Bio

Hailing from Wellington, Harbour City Electric are a live seven-piece band who have incorporated a diverse array of influences ranging from Motown era funk and soul through to contemporary Hip-Hop to create their unique sound. Throwing synthesizers, tight horns, a kicking rhythm section and world-class vocals into the mix, Harbour City Electric have crafted their own unique style, which can only be described as Acid-funk and heavy break-beat soul.

Starting out as a rotating lineup of top Wellington musicians, based at home in the lounge bar of Sandwiches throughout 07/08 (Winner: Best Music Offering, 2007 NZ Bar Awards) the group had the pleasure of sharing the stage weekly with a whole host of heavy weight Wellington musicians. Members of The Black Seeds, Recloose Live Band, Solaa, Olmecha Supreme and Rhombus made appearances to name a few. The weekly Sandwiches residency defined Harbour City Electric’s place within Wellington’s competitive music scene.

April 20th 2009 saw the release of their debut EP, featuring guest singer extraordinaire Lisa Tomlins (Fat Freddy's Drop, Recloose, Rhombus) and five superbly crafted tracks. The EP was engineered by local legend Mike Gibson, mixed by Benny Tones (Electric Wire Hustle, Pacific Heights) at Newtown's Organik Muzik Workz and
mastered by Dave Cooley (J Dilla, Madlib, D'Angelo) at Elysian
Masters in Los Angeles. Since it’s release to radio, 'Red Pepper' – the groups debut single – has received extensive airplay nationwide, enjoyed eight consecutive weeks on RadioScopes Alt Top 40, and more recently several weeks at Kiwi FM’s number 1 spot. The EP continues to top sales charts at Real Groovy, as well as seeing successful sales nationwide.

“…A gorgeous five song, self-titled EP, which straddles a tasteful line between soul, funk, hip-hop and electronica - all tied together by Ned Worboys’ smooth soul saturated vocal lines.” - Martin Pepperell, NZ Musician Magazine

Harbour City Electric continue to amaze crowds with their unique sound and polished live stage show. Notable sets include headline slots at The Parihaka International Peace Festival, The Cuba St Carnival and Wellington Orientation, as well as hundreds of nationwide performances. Recently a nationwide tour including a sell-out EP release show at Wellington’s Hope Bros. 2009 is the year that the band makes an indelible mark on the rich fabric that is New Zealand music.

“I want to thank all the members of The Harbour City Electric for a riveting performance at Parihaka. It was greatness and with Lisa Tomlins, the band was out there big time.” – Te Miringa Hohaia, Parihaka Peace Festival organiser

“...Wellington outfit Harbour City Electric [were] crowd pleasers on a smaller, more intimate main stage. With a powerful lead singer and solid melody they look set to be the next pretties flying out of the capital." -Jamie Melbourne-Hayward: www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0901/S00204.htm

Band Members:
Simon Koziarski (guitar)
Paddy Bleakley (bass)
Ned Worboys (vocals)
Shaun Elley (drums)
Lex French (trumpet)
Richard Shirley (trombone)
Ed Zuccollo (keyboards)

Links

• Facebook Page
• Twitter Page
• Youtube Page
• Bandcamp Page
• SoundCloud Page