England-based harmonica innovator Brendan Power is in Dunedin tomorrow as part of a nationwide jaunt, and veteran death metallers 8 Foot Sativa play at the Backstage on Thursday.
New Zealander Brendan Power is playing a retrospective show at St Lee's, in Dundas St, with the New Edinburgh Folk Club, featuring tunes from throughout his career, including from his work as a soloist on Riverdance, with Sting, James Galway, Van Morrison, Paul Young, Shirley Bassey, and more.
"This tour is my first ever without an accompanist, and it's putting me on my mettle to come up with a range of ways to keep the shows interesting on my own.
"For example, I'm using a loop pedal and beat-boxing to create my own live grooves, and singing more."
Power says, like the ukulele, the harmonica, or mouth organ, is making a comeback of sorts.
"There is a lot happening on the harp these days, and an explosion of interest via YouTube lessons. Kids are beat-boxing with it, as well as wanting to play the blues . . . There is a growing buzz in the harp scene."
Power says one of the biggest attractions of coming to Dunedin is to play with a few friends.
"Yes, that's a big part of the tour, jamming on stage with local musicians, some of whom I know, others I will just meet on the night. It will add a nice edge of uncertainty, and bring in some local flavour along the way."
•Catch him
-Brendan Power plays at St Lee's Restaurant and Café, in Dundas St, tomorrow from 7.30pm.
On pretty much the complete opposite side of the musical coin, New Zealand death metal heroes 8 Foot Sativa, are also in town this week, and are promising a raucous show at The Backstage, with plenty of support from a host of great bands, including Christpuncher, and In Dread Response, who co-headline the tour.
Singer Ben Read says Dunedin fans can expect a good one, as they've just played some great shows.
"We just finished the first leg of the tour in which we played Wellington, and both Gisborne and New Plymouth twice (all-ages and R18 shows).The R18 in Gisborne was great, can't wait to get back there.
"Well, I can guarantee you a kickass night. We'll be playing a killer selection of songs from all Sativa albums, as well as the new single Sleepwalkers. We'll also have a few surprises in store, so don't miss out."
8 Foot Sativa's debut album Hate Made Me went gold in 2002, and their second album Season For Assault went to No 1 on the independent charts, a first for a metal band in New Zealand.
•Catch them
-8 Foot Sativa bring their "Waking the Sleepwalkers" tour to The Backstage with tour support from In Dread Response, and locals Incarnate and Christpuncher. They play on Thursday at the Backstage.
