Mel Parsons & The Rhythm Kings
About Mel Parsons & The Rhythm Kings from Auckland
Originally hailing from the West Coast
of New Zealand’s South Island, Mel Parsons is a singer songwriter whose songs speak for themselves.
Mel is a university music graduate, finishing her studies
in Auckland in 2004 and for a number of years she has
been organising shows and performing live, mostly in
the Auckland region but also in Western Canada.
A country kid at heart and ever the optimist, Parsons
could never claim to lead a boring life.... Her addiction
to snow-sports means winters are spent in cold places
ski instructing, drinking, writing music and generally
avoiding ‘proper’ jobs. One of her most recent
escapades is learning to shear sheep. (With a personal
best of 21 sheep in one day, Hororata based uncle
Roger is optimistic she has a bright future in the wool
industry)
The Rhythm Kings are drummer and multi-instrumentalist Shaun Elley, double bass player Aaron Stewart and keys man-of-the-moment Ed Zuccollo. Parsons’ sound is defined by mellow, intimate vocals and melodic hooks that swim around in your head well after the track has ended. Long time collaborator Shaun Elley brings sibling-like harmonies to the mix, and together, Parsons and Elley have an intuitive musical chemistry that draws in audiences for a spine-tingling experience.
Sami Sisters’ middle child Anji, recently voted by Sunday Magazine as one of the ‘19 sexiest people in the country’ joins the crew from time to time along with other musical guests.