Dudley Benson is a Christchurch born artist who adds a unique voice to the musical landscape. He is described by some as an 'indie chamber-pop choirboy' and that sums his musical style up so well... so I'll go along with that. He is a former chorister (head soloist) at the Christchurch Cathedral, which is sadly now in ruins. He grew up in the Port Hills/Banks Peninsula area and the 'Akaroa' of this song's title "It's Akaroa's Fault" is the harbour town on the Banks Peninsula... about 80km from Christchurch. It is a beautiful French settlement and like Taupo, the population escalates in the summer. His ancestor Etienne Francois was one of the earliest settlers of Akaroa. "It's Akaroa's Fault" comes from his debut album 'The awakening' released in 2008 and is even more of a Christchurch album than Scribe's 'The Crusader'.... with references throughout. There is so much happening on "It's Akaroa's Fault" but there isn't an instrument in sight... it is an incredible vocal performance like no other you will ever hear. The lyrics combine Southland murderer Minnie Dean (The only woman in NZ given the death penalty) and the South Island faultline somehow. Although the line "the fault that runs across the South Island" is probably not so much about the seismic fault in the context here... however, it is so haunting now after the recent earthquake. It may take on a new meaning.
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