Daddy Was an Outlaw _{by Madelaine Empson}

Grab the lemon and lime, because The Bitter Brothers are coming home! The Welly-based southern-gothic old-time alt-folk alt-country five-piece of half-brothers and half-sisters don’t take themselves too seriously, but they sure love to spin a good yarn.

Little Willy Bitter (aka Alfred Mürrle), Holly Jean Bitter (Holly Carrington), Alex Bitter (Alex Hills), Bully Bitter (Duncan Nairn), and WB Bitter (Dan Hearn) share a common absent father – a no-good, lily-livered, dirty rascal of a man who left a string of illegitimate children behind as an outlaw on his way round the world. All alone and bereft of a fatherly figure, the kids finally found each other and together discovered the healing power of love, family, and, above all else, music.

And thus, The Bitter Brothers were born.

In concert, these toe-tappers tell true* and tall tales of darkness, death, and redemption through original and traditional folk songs with a uniquely alternative bent. They can be comical and theatrical or deadly serious… either way, bitterness never sounded so darn sweet.  

With the recent release of their debut album Daddy Was an Outlaw, The Bitter Brothers have been busy delivering astonishing reveries across the North Island. Now, Wellingtonians can greet them on the last stop of the tour: a homecoming that will serve as their final gig for a while. The band is about to enter a period of hibernation while Bully Bitter welcomes his second child into the world. This double bassist, backing vocalist, rhythm master, and leader of the primal deep takes his patrimonial duties seriously, never to repeat the sins of the father.

Saddle up for a wild ride at Vogelmorn Upstairs on the 8^th of August.

*Cannot be guaranteed.