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[[Image:Bill Direen.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Titus Books booklaunch 2008]] |
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'''Bill Direen''' is a New Zealand writer and musician. After researching such subjects as New Guinean theatre and Bau Haus total theatre concepts he abandoned doctoral studies to open a small alternative theatre in Christchurch, New Zealand. Plays by Artaud, Shakespeare and medieval works were workshopped and performed there, and it was the base for his band The Builders during a most popular period. These days he writes poetry or prose works when he has time, working as a tutor in New Zealand or teaching in France. He continues to perform his indie-style music and cabaret theatre songs in NZ and Europe. |
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==Writer== |
==Writer== |
Revision as of 22:56, 13 October 2008
Bill Direen is a New Zealand writer and musician. After researching such subjects as New Guinean theatre and Bau Haus total theatre concepts he abandoned doctoral studies to open a small alternative theatre in Christchurch, New Zealand. Plays by Artaud, Shakespeare and medieval works were workshopped and performed there, and it was the base for his band The Builders during a most popular period. These days he writes poetry or prose works when he has time, working as a tutor in New Zealand or teaching in France. He continues to perform his indie-style music and cabaret theatre songs in NZ and Europe.
Writer
- Enclosures Transgeneric novel in five parts. (Titus Books). 2008.
- Song of the Brakeman Apocalyptic vision of a future South Pacific. Science fiction novel. Titus Books. (2006)
- Nusquama Pop-band road-novel (2006).
- Coma Female voice narrative of a casualty at a rock concert. Novella. (Titus Books). 2005.
- Jules 24 hours in the mind of an art teacher in Paris. Novel. (Alpha/Addenda). 2002.
- Wormwood Yugoslavian refugee falls foul of the Berlin underworld. Novel. SPORT 1997.
- Percutio Annual journal (ed.). Poetry, fiction extracts, translations & versions, essays, reviews, history. Multi-lingual. 2006, -07, -08.
Musician
Direen produced a variety of albums and EPs in the eighties, under band names varying from Bilderine, Builders, Bilders, Die Bilder, Bilderbergers, etc. One decade later many of these songs were reorganized and released on CD by Flying Nun Records. Powertool Records have now released New York Sack CD, an album of "bits and pieces", (1995-2006), a reissue of Human Kindness, an EP of theatre songs using the words of NZ poet A.Brunton (d. 2002) and, this year (pending), an album of brand new songs. Direen continues to play and tour. The current Builders toured New Zealand in 2007 and recently recorded new material. Another tour is planned for the end of 2008 to promote the new Bill Direen & The Builders album.
Discography
- Bill Direen & the Builders - New Album Imminent. (Powertool) 2008.
- Bill Direen - Songs for Mickey Joe (Minialbum, CD, Powertool, 2008)
- Bill Direen - Human Kindness (NZ release with bonus track, CD, Powertool, 2007).
- Bill Direen - Yes Today, No Tomorrow (CD, Powertool, 2006).
- Bill Direen & Friends - New York Sack (CD, Powertool, 2006).
- Bill Direen - Human Kindness (Euro-release, CD, Corazoo).
- Bilders - Cut (CD, IMD, 1994) Full length album.
- Builders - Vol. 4 Pyx (CD, Flying Nun, 1994) A retrospective CD mostly covering the years 1985-1988.
- Bilderine - Vol. 3 - Split Seconds (CD, Flying Nun, 1994) A few songs of the original 1984 LP have been omitted and other ones added.
- Bilders Vol.2 - Beatin Hearts (CD, Flying Nun, 1993) Similar to the original 1983 LP, with the addition of 'Red Skies' and 'On the Beach Last Night', two out-takes from the original session at Progressive Studios in Auckland.
- Bilders Vol.1 - Max Quitz (CD, Flying Nun, 1993) This release combines 5 EPs from the eighties.