Bio

AFTER more than five years of life, Auckland-based outfit Easy is on course to make a big noise 2009. With a six track EP recorded in early January under their belts and a unified sense of purpose and energy, this genre-bending band is ready to take their tunes to the masses.

While the name suggests otherwise, it has taken a lot of hard work to get to where they are now. The “roots” of Easy date back to 2004 and the “Poetry In Motion” jam nights held at Auckland’s Rising Sun nightclub. At this successful monthly residency - which spanned over 15 months - founding members Maia Rata (vocals), Perry Hooper (guitar), Jared Greenwood (guitar/bass), and Daniel Pilkington (bass/guitar) honed their live skills with a host of drummers, MC’s, DJ’s and guest musicians.

With a goal of making the transition from hobby jam band to serious working entity, the group enlisted the services of drummer Richard Beckmanflay in early 2006 and saxophonist Tom Mee in mid 2006 and set about making a name for themselves on the New Zealand live music scene. Blending elements of funk, soul, reggae, dub, rock and hip hop the group took their set of original compositions to the public sphere throughout 2006 and 2007; performing more than 50 gigs throughout the upper North Island.

However, after recording more than a dozen tracks towards a debut album, the band lost both their drummer and manager in early 2008.

After a winter break, the group found two new rhythmic allies; drummer Dan Bishop and Paaka Edwards on percussion and backing vocals, and set about making up lost ground. New blood also prompted a surge of creativity, with the band choosing to ditch the majority of their previous work in favour of composing an array of new, more energetic material.

The band has since successfully tested their new sound live, playing gigs at Auckland University’s End of Daze, as well heading out on the road, performing in Raglan, Coromandel and Mt Maunganui.

The group are now readying themselves to release their debut EP, and with a number of gigs all ready lined up, 2009 is set to be a big year for Easy.
Time to get onboard!

Easy Live Events

The band has won the 2006 AUT Battle of the Bands, live gigs include the Grey Lynn Festival 2006 & 2007, MVP Supershow, supporting Definate and Bling, Waiheke Island's Culturefest, Lothlorien Festival, Auckland Seafood Festival 2007, Ponsonby Market Day 2008, Shore Sounds Summer Series 2008 (support billed for Che Fu & The Krates), as well as supporting some of New Zealand music's biggest names; including Katchafire, d-Dub, Batacuda Soundmachine, and Salmonella Dub. The band has also played at all of Auckland's top live music venues; such as the King's Arms, Rakinos, Khuja Lounge, Rising Sun, Vesbar and The Dog's Bollix.

Band Members:
Maia Rata (vocals)
Paaka Davis Edwards (MC, backing vocals)
Jared Greenwood (guitar)
Tom 'Tomachi' Atkinson (drums)
Red Langton (bass)
Windon Bradfield (guitar)
Dillon Riesterer (keyboards)
Robert Simpson (trombone)

Links

• Artist Website
• Youtube Page