"Writing children’s music meant I was always close to home and I loved it.
"Creating music for tamariki has been a real privilege.
"But I’m very excited to be back in the world of folk, jazz and blues".
The unique brand of van Riel’s music has taken her across North America, Australia, Europe where she sang for Prince Albert of Monaco and even to the Himalayas, where she performed at the world’s highest music festival.
In 2013, her folk and bluegrass album Whistle and Hum was nominated for Best Country Album at the NZ Tui Awards.
Nearly 14 years ago van Riel’s first child Matilda, was born with a rare abdominal wall defect which encouraged her and Hāwea-born husband Locky to return home from Australia.
"I needed my Mum for that one", van Riel said of her rather overwhelming introduction to motherhood and the medical system.
To celebrate her upcoming 7th studio album, van Riel is bringing her band, The Back Road Revolution, to the Bannockburn Hall on Sunday.
The event is a mini festival of creativity.
A voice practitioner by day, van Riel will host a community vocal mechanics workshop from 2pm-4pm for those who are keen to demystify blocks around their voice and learn some 101 tools on how to use the whole body as an instrument.
Doors and the bar open for the evening concert at 6.30pm, with the show kicking off at 7pm.
Audience members could expect an evening of psychedelic folk all the way through to Appalachian-inspired blues, sultry jazz and a little audience participation to boot.
"We have a community rich in art creators, who understand what it means to share your craft.
"I’m nervous and excited to bring these new works to my community and to bring together my whole band. I’d be so delighted to fill all 99 seats."
The artist will be joined by Invercargill’s Renee McGinnis (quarter bass) and Brad MacClure (fiddle & mandolin) and Wānaka’s Juan Campos Zorrilla (lead guitar) and Flynn Willemse (drums).
