News: Godfather of punk in Kiwi collaboration

Iggy Pop is making a new band – and plans to fill it with Kiwis he meets online.

The Godfather of Punk is inviting Kiwi musicians to help him re-record ‘The Passenger’, one of his best known solo tracks.

It’s all part of a promotion from telecommunications company Orcon for its next generation broadband.

Orcon CEO Scott Bartlett says Iggy is going to be in the driving seat, reproducing his hit with Kiwi talent.

“If you’d like to sing lead vocals, backing vocals, harmonise, play guitar, bass, drums…or anything with Iggy Pop, register with us at www.facebook.com/orcon <http://www.facebook.com/orcon> .

“We’re looking for eight talented Kiwis who have the right credentials to help Iggy lay down a new version of probably his most classic song. But instead of going in to the studio with him, it’s all going to happen over the internet with the magic of Orcon broadband.

“Iggy’s in charge and he will select the musicians to join his band from video auditions they upload to our website. It’s powered by Orcon and it’s going to be huge.”

On 30 October, the selected New Zealand band members will connect to Iggy’s Miami studio via the internet, with everyone in the band laying down their tracks and Iggy singing the vocals.

The studio is going to capture all the audio and vocal feeds and create a unique musical and video rendition of ‘The Passenger’. The music and footage is then going to be used to create commercials and a full music video.

“As far as we know, nothing like this has been done before, certainly not in New Zealand and not globally as we understand,” Bartlett says. “So it’s ground-breaking stuff and also a great way for us to showcase the power of Orcon broadband and what can be done with it by talented New Zealanders.

“The internet is enabling Kiwis to do incredible things each day and this helps us prove that.”

The call for musicians kicks off today (7 Oct.) and entries close at noon on 22 October. The final ad will to be available for viewing on the Orcon website and on TV on the week commencing 16 November.

New Zealanders can follow the search from now and watch the ad being made via live stream on 30 October at www.facebook.com/orcon <http://www.facebook.com/orcon> .