New Zealand rocker Tim Finn comes to town for a Turner Hall Ballroom show on Feb. 6.
Finn left the still popular Spliz Enz ("I Got You") in 1983 for a solo career and in 1991 joined his brother, Neil, for Crowded House's "Woodface" album. Tim has also recorded with Neil as The Finn Brothers, but this week he brings tunes from his 2006 solo release "Imaginary Kingdom" to Milwaukee.
With a new Split Enz record in the works and an overseas reunion tour on the books, we asked Finn -- who did not appear here last year when Crowded House played The Pabst -- about the possibility of a Split Enz tour in the States, about Milwaukee and a few other questions.
OMC: What do you know about Milwaukee? Are you excited to play here?
TF: All I know is there are people there that want to see me play, there is a radio station that has been playing my song, and some of the fans go back to the Split Enz days. And, there is a large body of water near by. I'm very excited to play Milwaukee because it is my first solo show in this fair city.
OMC: So, when's the Split Enz reunion tour in America?
TF: We get asked this a lot, and there is strong interest and it's possible. But Split Enz moves in geological time frames. Noel Crombie only just got e-mail. I for one would be keen, with New Zealand late March and it's only 15 hours on a plane.
OMC: What's getting the most listens on your ipod these days?
TF: I don't have an ipod, but "Sexual Healing" by the Hot Eight Brass Band from New Orleans -- that is on our intro tape each night to get me in the mood.
OMC: Tell us about "Imaginary Kingdom?"
TF: It's my seventh solo album, I think, not including soundtracks, I wrote it after touring Finn Brothers for 18 months, and there is a strong connection between these songs and the live audience.
Some people say it's one of my strongest albums, but what I do I know? I still like listening to it but enjoyed making it in Nashville in someone's back garden shed. It's full of river ocean moon mountain landscape ... bittersweet.
OMC: We won't miss the opening act. How did you meet Alice Peacock?
TF: I have never met her, but she was recommended by my agent. I look forward to hearing her songs.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
