The Topp Twins

It's been a mammoth year for the Topp Twins. Their film, The Topp Twins, Untouchable Girls has grossed $1.9 million at the Box Office, making it the Number One documentary to ever be released in New Zealand and among the Top 10 New Zealand movie releases of all time.

At the recent Melbourne International Film Festival (July) and Toronto Film Festival (September) the film was bestowed the "Best Audience Choice" Award pipping renowned American filmmaker Michael Moore of the prestigious Toronto accolade.

Locally, the Topp Twins also picked up other awards; "Best Feature Film under $1 million" and "Best Original Music in a feature film" at the 2009 Qantas Film and Television Awards; and "Best Country Music Duo 2009" at the National Country Music Awards.

Never one to rest on their laurels, this month the Topp Twins are on the road on their 18 date, sold-out national tour of New Zealand celebrating "100 years of the Topp Twins"; they release a new studio album and announce a Summer Wineries Tour in January 2010 with legendary New Zealand singer/songwriter Don McGlashan and his band The Seven Sisters.

The Topp Twins new album Honky Tonk Angel was produced by their old friend Don McGlashan. The 13 track CD is touted to be their finest work yet with the majority of songs written by Jools and Lynda Topp. Honky Tonk Angel was recorded at Neil Finn's Roundhead Studios, with McGlashan and his band The Seven Sisters playing on most of the tracks.

On collaborating with the Topp Twins McGlashan said; "The Topp Twins are a couple of hard-living, hunting, shooting, horse-wrangling women. Getting them to show their sensitive side was a dangerous job, but somebody had to give it a crack. This is one of the most enjoyable records I've ever worked on; I'm sure it will connect with the Twins' legion of fans, and I hope it wins them some new ones too."

Jools Topp: "Don is an absolute pleasure to work with. He is pure genius and highly professional, as well as being one of the softest men we know. He has a beautiful feel if he was a horse I would like to ride him."

In fact, the recording process was so much fun the trio have decided to hook up

for some special summer shows at North Island Wineries, January 5th-16th, 2010 (tour details below).

The Wineries tour will feature a set by the Topp Twins, then McGlashan and The Seven Sisters with a finale by all performers singing songs from the Twins new album Honky Tonk Angel.

The Seven Sisters is made up of some of New Zealand's finest musicians Including; Dominic Blaazer, Chris O'Connor (SJD), Maree Thom and John Segovia.

Don McGlashan is recognised as one of New Zealand's foremost songwriters, artists and performers with a total of five entries in the APRA (NZ) Top 100 Songs Of All Time. His career spans from the seminal post-pop-punk band Blam Blam Blam, to art experimentalists The Front Lawn, to platinum selling and internationally acclaimed popular band The Mutton Birds.

McGlashan recently opened 'solo' for Crowded House on their US and Canadian tour and is part of the Neil Finn project 7 Worlds Collide.

The Summer Wineries tour is a chance for audiences to see The Topp Twins and Don McGlashan perform together recreating the magical moments experienced in the recording sessions which is sure to be a musical feast as well as a damn good night out!

2010 TOUR DATES:

Jan 5 Cable Bay, Waiheke

Jan 7 Mangawhai Tavern, Mangawhai

Jan 8 Ascension Wines, Matakana

Jan 10 Wharepai Domain, Tauranga

Jan 16 Black Barn, Hawkes Bay

All Bookings through Ticketmaster Ph: 09 970 9700 or www.ticketmaster.co.nz

Except ; Black Barn, Hawkes Bay Ph: 06 877 7985 or www.blackbarn.com &

Wharepai Domain, Tauranga Ticket Direct 0800 4 Ticket