UK / Kenyan songwriter Mara Simpson went to four other continents before appearing, on a whim, in Wellington. The last thing on her mind was to stay for long. However, a little over a year later, she has a band of Wellington all-stars playing her songs, a single & music videos, gigs, tours and a sell-out three date showcase at Bats Theatre under her belt not to mention an album in stores.
Mara & the Bushkas released their first album “Live at Bats” on Oct 20th 2011. The album, recorded live at the famous BATS theatre, Wellington and mix & mastered by Dan Goudie in London, marked its release at San Francisco Bath House with a host of guest musicians who featured on the album itself. Having compiled a set of songs since travelling around the world, it seemed apt that Simpson did a re-run in the post production of the album- taking back to the very start of her travels, London. Now the band is on the road taking their unique sound across Aotearoa.
Mara & the Bushkas are:
Mara Simpson – Vox – Guitar
Jean Pompey – Drums – Vox
(Olmecha Supreme)
Rio Hemopo – Bass
(Trinity Roots, Fat Freddys Drop)
Ed Zuccollo – Rhodes, Hammond
(Harbour City Electric, Eru Dangerspiel)
Nikita Tu-Bryant – Vox
(Nikita & The Spooky, The Pyramid Scheme)
