Anslie & Steve Apirana
Bathtub Gin Orchestra
Jordan Thomas trio
Steve Apirana is one of the finest gospel musicians currently working in Australasia. He is a gifted communicator, highly skilled guitarist and vocalist, with an extraordinary sense of humour. Specialising in blues and gospel, he has played alongside Daddy Cool, Black Sabbath, Split Ends, Osibisa, Fairport Convention and Average White Band, as part of the seventies band Butler. He was one of The Velvettes, sixties spoof rock band from Christchurch and has toured solo for more than twenty years as far afield as the UK, USA, and Europe. Steve captivates audiences in a way that very few can. His honesty, self – depreciating humour and excellent musicianship has audiences totally absorbed. He has released four albums over the many years of his career, the latest, This Wretched Man, in November 2011.
Ainsley is known for her performances with Steve but is herself a singer and songwriter. She recorded her first album, Autumn in 2001 and has just released a new album – Cappuccinos and Vanilla Squares. Our aim is to encourage and uplift. Our stories and songs tell of thirty years as musicians on the road, thirty years of marriage and all the triumphs and struggles we have met along the way.
Duets plays regularly in cafes, halls, churches, prisons, schools, and at house concerts, traveling anywhere we are invited. Depending on the requirements of the venue and of the audience we sing a variety of covers and a selection of our own music from six albums recorded over the last twenty five years.
The Bathtub Gin Orchestra is two parts 1920s stomp, one-part early 1930s swing, and just a dash of Gypsy Jazz. Pour contents into an iron bathtub and stir with a broom handle until drunk on the good vibes of the party music of the early 20th Century. This swinging sextet comprises Phoebe Haselden violin/vocals, Dorian Mode piano/vocals, Morgan Haselden guitar/vocals, Brendan Berlach clarinet, Fiona Lugg double Bass and Toby Hall on drums.
Taking influence from the sights and sounds of the dance halls and juke joints of the mid-century, the Jordan Thomas Trio are an exciting and dynamic alt country/roots rock and roll group that hail from Sydney, Australia. They feature Jordan Thomas (guitar/vocals), Shawn Supra on upright bass (Wayne Hancock, Eileen Jewel, Pat Capocci) and Rob Turner on drums (Deep Sea Arcade, OXBLVD, Casey Golden Trio).
Jordan and his band have amassed noteworthy list of achievements, playing with Chris Isaak, The Stray Cats, Tex Perkins, Robert Gordon, Royal Crown Revue (the band from hit movie The Mask), Imelda May, Lee Kernaghan, Pink Martini, Monica Trapaga, Steve Edmonds, the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, Mojo Juju, Deke Dickerson, Lee Rocker, Area 7 and the Louisville Sluggers.
Jordan and band have performed throughout Australia, Asia, Europe, the United States and even a number of tours to the Middle East with the support of the Australian government and United Nations.Their original approach to country and roots based rock and roll – combined with the blistering skills of these three amazing musicians blend together to make for an unforgettable, unmissable live show.
www.jordancthomas.com