So when I was given the opportunity to photograph and review their gig at Inglewood's Cue Theatre I was frothing.. and apprehensive, this would be a home game for the Taranaki locals but more than a few steps away from my home territory of punk and metal in dingy dive bars, and as my first official assignment for Muzic NZ I would be getting well out of my comfort zone. I needed a plan…

Turning to ever faithful google I discovered that the first step for successfully shooting Turkey (the bird) is good camouflage, this would mean foregoing my usual ripped jeans and battle jacket, but without time to get my hands on a leopard print 2 piece suit favoured by the band, I would need to compromise.

A loud shirt and an interesting hat works wonders for blending into the Turkey the Bird audience, and for once I felt young among the crowd, which is not surprising as a Thursday night theatre show does tend to attract a greying crowd. It was a classy affair, with everybody dressed to the nines, showcasing the underlying funky and arty subculture of the Taranaki region.

I suppose the band themselves, comprising of gen x and millennials must have missed the memo about our generation's nihilism, with lyrics like “everybody needs a little sunshine” its unsurprising that they appeal to those who grew up on the tail end of The Beatles, Beach Boys and The Mommas and The Pappas. But make no mistake, even the young and the miserable can benefit from some sonically nourishing Turkey.

The second piece of advice from google was to practice a good turkey call, I found this confusing initially, however Andre clarified shortly after the intermission that doing your best “goblgoblegobble” is the appropriate method of showing your appreciation to the band in leu of traditional applause, they also like to get the crowd singing, teaching us call and repeat choruses before launching into the songs. In case I haven’t yet made it clear, these guys are FUN to see live.

The bands live sound is bigger than a three piece “guitar band” has any right to be, padded with masterful playing of the banjo, mandolin, bass and alto ukulele, slide guitar, and spoons as well as the clever use of an electric kick drum pedal and foot tambourine to create a very tight rhythm section, without the organisational and technical issues a drummer can bring. They are tight, tight in the kind of way bands practise for aeons to be, while never feeling robotic, and willing to meet the crowd on a human level, when they for instance, forget how to play one of their newer songs, they can have a laugh about it.

The onstage banter is often overlooked in gig reviews, but I have to say, these guys have got it down, they are performers and totally comfortable in front of a crowd, their quick witty snips, and bit pieces, bouncing jokes off each other like Forest Gump playing table tennis. Music is subjective, but whether or not you vibe with the sound, I think anyone would struggle not to like these three guys, the charisma is infectious, the fun is contagious.

Many prominent acts associate the neo-folk and “newgrass” sound such as The Dead South, Matt Hekler and Lost Dog Street Band lean on themes of depression, substance abuse, violence with an overarching Nostalgia for an America that never really was.

Turkey the Bird feels like a glass of ice water after one too many hazy pale ales, songs like “Art and Design” have harmonies to rival the dead south without the cowboy cosplay, Lady Who is storytelling to rival lost dog street band without the misery. This is not sad cowboy Americana neofolk, this is refreshing Kiwiana newgrass, this is not gutrot moonshine, this is an L&P and Lion Red shandy (try it before you judge) on a hot summer late morning.

Tasting notes: Zesty, fruity, bold
Nose: Manuka Scrubland, windy west coast beach on a sunny day
Mouth feel: bubbly, tangy with a smooth finish
Pairs well with: Fresh caught snapper (vege option: fried halloumi) and waldorf salad.

Highlights: Lady Who, Stonewall Creek, Everybody Needs a Little Sunshine

If you like Turkey The Bird, you should try: Trampled by Turtles, Greensky Bluegrass, The Eastern, Banana Mundo and The Frank Burkitt Band

Photo Credit: Patrick Loughran / Sick Shooter Photography
Turkey The Bird Photo Gallery

• 1
  Outside In
• 2
  Horror Story
• 3
  Fraser Ross
• 4
  Head Like A Hole
• 5
  Fur Patrol
• 6
  Michelle Rounds
• 7
  L.A.B.
• 8
  The Boondocks
• 9
  Us As Robots
• 10
  Late to Chelsea

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• 
  Great Sounds Great @ Wellington - 31/08/2024
• 
  Miss Leading @ Great Sounds Great, Rogue & Vagabond, Wellington - 31/08/2024
• 
  Castlecliff Lights @ Great Sounds Great, Hotel Bristol, Wellington - 31/08/2024

• 1
  DIE WITH A SMILE
  Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
• 2
  TASTE
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 3
  BIRDS OF A FEATHER
  Billie Eilish
• 4
  ESPRESSO
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 5
  PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 6
  A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
  Shaboozey
• 7
  LOSE CONTROL
  Teddy Swims
• 8
  GOOD LUCK, BABE!
  Chappell Roan
• 9
  TOO SWEET
  Hozier
• 10
  BIG DAWGS
  Hanumankind And Kalmi

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