The Eastern are a string band that roars like a punk band, that swings like a gospel band, that drinks like a country band, that works like a bar band, that hopes like folk singers, and sings love songs like union songs, and writes union songs like love songs, and wants to slow dance and stand on tables, all at the same time. Whether roaring as a thunderous seven-piece band or swinging the loud lonesome sound as a smaller combo and having played over 2000 shows in their storied 15 year ramble, The Eastern can hold it down in all settings for all comers.
 
  The Eastern have played in every nook and corner of the good isles of New Zealand, and have broken strings and dented floors in parts beyond, Australia, Europe and the United States. From Papanui to Portland, Shirley to Switzerland, they’ve seen more than their share of stages, street corners and bars but treat any opportunity to hold it down and play as a gift and one they’d be fools to waste. They play like they mean it, like it’s all they know how do…because they do and it is.
 
  They’ve toured with Steve Earle (twice), the Old Crow Medicine Show (twice) and the Lilʼ Band of Gold as well as opening for everyone from Fleetwood Mac to the Jayhawks to Jimmy Barnes to Justin Townes Earle as well as Hayes Caryll, Jim White, John Doe, Victoria Williams and Vic Chestnut.
 
Having delivered up four albums (‘The Eastern’, ‘Arrows’, ‘Hope & Wire’ and ‘The Territory’), three e.p.’s, and of course the aforementioned hundreds and hundreds and hundreds shows, The Eastern garnered a reputation as NZ’s hardest working and most honest to goodness band, one that embraced an old-fashioned ethic of people and shows over posts and playlists. They gather converts and friends wherever they or their records land.