Stoking a fiery mixture of bluegrass country / gospel rock to lighten the hearts of listeners during these grey autumn weeks is Songs from an Endless Night, the debut album from The Advocators. The Maungaturoto-based songwriting team of Leroy Brown (guitar, banjo, lead vocals) and Mark Bruce(guitar, backing vocals, melodica) were joined by William Jackson and Anita Clark (Motte) to crystallise their lush rustic vision, appropriately laid down in a Tomarata barn-studio then expertly mastered by Chris Chetland (Kog Studio).

This off-the-beaten-track recording setting carries through both sonically and lyrically. Background tavern chatter enlivens the lovelorn balladry of 'Bad Girls', the duo wander along wide open dusty trails in their tender-plucking 'Dreams', and ponder itinerant lifestyle choices in 'Waitin' Around To Die' (originally by Townes Van Zandt). Foregrounding Brown's powerful and rich vocal talents, the thirteen song collection is certainly suitable listening for drowning your sorrows, kept balanced by a strong rambunctious streak — check out the soul redeeming foot-stomp of 'Elijah' and their electrifying take on Neil Diamond's 'Solitary Man'.

An assured first offering with tunes that feel lived through, The Advocators promise album release tour dates "to all the hillbilly hotspots around New Zealand are set to be announced for later this year." Keep an eye out on their Instagram page HERE and open your ears to Songs from an Endless Night...

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