but wait - there's more...
Leigh Strange: Leigh Strange and her F-word set. (Songs supported by the letter F – like fire, failure, fooling, family, friends, fondness, faith, being F.I.N.E. you get the idea). Leigh brings songs full of soul and a voice to match, self-accompanied by “late night piano”, She writes and sings of learning to laugh in the face of mistakes, setting fire to fear and choosing what to treasure and to love. Every song originates from a heart-worn to a shine by her own and others’ joys, losses, drudgery and hilarity, and often influenced by olde blues, soul and folk rock.
alanjahjah and Band: alanjahjah was born Alan De Boeck, in Belgium, with strong ever living Liverpool Roots, which reach, ever deeper, to Eire/Ireland. Through his Daughter, Uisce, alanjahjah has Eire/Ireland Fruits, too, and Aotearoa/NZ Fruits through his Son, James. alanjahjah has called Mohua/’Red Golden Green Bay’ Home for 15 years now.
Lighthouse: Light House is Lisa Williams, a singer, songwriter, rhythm guitarist who writes interesting original songs with a folksy, blues, rock, reggae feel and creates a dynamic interplay with Brian Smith on lead guitar. Both musicians are based in Onekaka, Golden Bay, Lisa has been writing songs for 3 decades and is currently recording her second album.
Kiwijam: KiwiJam is all about connection, sharing music, being together and growing as musicians in relationship. Kristina Jensen, singer-songwriter on strings and Paul Candlish, percussionist and flautist, have been creating original soundscapes and songs for over 35 years together. KiwiJam’s thoughtful, quirky and uplifting lyrics will have you singing and toe-tapping along in no time!
John Black: John began playing guitar when he was a teenager. He played in a couple of cover bands many decades ago, or was it lifetimes ago? After an extended break, he has been writing and singing his own songs for the last couple years.
Hannah and Saci: Saci and Hannah are a Golden Bay–based folk duo known for their beautiful harmonies and heartfelt songs. Their collaboration began in 2022, singing soft harmonies over Hannah’s newborn daughter. They now share captivating acapella and acoustic pieces that celebrate nature, community, and meaningful storytelling.
Neil Bonner: Neal Bonner draws from his own deep well of prose poems and holds captive a hushed audience with spoken word and guitar. Originally from the UK and now resident of Golden Bay, Bonner is finding his own voice in words that tell stories against a back drop of some stunning original music. He weaves his words around the steel strings of his guitar and creates a strong and resonate tapestry of word-song that dances to its own tune. His performances are impossible to ignore.
Àine Barton: I am a Scottish-born, Golden Bay nested poet. Poetry to me is a way to make meaning from the mess. I write to make things make sense and to remind myself that nothing makes sense.
This event has been organised by Nick Feint and the Mussel Inn in association with Gary Smith and the GB Summer Arts Festival. More info from the GB Summer Arts Festival site here: