ALBUM LAUNCH: JULIE LAMB – ORDINARY DAYS

Ordinary Days, the fourth and finest album from Julie Lamb and her fantastic band will be launched Saturday, March 11, Mac’s Function Centre, Wellington, 7.30-11.00pm. Entry is FREE!

The title of Julie Lamb’s new album might claim “Ordinary Days” – but it was clearly a special time in the studio, magic happening and lightning bottled this fourth time around.

The Wellington-based singer/songwriter and bandleader can boast of a career highpoint with the 11 songs here, tunes traversing the funk, soul and pop fields as they always have but now, rightfully, a band sound has cemented. This is the fourth outing for Julie and band but some of the members are caught here for the first time. It’s a band sound that’s been building across the last decade – vocal arrangements supported by horns, all of it swimming in the liquid tone of the guitar and lapping sound of the bass and drums.

Ordinary Days is the soundtrack to a summer Wellington might never have – at least not all in a row. The 11 songs here ride on funky guitar lines and the soothing sass from the saxophone and trombone. The snare drum snap signals a finger-click call to the rest of the band and as Lamb shares her tales of sleeplessness and the pressures of work and mental health, of the fight to get through each day and the right to wear a smile at the start of any night (and hopefully right through from there) she’s supported by the warmth and thrill of both the band and her choir of backing singers (Debra Rock-Evans, Ree Thomson, Miranda Turner). Theirs is a collective sound to drink in, the perfect satiation for the musically parched. Sunshine bursts through with the title track’s effortless exuberance, Hashtag On A Good Day is an a capella ode to the capital city’s weather – recalling the songs and style of When The Cat’s Away and The Front Lawn. Elsewhere there’s a jazziness (Mind Flit) or a deep soul plunge (Why Do I Forget?) but it’s actually about the dreamy merge of these songs – very much an album, a 43-minute car-ride of music; a soundtrack to pack alongside the beach ball and picnic blanket.

Ordinary Days oozes talent, charm and soul – as the Julie Lamb Band consolidates on the previous albums and finds a collective sound, a co-lamb-oration if you will… And you should. You most definitely should. “Ordinary Days has a nice chilled Kiwi vibe, refreshing and fun. This is highly recommended listening.” Corinner,  www.muzic.net.nz

The launch party features five a cappella songs written by Julie and performed by 10dd and friends, followed by the presentation of the album by the Julie Lamb Band and then it’s time for a party with well-known covers and upbeat, funky originals primed for dancing. Mac’s Function Centre will be dressed for the night with lightning design by Tymar, audio by Sounds Good and set design by Supercolour.   

ANNA HAWKINS ANNOUNCES BOLD NEW ALBUM & 12 DATE TOUR

New Zealand singer-songwriter Anna Hawkins announces the release of her colourful new album 'Bold, Brave & Beautiful.' Arriving in NZ stores on the 10th of March, Anna's third studio album sees the performer release her most energetic offering to date, with an added emphasis on a new phase of her career - songwriting.

Drawing from a variety of musical inspirations, the album maintains continuity with her iconic voice and inspirational song selection while experimenting with the style of her original material.

"As a whole the album is more upbeat than my previous work, exploringpersonal themes and crossing over genres a bit more."

The album also features the same lush instrumentation of previous works, teaming up again with talented Polish producer Pawel Zarecki, recording the album and orchestra in Warsaw. The diverse song-list combines Anna's original material with some brilliantly reimagined work from the likes of Michael Jackson, Simon & Garfunkel and Sarah McLachlan to find musical expression for the central themes of freedom, courage and vulnerability.

"Whats been really exciting about this album is exploring my own songs which have taken me into new territory musically. I’m drawn to songs that move me over and above a specific genre of music. This is reflected in what I’ve performed over the years and especially in what I've sought to create with this album."

To support the release Anna will be touring 12 venues throughout New Zealand in March and April.

12 Date ‘Bold, Brave & Beautiful Tour’

Returning home from the UK Anna will hit the ground running with a 12 date tour lined up around the country.

Performing a new show, the tour coincides with the release of her latest album 'Bold, Brave & Beautiful.’ On top of her brand new original material the tour will see Anna perform songs from musical giants and personal heroes such as Simon & Garfunkel, Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, Shirley Bassey, Leonard Cohen and more.

Led by Musical Director Stephen Small Anna will also be joined on stage by her band for parts of the tour and various special guests at each stop including her sister Lisa Grace Hawkins.

Details and ticketing for the tour can be found at www.eventfinda.co.nz

Palmerston North - Friday 17th March, Cafe Royale (Dinner & Show)

Napier - Saturday 18th March, Church Road Winery (Dinner & Show)

Rotorua - Sunday 19th March, Blue Baths (High Tea Matinee)

Hamilton - Friday 24th March, University of Waikato, Playhouse Theatre

Tauranga - Saturday 25th March, Holy Trinity Church                                         

Morrinsville - Sunday 26th March, Wallace Art Gallery (Matinee)

Queenstown - Saturday 1st April, Hilton Queenstown Hotel (Dinner & Show)

Ashburton - Sunday 2nd April, Ashburton Trust Events Centre

Whanganui - Wednesday 5th April, Prince Edward Auditorium Wanganui Collegiate

New Plymouth - Thursday 6th April, 4th Wall Theatre

Karapiro - Friday 7th April, The Hangar- Exclusive Event

Auckland - Saturday 8th April - The Vic Devonport (Presented by the ‘Devonport Arts Festival’)

Christchurch - Friday 31st March - Transitional Cathedral EXTRA SHOW - Will Martin ‘Encore’ (Joining as a guest artist)