july 2015
Two Chiefs – 25 July – The Rogue Stage Lounge
Midge McCleary, is back with a brand new album and new tunes. “Sugar” will deliver his unique style of blues, funk, folk and jazz blend – based on his percussive fingerstyle guitar playing. Having toured for almost two decades, nationally and internationally, his talent has gone under the radar for far too long. An exceptional player, intricate and melodious one moment, the next grooving a marathon of notes on the fret board. His trusty stomp box rocking out the beat to his alternate tunings and slapping bass lines. Midge’s most recent tour was to South East Asia: playing shows in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.
Previously, Midge has played at The Marlborough Wine Festival, Herbs Unplugged, Jersey Fish Festival, Sark Folk Festival, support for Paul Ubana Jones, Sanctuary Sounds, Mai Farm Sustainable Festival and Marlborough International Sauvignon Blanc Day.
Listen more here: Midge McCleary Myspace
Watch:
Supporting Midge, is chief no 2, Pete Fountain. I met Pete at an original ‘Naked’ music showcase at Lava Bar, Rotorua. His songs immediately struck me as well poised, beautifully composed and delivered with so much depth. I had to investigate and found in return a talent of song. His first album, ‘Will’, was produced by Eddie Rayner of Split Endz and Crowded House fame. It received both radio and TV play in NZ and in 2012 it was re-released to the international market via iTunes. Each song on this album stands out, each with its own story.
Listen more here: Pete Fountain Bandcamp
Watch:
Suggested minimum donation is $20, includes a vegetarian meal, courtesy Tea & Happiness.
BYO drinks and if you prefer, food.
To book, email theroguestage@gmail.com or buy over the counter (cash only) from Musicworks Rotorua.
Too Many Chiefs – 18 July – Shambles Theater
Four great NZ singer songwriters are performing live this coming Saturday, 18th July, at Shambles Theater. Too Many Chiefs, features Wayne Mason, Rob Joass, Andrew London and Laura Collins.
From a chance meeting in a Paekakariki cafe in 2012, four singer/songwriter bandleaders hatched a cunning plan to join forces and present a show featuring their favourite original songs, without their usual ‘Indians’. Although working in slightly different genres the Chiefs discovered enough common ground to compile a repertoire that brings together elements of jazz, country, folk, blues and good old rock’n’roll, and showcases some of the best songwriting New Zealand has to offer.
Wayne Mason is something of a Kiwi icon, having won the ‘song of the millennium’ with his song ‘Nature’, first recorded in the ’60s with The Fourmyula, and also covered by the Muttonbirds in the ’90s. A founder member of the legendary Warratahs, Wayne has also recorded several albums under his own name, ‘Sense Got Out’ being the most recent.
Rob Joass leads two groups; ‘The Shot Band’ and ‘Hobnail’. He has toured Canada and parts of Europe with his gritty songs that are equal parts Celtic folk and country rock, the occasional barb of satirical humour betraying a mischievous sense of perspective on the human condition, honed by decades of constant touring through the highways and back roads of NZ.
Andrew London is best known for his trio Hot Club Sandwich, whose repertoire consists mostly of Andrew’s whimsical, humourous and satirical ditties. He was also a founder member of Kapiti’s ‘Cattlestops’, a five-piece country band whose album ‘Back to Rosetta Road’ provided much of the soundtrack to the movie ‘Second Hand Wedding’.
Laura Collins brings a welcome gentility to the stage, thankfully balancing the testosterone level. Known for her soulful voice and bringing ‘heart on sleeve and tongue in cheek’ in equal measure to her own writing, her instinctive and empathetic vocal contributions to the other Chief’s songs are highlights of the show.
Opening act: Gary Forrester
Based in Wellington, Gary (or Jeshel as some would know him), visits Rotorua regularly. It was during one of these visits that I met him through a mutual friend, John Hamilton. Gary have been recording and producing album since the 1980’s and has been profiled in Random House Australia as a major influence on Australian music during that time. His latest album, Alma Rose, is a stunning collection of self penned songs. It is available from Musicworks Rotorua and as one of my favourite albums, I urge you to get a copy. Otago Daily Times gave it four out of five stars.
Cost per person to attend the concert is $25. You can pre book your ticket by email theroguestage@gmail.com or you can buy it over the counter at Musicworks Rotorua. While you are in the shop, you can also pick up a copy of NZ Musician Magazine and read Chris Dent’s review of Alma Rose.
Tickets not pre-booked and bought on the door is $30
Cash bar and light meals available, doors open at 6.30pm
Group bookings of more than 10 people $20 per ticket.
See you Saturday!
Glass Vaults – 4 July – Illume After Party – Coromandel Town
A very exciting weekend ahead! The Rogue Stage is going on tour with Glass Vaults!
This coming weekend, Illume is happening in Coromandel Town. The town is lit up and lots of art, live music and light installations take place. In collaboration with Coro Sonic Lab, The Rogue Stage is presenting this magnificent band as the headline act at the Illume After Party.
Date: 4th July
Where: the old Four Square building in Coromandel Town
Time: 10.30pm onward
Cost: $15 per ticket pre booked (at theroguestage@gmail.com) or $20 on the door
Coro Sonic Lab is well known in Rotorua for excellent sound care at the annual Rogue Fest, and with Nuit de Joie – a midwinter gig held on the Lakeland Queen with Mamaku Project in August 2013. Matt Sephton (Coro Sonic Lab) goes beyond duty to secure a super delivery of sound.
Glass Vaults is band from Wellington and is led by core members Richard Larsen and Rowan Pierce. Some describe their music as ‘glacial pop’ – I think of it as rhythms communicating live on stage alongside synthesizers and vocal harmonies. The live experience of Glass Vaults is an experience of becoming aware of higher levels of resonance and vibration, pulsating rhythms, sonic landscapes and the minimal vocal arrangements echoing without weight.
Kind regards,
Karin
The Rogue Stage 