Thursday 25 July, Roseneath School Hall, Maida Vale Road, Roseneath, Wellington, 7:30 pm. Parking on site or catch the number 14 bus.
Entry: $15/$10 for members. Cash only (no eftpos facilities).
We’ve got a multiplicity of artists from the Wellington region for our July concert, with a loosely country/Americana/bluegrassy sort of flavour, and a healthy mix of covers and self-penned songs. There’s sure to be something to tempt you, so do come along and enjoy a night of warmth and harmony.
Dean Murray is a singer songwriter, luthier, builder, environmentalist, gardener, and fisherman. His large collection of songs, written over a period of 20 years, traverse conversations and observations about places, people, politics, and the planet. They are delivered with sincerity, along with a bunch of stories. Expect a very special combination of homemade songs on handmade guitars in various genres from folk through country to reggae, with occasional harmonica on the side.
Phonic Fever are an exciting new band keen to share their eclectic mix of original songs with ragtime, blues, swing and bluegrass influences. All four sing, sharing lead vocals and four-part harmonies. Anne O’Donnell (harmonica and ukulele) and Charles Greenlees (guitar, mandolin and fiddle), otherwise known as Chazanne, co-write most of the songs. Geoff Pearce (acoustic guitar) is a promising new songwriter and Jenny Kilpatrick of the Eagals and Madillionaires (acoustic bass) completes the line up. Their songs are often tongue in cheek with an element of infectious fun, but with occasional serious undertones and social commentary in unexpected places, for example The Bluegrass Boys and Let’s all love lettuce .
Haewai (Houghton Bay) Collective began a couple of years back when Janine Mitchell recorded an album of her original songs “Etched in My Soul”, with the support of Jack Binding’s great lead guitar and vocals, plus Kevin Ikin’s mandolin magic. Since then, they have performed at various venues including the Moon Bar and Thunderbird café in Wellington and at The Mussel Inn in Golden Bay and have recently been joined by Pete Lamb with his sensitive percussion.
Janine continues to write songs in a 60’s / 70’s folk style, and the group also has lots of fun reviving many of that era’s covers. Favourites include anything that touches the heart; political, protest, environmental and social issues. They are also collaborating on writing new songs.
Ratproof includes Cara Brasted, Rose Dohig, Phoebe Smith, Alex Howie and Rachel Dohig (but without Cara for this gig). They bring a unique mix of instruments and harmonies which have appeared round many kitchen tables, bonfires and more recently the stage, and feature solos on fiddle, banjo, flute, harmonica, and mandolin. Ratproof play acoustic folk/Americana music with both traditional and contemporary selections.
Where the name came from is unclear, even to the band themselves. Is it because Rose caught several rats and a weasel and on her trapline? Or because one day they’ll turn punk? Or because their first gig was at a seed swap? Who knows?
