What better way for New Zealand's beloved soul-folk troubadour to release his new Traveller EP than with a tour of the country by train. November 14 sounds the horn, the first show at Grey Lynn's Freida Margolis wine bar with the amazing Nikita Tu-Bryant.
Recorded with Lee Prebble at Wellington's Surgery Studios, 'Traveller' reflects 6 years of craft, curiosity and experiences as a full time musician with no fixed abode. Monty digs out and distills themes of tenderness, personal revolution and adventure, with a warm rich voice over articulate guitar grooves. Each song is woven with the stories of people he's met along the way...
'Hard Ship', for instance, was written after an honest discussion in a taxi ride home with a Cambodian driver and his harrowing Khmer Rouge experience; 'Lovers Again' after calling in for a cuppa with the empty nest parents from Arthur's Pass preparing to move out of the family home, south to a smaller place. Fittingly, 'Country Slow' was written after a train ride out of bustling Melbourne into the quiet rural town of Kyneton - I remember strolling past shop windows and stopping for yarns with slow talking people in the street who had time to ask how your day was going, Monty Bevins.
For Bevins, touring goes beyond just musical involvement, without that one fixed community to head back to, it's a way of life, deeply personal at a speed that allows for encounter, listening in to the detail. Monty has built a loyal following throughout his homeland where he's known as a touching, spirited performer, with songs that ask the big questions while telling the small stories. Catch him at one of eight shows starting in Auckland on November 14, southbound on this 'Traveller EP Launch' service, final destination Christchurch - November 30.
Traveller EP Release Tour By Train:
Wed Nov 14 - Auckland - Freida Margolis
Sat Nov 17 - National Park - Schnapps Bar
† Tue Nov 20 - Palmerston North - Globe Theatre
* Wed Nov 21 - Paekakariki - St Peters Village Hall
* Fri Nov 23 - Wellington - Third Eye
w/ Matt Mulholland & Al Fraser
Sat Nov 24 - Greymouth - Ferrari's Lounge Bar
* Sun Nov 25 - Arthur's Pass Community Centre
* Fri Nov 30 - Christchurch - Lyttelton Records
w/ Amiria Grenell
* presales available from utr.co.nz
† presales available from globetheatre.co.nz or Globe Theatre box office
For more, including videos and show times, head to www.montybevins.com
Listen to the Traveller EP at www.montybevins.bandcamp.com
There's a reason why people keep coming back again and again to see Monty perform; he’s an authentic musician with bloody good songs. James Kenyon (AUS)
I was pleasantly surprised with his obviously honed and crafted live performance, as he effortlessly intertwined elements of folk, roots and soul together.” Poppy Tohill, 13th floor.co.nz
