Music Industry News

Inspired by the rise and fall of a charismatic tech entrepreneur, former Mutton Bird and Kiwi songwriter Polite Company (Alan Gregg) has released his deceptively sweet new single ‘Barefoot Billionaire’.

While Polite Company is a new name across the Aotearoa music scene – as the previous bass player of iconic Aotearoa band The Mutton Birds, and from his previously released solo project Marshmallow, London-based, New Zealand songwriter Alan Gregg is certainly no stranger. ‘Barefoot Billionaire’ follows recently released single, ‘Circulation’ (RNZ, The Most FM), and was inspired by a story from the business section of a newspaper. “Rock stars are generally pretty well behaved these days,” says Alan, “if you really want to see bad behaviour, read the business pages.”

The story was about a young entrepreneur who had created a huge company and then fell spectacularly from grace. “Just before being forced out of the company, which he created, he was photographed on a street in Manhattan – barefoot and talking on his phone – which is where ‘Barefoot Billionaire’ came from.”

Also announced today is the release date for Polite Company’s debut album Please Go Wild – which is this NZ Music Month, 24 May! Mostly recorded in a North London home studio, additional recording was done at Famous Times Studio in London, with guest artists including Sean Read (Dexys) who plays brass and percussion.

Hailing from Palmerston North, and now based in London, Alan Gregg was originally a keyboard player but has mainly played bass guitar throughout his professional life. After moving to Auckland, he joined The Mutton Birds (1992 – 1998; returning for live shows in 2012 and 2019), where he contributed bass, vocals, keyboards, and wrote a number of songs. After leaving The Mutton Birds, he acted as a producer and studio and touring musician, before recording and releasing his first solo album under the name Marshmallow (2002) – which features well-known musicians such as Bic Runga and Ron Sexsmith. Alan has also appeared as a musician on albums by artists such as Dave Dobbyn, and produced Brand New – the second album by New Zealand band The Stereo Bus. Polite Company is the first solo music project since Marshmallow (2002), and it’s one to get excited about – so press play on ‘Barefoot Billionaire’ now and stay tuned!

Check out all things Polite Company below:
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Photo credit: Kerry Brown