Moorhouse headlines concert bill

Boy band Moorhouse, comprising  (from left) Brock Ashby, Marley Wilcox-Nanai, Rameka Paraki, Rory McKenna and Jason Aileone, is headlining a Labour Weekend concert in Oamaru. Photo supplied.
Boy band Moorhouse, comprising (from left) Brock Ashby, Marley Wilcox-Nanai, Rameka Paraki, Rory McKenna and Jason Aileone, is headlining a Labour Weekend concert in Oamaru. Photo supplied.
Life has been full-on for members of Christchurch boy band Moorhouse since they appeared on X Factor NZ last year.

Their debut album is set to drop in December, their summer schedule is packed with gigs, but on Saturday, they're headlining a concert in Oamaru, at the Loan and Merc.

They will play some of the new songs from their debut album - so Oamaru fans will be among the first to hear their new sound.

''I think that'll be the first gig that we showcase some of our new material ...

which is very exciting,'' band member Rory McKenna said.

Moorhouse, made up of McKenna, Marley Wilcox-Nanai, Brock Ashby, Jason Aileone and Rameka Paraki, has a large social media following and almost two million cumulative views on YouTube.

Signed to Sony, the band has released two singles, performed up and down the country and travelled to Australia to write songs for its debut album, but ''can't wait'' to head to Oamaru.

''I think it's awesome going to a small town,. that's great. It means we can bring something to them that they may not have had before, create some awesome memories,'' he said.

''Come on down [to the Loan and Merc].

Wwe really want to meet you, we really want to sing to you and we hope you have a good time.''

The band has been working on its debut since October last year and the support of Sony has helped with attracting producers, such as Grammy Award-winning recording engineer and songwriter Dru Castro, who has worked with the likes of Usher and R. Kelly.

It has also had the help of Vince Harder and Ginny Blackmore.

''We've got some really cool songs that we've written and some really cool songs that we've worked on with some of the best producers in New Zealand and even some international producers,'' McKenna said.

It had been ''a bit of a waiting game'' for the album to be released.

''It's almost like we've been hiding away in a cave, so I just can't wait for the people to hear it ...

we're really excited,'' he said.

Before X Factor, the lads did not know if they were going to have a career in the music industry.

''Now that we're signed and we've been granted money for an album, it's like, man, we've got to really think about our careers as musicians - which is awesome,'' he said.

Being recognised on the street was still hard to come to terms with, but definitely a perk.

''Not that that's what it's all about, but it's kind of cool that you can make someone's day by just saying hello to them,'' he said.

It has been a whirlwind year, but every performance and every visit to the studio is still a blessing and McKenna said he had loved sharing the journey with the boys.

''The group has grown so much in terms of personalities. It's awesome to see, especially because some of the boys' backgrounds haven't been so amazing,'' he said.

The Loan and Merc concert, has been organised by local organisations to offer Waitaki youth live music, dancing and activities in a safe environment. The list of performers includes Moorhouse, DJ Asher, Jordan Edwards and Clutha Dance.

Oamaru rock band Kudos will open for Moorhouse.

rebecca.ryan@odt.co.nz

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