Bay Of Plenty based Swamp Thing are embarking on further shows about the North Island in the coming few weeks .They will be returning from a brief touring visit to Australia which has included a handful of shows, among them some high profile performances at the Mullumbimby Music Festival Nov 21-24 Northern New South Wales http://www.mullummusicfestival.com/. A feature of these shows will be the Friday Nov 22nd headline slot that will have GOTYE ( Wally de Baker ) guesting with the lads .
A brief yet highly lauded three minute cameo on a recent heat of TV1’S NZ Got Talent Oct 13th has led to a huge spike in interest and enquiry for the duo over the last few weeks – the actual youtube clip from the show sits at around 4000 views as at the beginning of November and the facebook page has seen a 50% increase in followers now well over 6000 …people want to know about these lads and unlike most on that show they have a history and depth to satisfy that initial enquiry .
Since forming in 2010 this power swamp stompin roots duo delivers and shares a wealth of experience to craft a primal blues flavoured music with a deep groove and soulful spook.
They're the two left in the juke joint when the hurricane's about to make landfall, when the revellers have gone home, sweat-soaked and exhausted. The bulbs are blown out, the floor's full of glass, but two men are honour bound to keep playing, pouring their sweat into the parched earth like libation. In the best traditions of two man blues and roots, Swamp Thing is a duo that you know are playing to stay alive.
Swamp Thing will be featuring and promoting their recently released second album ‘Primordium’ on these coming early Summer North Island shows in recognition that they are themselves growing and spreading their sound and selves right across the country building to bigger and better things .
Over the early Summer months of 2013 the duo have played a number of Australian festivals and shows including WOMADelaide, Woodford Folk Festival, Blues at Bridgetown and Nannup…. Now’s the chance for these North Island places to sample the sight n sounds , they come highly recommended don’t miss it.
I first saw Michael Barker about 15 years ago with Neil Finn when Neil’s first solo album Try Whistling This was released. Michael went on to be part of the John Butler Trio and the touring drummer for Split Enz. The other half of this special duo is Grant Haua. I have to be honest and say here that Grant has been off my radar for all of these years…but that’s been my loss. Grant’s contribution to the band is very impressive. His gruff swampy vocals and guitar licks gives one the impression that this guys from the deep south of the States and not little ol’ Rotorua. The musical grooves of Swamp Thing had me under their spell from the very first song.The chemistry here between these two musicians is perfect. They make the perfect gumbo with their deep rootsy blues and superb playing.
Michael Flynn 13th floor website review October 18th 2103 Titirangi Festival Show
http://13thfloor.co.nz/2013/10/20/swamp-thing-titirangi-music-festival-concert-review/
For tickets and show details contact the venues and eventfinda , check all web based gig guides and the band facebook page .
