NEWS: Her Make Believe Band Tour New Zealand

Tuesday , 16 Nov 2010

Her Make Believe Band & The Bads announce 13-date joint tour of New Zealand.

Her Make Believe Band and The Bads are pleased to announce a 13-concert tour this February which includes shows in Greymouth, Lyttelton, Picton, Tokomaru and Onewhero, as well as the more traditional touring centres of Wellington, Raglan and Auckland. Designed with a ‘show’ in mind, the two bands promise a night of musical excellence and fun– there will be sets from each band, as well as various collaborations, throughout each night.

Led by New Zealanders Cy Winstanley and Vanessa McGowan, Her Make Believe Band is a London-born band who play a masterful blend of Americana fused with jazz, soul and pop. Her Make Believe Band’s debut NZ tour earlier this year resulted in a number of sold out shows and wide reaching media attention for both the tour and debut album, AM Radio (Old Oak Music, 2009). AM Radio has also received critical acclaim in the UK, with Uncut Magazine describing songwriter/vocalist/guitarist Winstanley as “a potent songwriter with a voice gently reminiscent of Paul Simon” while noting the “beguiling harmonies” of vocalist/bassist McGowan.

The Bads (Dianne Swann and Brett Adams) released their second album, So Alive, in 2009. Filled with gorgeous melodies and pop songs that shimmer with a country vibe, it garnered rave reviews upon release, including a 4-star NZ Herald review describing the album as a “relaxed and cohesive affair which lets the songs breathe with rustic charm and fine tunes”. Also a London born collaboration, Brett and Dianne achieved critical success in the UK music press and live circuit with their band The Julie Dolphin. Now based in NZ, The Bads have supported Lucinda Williams, The Jayhawks and The Swell Season, and had their music played on the Hunger For the Wild TV series, Outrageous Fortune, and American TV series’ The Unit and Kyle XY. Meanwhile, Brett has gained his rightful place as one of the country’s top guitarists, performing with Tim Finn.

While thrilled to be performing throughout New Zealand again in their original line-ups, both Her Make Believe Band and The Bads are especially excited about the musical collaboration the tour will allow, with the chance to explore new and old songs with the wide range of talent and experience the two bands bring together.