Kiwi reggae mainstays showcase best of Oz talent
Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 6:29 pm

---

New Zealand reggae band Cornerstone Roots are doing their bit for our trans-Tasman cousins Blue King Brown, The Josh Owen Band and Budspells in March as the bands play dates in Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington.
All the acts are in New Zealand playing at the Soundsplash Eco Reggae Festival on February 23-24 and while many will see the Australian-based acts in Raglan the Cornerstone Roots-organised tour gives the chance for cities further afield to witness their talents.

The four-band lineup play Dunedin's Backstage on March 1, Christchurch's UCSA Ballroom on March 2 and head north on March 3 to play Subnine in Wellington.

Tickets are available from Real Groovy in the three centres or online at www.motherland.co.nz

While Cornerstone Roots are part of the reggae establishment in this country the three Australian-based bands won't be quite so well known. Their talent and sound, which is very akin to New Zealand flavours, won't allow that to remain for long.

All three bands have strong New Zealand or Polynesian roots and are excited to be coming and want to impress on their whistle-stop tour so many, and longer, returns will be in the pipeline.

BLUE KING BROWN

Following on from their recently released debut album 'Stand Up' and supporting Damien "Junior Gong" Marley, Michael Franti and Cody Chestnutt on their Australian tours, Blue King Brown have become the must-see live act across the Tasman.The seven piece band's upbeat music, which includes afro, reggae, funk and soul flavours, earned them an APRA songwriters award in 2005 for their single Water and the band "can't wait" to bring their rhythms to New Zealand this summer.

Bassist Carlo Santone, who established the band with singer and guitarist Natalie Pa'apa'a in 2003, said their appearance in New Zealand will fittingly be a reconnection with the band's roots.

Samoan-born Pa'apa'a's mother grew up in New Zealand and "Australia's Queen of roots music" still has plenty of family in this country.

"We've always had that island connection," Santone said.

"Natalie recently went back to Samoa for the first time in 15 years and this trip is another chance for her to go back to her roots."

With their first sojourn to our shores, their audiences can expect Blue King Brown's performance to be high energy coming with a strong conscious message.

The band and their lyrics often deal with indigenous rights and land ownership issues and Santone said those concerns would hold resonance with a New Zealand audience.

"We speak up about the many injustices around the world. We look forward to coming to New Zealand to learn more and share."

Along with two female backing singers Blue King Brown are : Carlo Santone (bass), Natalie Pa'apa'a (vocals/guitar), Salvador Persico (percussion), Sam Cope (keys) and Julian Goyma (drums).

www.bluekingbrown.com

JOSH OWEN BAND

Josh Owen may have lived the majority of his life across the ditch but he still uses bro after most sentences and classes himself a Kiwi.

Born in Wanganui to a Maori mum and pakeha father Josh has lived largely in Melbourne since with a few trips home. He still has a lot of family living in New Zealand.

"Unfortunately and fortunately I've lived here in Oz," Josh said.

"I'm a Maori with red hair...and pretty strange looking."

While his bloodlines might be mixed Josh is clear on what New Zealand audiences can expect.

"There will be lots of funk, heaps of groove and some reggae too. Hopefully the bros will dig it."

On the back of a live album and a studio EP the Josh Owen Band have become widely popular in Australia on the festival and live scene. They are currently in the studio working on their debut full length studio album.

New Zealand audiences had the opportunity to see the Josh Owen Band on a mini tour last year while they were also part of the Melbourne leg of the recent Dub Conspiracies Australian tour.

The Josh Owen Band are: Josh Owen (vocals/guitar), John Clayton (drums) and Lucas Taranto (bass).

www.joshowen.com.au

BUDSPELLS

Budspells - which is MC Kye on vocals and Ants doing beats and production - hail from New Zealand, but are based in Bondi, Sydney. They are creating a name for themselves as leaders in the new steppas sound based in rich reggae, dub and hip hop traditions.

They made two appearances on the hugely popular Dub Conspiracy album and many New Zealand listeners will be well aware of their tracks Rukus (which features vocals from P-Digsss of Shapeshifter fame) and Feel Styles from this release.

Their debut EP 'Inner Sences' has won acclaim on both sides of the Tasman.

Budspells played alongside Salmonella Dub, Fat Freddy's Drop, Kora, Cornerstone Roots and Shapeshifter during their involvement in the Dub Conspiracy Australian dates in recent years.

http://www.myspace.com/budspells

RE: Kiwi reggae mainstays showcase best of Oz talent
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 12:20 am

---

This is an automatic reply stating that Muzic Bot has closed this thread due to inactivity.

This means that there have been no posts made to this thread for a period of 12 months and the thread has been locked.

Now that this thread is locked, you will not be able to make any further posts to it.