Zealand musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. In his early career he was a member of the rock group Th' Dudes and was the main creative force in pop band DD Smash...
in 1995. Bathe in the River
Bathe in the River
"Bathe in the River" is a single released by New Zealand group Mt Raskil Preservation Society, featuring singer Hollie Smith. It appeared on the soundtrack for the New Zealand movie, No. 2....
, written by McGlashan for the film No. 2, later won the award.
Other
In 2001, McGlashan received a University of AucklandUniversity of Auckland
The University of Auckland is a university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest university in the country and the highest ranked in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, having been ranked worldwide...
Literary Fellowship for song writing.
Street Legal
Street Legal (2000)
Street Legal is a New Zealand drama focused on the lives of a small group of lawyers. A total of 52 episodes were aired and reruns currently can be seen around the world...
won 6 AFTA Awards in 2003 including: Best Original Music: Don McGlashan.
Movies
- Other Halves (NZ 1984)
- The GrasscutterThe GrasscutterThe Grasscutter is a 1990 film directed by Ian Mune and written by Roy Mitchell. It was shot in southern New Zealand, mostly in Queenstown and Dunedin.The music was written by Don McGlashan and Wayne Laird....
(NZ/UK 1988) (with Wayne Laird) - An Angel at My TableAn Angel at My TableAn Angel at My Table is a 1990 New Zealand-Australian-British film directed by Jane Campion. The film is based on Janet Frame's three autobiographies, To the Is-Land , An Angel at My Table , and The Envoy from Mirror City ....
(NZ 1990) - Cinema of UneaseCinema of UneaseCinema of Unease is the New Zealand contribution to the British Film Institutes Century of Cinema Series. Written and directed by Sam Neill, the title refers to the dark and brooding nature of many of New Zealand's most notable films, which Neill considers a reflection of the nation's struggle to...
(UK/NZ 1995) - Like It IsLike It IsThis article is about the movie. For other uses see, Like It Is .Like It Is is a 1998 British gay-themed romance film. It stars Steve Bell, Ian Rose, Roger Daltrey and Dani Behr.-Plot summary:...
(UK 1998) - No. 2 (NZ 2005)
- Out of the BlueOut of the Blue (2006 film)Out of the Blue is a 2006 New Zealand film directed by Robert Sarkies and starring Karl Urban. The film premiered at the 2006 Toronto Film Festival in Canada and was released in New Zealand on 12 October 2006 to minor controversy...
(Song: "I Will Not Let You Down") (NZ 2006) - The TattooistThe TattooistThe Tattooist is a 2007 New Zealand film directed by Peter Burger and starring American actor Jason Behr and New Zealand actors Nathaniel Lees, Michael Hurst and Robbie Magasiva among others...
(Song: "I Will Not Let You Down") (NZ 2007) - Dean SpanleyDean SpanleyDean Spanley is a 2008 New Zealand and British comedy-drama film, with fantastic elements, from Miramax Films, Atlantic Film Group and General Film Corporation , directed by Fijian New Zealander Toa Fraser...
(UK/NZ 2008) - Show Of HandsShow of Hands (film)Show of Hands is a feature film written and directed by Anthony McCarten. It stars Melanie Lynskey, Craig Hall and Stephen Lovatt.Based on true events, the story concerns an endurance competition where the person who can keep their hand on a new car the longest wins the car...
(NZ 2008) - MatarikiMatariki (film)Matariki was composed by Don McGlashan. 'What Love Can Do' was written for Matariki by McGlashan and sung by Bella Kalolo...
- (NZ 2010)
Short films
- The Lounge Bar (1989) (as The Front LawnThe Front LawnThe Front Lawn was a New Zealand musical/theatrical duo formed by Don McGlashan and Harry Sinclair. From 1989-90, they were joined by Jennifer Ward-Lealand. Their song Andy appeared at number 82 in the Top 100 New Zealand Songs...
) - Linda's Body (1990) (as The Front LawnThe Front LawnThe Front Lawn was a New Zealand musical/theatrical duo formed by Don McGlashan and Harry Sinclair. From 1989-90, they were joined by Jennifer Ward-Lealand. Their song Andy appeared at number 82 in the Top 100 New Zealand Songs...
) - The Painted Lady (2000)
- Tick (2002)
TV
- Mortimer's Patch (NZ 1979) (with Wayne Laird and Keith Hunter)
- Terry and the Gunrunners (NZ 1985)
- Street LegalStreet Legal (2000)Street Legal is a New Zealand drama focused on the lives of a small group of lawyers. A total of 52 episodes were aired and reruns currently can be seen around the world...
(NZ 2000-) - Orange RoughiesOrange RoughiesOrange Roughies is the name of a New Zealand drama television show created by Auckland-based film company Screenworks, the first season of which screened on TV ONE from May to July 2006. The second season has recently finished filming and is, according to TVNZ, due to screen sometime between...
(NZ 2006) - This Is Not My Life (NZ 2010)
- RocKwizRocKwizRocKwiz is an Australian television quiz show series, focused on rock music, and broadcast on SBS One. It premiered in 2005.-Summary:The forty minute program airs on Saturday at 9:20 pm, and is hosted by Julia Zemiro. It is shot in The Gershwin Room at St Kilda's Esplanade Hotel, commonly...
contestant and guest (episode 94), along with Jenny Morris
Shorts
The Front Lawn:- Walkshort 1987:- all the characters were played by Don McGlashan and Harry SinclairHarry SinclairHarry Sinclair is a film director, writer, and actor. In his early career he was an actor and member of The Front Lawn, a musical theater duo. He went on to write and direct several short films, a TV series and three feature films.-Background:...
. - The Lounge Bar 1989: Don McGlashan - Mike
- Linda's Body 1990: Don McGlashan - Ben
Theatre
- co-founder of Watershed Theatre, Auckland 1990 (disbanded 1995)
- Play 2, Maidment Studio Theatre, October 2002: Don McGlashan played a choirmaster.
Music for Limbs Dance Company
New Zealand- Arcade (1981)
- This Is A Love Song (1983)
- Decoy (1984)
- Souvenirs (1984)
- Vigil Switch (1985)
- Now Is The HourNow Is the Hour"Now Is the Hour" is a popular song, though often described as a traditional Māori song. It is usually credited to Clement Scott, Maewa Kaihau & Dorothy Stewart....
(1988)
Laura Dean Dancers and Musicians
New York, 1983- He co-composed the scores to two new Dean pieces
- Later appointed Music Rehearsal Director.
- Toured with the company on US and European tours, playing drums and synthesiser.
Personal life
In 2008 McGlashan was angered that TVNZTelevision New Zealand
Television New Zealand, more commonly referred to, and stylized as TVNZ, is a government-owned corporation television network broadcasting in New Zealand and parts of the Pacific. It operates TV1, TV2, TVNZ7, TVNZ Heartland, TVNZ U and new media services....
had used a song performed by the Muttonbirds (Anchor Me
Anchor Me (Greenpeace song)
"Anchor Me" is a song by the New Zealand band The Mutton Birds from their 1993 album, Salty. In 2005, an all-star line-up of New Zealand artists collaborated to re-record the song, under the name Greenpeace, as a charity-fundraising single to mark the twentieth anniversary of the bombing of...
) when the election results showed that the National Party
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
had won the New Zealand elections
New Zealand general election, 2008
The 2008 New Zealand general election was held on 8 November 2008 to determine the composition of the 49th New Zealand parliament. The conservative National Party, headed by its Parliamentary leader John Key, won a plurality of votes and seats, ending 9 years of government dominated by the social...
.
McGlashan stated that he "would rather have sex with a very
Physical attractiveness
Physical attractiveness refers to a person's physical traits which are perceived to be aesthetically pleasing or beautiful. The term often implies sexual attractiveness or desirability, but can also be distinct from the two; for example, humans may regard the young as attractive for various...
ugly
Anthropomorphism
Anthropomorphism is any attribution of human characteristics to animals, non-living things, phenomena, material states, objects or abstract concepts, such as organizations, governments, spirits or deities. The term was coined in the mid 1700s...
crayfish
Crayfish
Crayfish, crawfish, or crawdads – members of the superfamilies Astacoidea and Parastacoidea – are freshwater crustaceans resembling small lobsters, to which they are related...
" than let the National Party use his music. The song had been used by TVNZ in terms of the Australasian Performing Right Association's
Australasian Performing Right Association
The Australasian Performing Right Association is a copyright collective representing New Zealand and Australian composers, lyricists and music publishers. The association's head offices located in Sydney Australia, and it has branch offices in Auckland, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth...
blanket licence with TVNZ.
On 28 March 2011 McGlashan suffered three broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a broken collarbone after he hit a car door while cycling in Valley Road, Auckland. He was hospitalised.