05 January 2011 - 1 Comment
Her Make Believe Band and The Bads are pleased to announce a 13-concert tour this February which includes shows in Greymouth, Lyttelton, Picton, Tokomaru and Onewhero, as well as the more traditional touring centres of Wellington, Raglan and Auckland. Designed with a 'show' in mind, the two bands promise a night of musical excellence and fun- there will be sets from each band, as well as various collaborations, throughout each night.
Led by New Zealanders Cy Winstanley and Vanessa McGowan, Her Make Believe Band is a London-born band who play a masterful blend of Americana fused with jazz, soul and pop. Her Make Believe Band's debut NZ tour earlier this year resulted in a number of sold out shows and wide reaching media attention for both the tour and debut album, AM Radio (Old Oak Music, 2009). AM Radio has also received critical acclaim in the UK, with Uncut Magazine describing songwriter/vocalist/guitarist Winstanley as "a potent songwriter with a voice gently reminiscent of Paul Simon" while noting the "beguiling harmonies" of vocalist/bassist McGowan.
"A delightful album...hooks you in with melodies and keeps you there by virtue of the words...very sharp stuff" - Graham Reid, http://www.elsewhere.co.nz/
The Bads (Dianne Swann and Brett Adams) released their second album, So Alive, in 2009. Filled with gorgeous melodies and pop songs that shimmer with a country vibe, it garnered rave reviews upon release, including a 4-star NZ Herald review describing the album as a "relaxed and cohesive affair which lets the songs breathe with rustic charm and fine tunes". Also a London born collaboration, Brett and Dianne achieved critical success in the UK music press and live circuit with their band The Julie Dolphin. Now based in NZ, The Bads have supported Lucinda Williams, The Jayhawks and The Swell Season, and had their music played on the Hunger For the Wild TV series, Outrageous Fortune, and American TV series' The Unit and Kyle XY. Meanwhile, Brett has gained his rightful place as one of the country's top guitarists, performing with Tim Finn.
While thrilled to be performing throughout New Zealand again in their original line-ups, both Her Make Believe Band and The Bads are especially excited about the musical collaboration the tour will allow, with the chance to explore new and old songs with the wide range of talent and experience the two bands bring together.
TOUR DATES
February:
Wednesday 2nd Wellington - Mighty Mighty
Thursday 3rd Greymouth - Franks
Friday 4th Wanaka - The Riverhouse
Saturday 5th Dunedin - Chicks Hotel
Sunday 6th Lyttelton - Harbour Light
Wednesday 9th Nelson - Fairfield House
Thursday 10th Picton - Le Café
Saturday 12th Wanganui - Repertory Theatre *
Sunday 13th Tokomaru - The Bent Horseshoe Café *
Wednesday 16th Napier - The Cabana
Thursday 17th Raglan - Orca Bar
Friday 18th Onewhero - OSPA Theatre
Sunday 20th Auckland - The Classic
* Her Make Believe Band only (with special guests)
For ticketing information please go to www.hermakebelieveband.com/tourinformation.htm
New Press Release: 19/01/11
While Wellington, Raglan and Auckland are pretty traditional places to play on a NZ tour, one band who is stepping off the beaten concert track this summer is Her Make Believe Band. They’ll play not only these centres, but many more on their 14-date national tour, including Greymouth, Geraldine, Lyttelton, Picton and Onewhero.
Her Make Believe Band is a London-born band, led by New Zealanders Cy Winstanley and Vanessa McGowan, who play a masterful blend of Americana fused with jazz, soul and pop.
“We’re really excited about playing all these shows this summer,” says Vanessa McGowan, “and really thrilled to be performing throughout the country again.”
Last year’s tour in support of debut album AM Radio was the bands’ first in NZ, and resulted in widespread acclaim and a number of sell-out shows.
A special feature on this tour will be Auckland based banjo, fiddle, guitar and vocalist Dave Khan who is a prominent fixture on the Auckland scene and has played with Don McGlashan, Hello Sailor, Auckland Philharmonia, Tami Nielson and Charlie Ash.
The tour will also see the debut of original songs by HMBB bassist and vocalist Vanessa McGowan.
The tour was originally planned as a joint one with The Bads, however a family illness has seen The Bads regretfully pull out of the tour.
Don’t miss your chance to see Her Make Believe Band and Dave Khan play this February – no doubt they’ll be playing in a town near you!