Deans is bringing a drummer and bass player with her, Richie Pickard and Redford Grenell, although she promises some people will see her play solo.
She is a frequent visitor to Dunedin. "I love touring, and I always feel disappointed when I get to the end of a run.
"I love the bonds you form with the crew you're touring with; I love meeting new people in each town; I love performing; the actual travelling gets a bit tedious, but it's about the only time I usually get to read so even that has its up side."
Deans finds travelling inspirational.
"I often come up with ideas and bits'n'pieces when on the road, but I tend to need somewhere a bit more stable and private to really finish things. I tend to get a bit shy and anxious if I think people can hear me. Although sometimes you feel ... you're just some conduit for this little notion that really needs to burst out of the ether and into the world."
She's keen to return to Chicks, as she has fond memories.
"We love Chicks - both my band and Fur Patrol love it! There's just that great vibe. ... It has a sense of history, it's cosy without inducing claustrophobia, and the people ... are warm and welcoming and rich in character."
> See her
Julia Deans plays at Chicks in Port Chalmers tonight before heading north to The Penguin Club in Oamaru on Thursday.
• Chris Matthews, of the recently reformed band Children's Hour, will be playing at the Cook on Friday, November 26, with Rob Mayes and Brett and Heath from Squirm as Robot Monkey Orchestra.
Unfortunately, Matthews says there's little chance of Children's Hour coming south.
> See them
Chris Matthews plays with Robot Monkey Orchestra at The Cook on Friday with Squirm and Death By Silo.
• Dudley Benson brings birdsong to Maori Hill's Coronation Hall on Wednesday.
Benson will perform songs from his new album Forest: Songs by Hirini Melbourne - re-interpretations of Melbourne's bird waiata.
He is joined on tour by a vocal quartet, a female beatboxer and dancer Cat Ruka. The show also features an original backdrop by painter Nigel Brown. The show starts at 8pm.
