This promises to be a very special night of music, in a homely downtown hall. Swingbridge is delighted to be back together with album mates and local musical legends, drummer Chris O’Connor and Eamon Edmundson-Wells double-bassist. Swingbridge, the musical vehicle of Otago songsmith Bridget Ellis is touring the North Island this autumn in support of latest album release, The Garden.
Swingbridge songs, at once personal and universal, journey through intricate folk to spacious jazz, from punchy rock to uncharted country, delivered home with incidental fun. To warm the evening Chris O'Connor will be sharing some songs of Ivor Cutler - artist and humourist.
Ellis discovered her affinity with songwriting as a teenager in the vibrant musical world of 1980’s Dunedin. The power of song to interpret and share the human experience became her touch stone, the impetus and hope for earth-centred social change an enduring muse. A self taught guitarist, Ellis has developed her unique musical style, experimenting with guitar tunings, sounding chords by ear and the rhythm of reflex. This and her authentic lyricism has assured many of these songs an enduring place in her life spanning songbook.
Swingbridge’s 2021’s release The Garden is Ellis’s most ambitious recording project yet. The seeds of the album were sown through Ellis’s collaboration with singer/celtic harpist Lynley Caldwell and later recorded at Roundhead Studio, Auckland and Sublime Studio in the Waitaki Valley. The album was co-produced by Ellis alongside engineer Jordan Stone, and features Ellis and Caldwell along with drummer Chris O’Connor, double bassists Eamon Edmundson-Wells and Steve Harrop, with guest singer Steve Abel.
Response to The Garden:
'Ellis is a writer in her prime, and the album is a testament to her talent as a singer-songwriter and instrumentalist.' (Amanda Mills, reviewer for NZ Musician)
'
...songs varied and alive; and the album an ecosystem of feeling and meaning.'
(Eddie Robinson, Oh-Oamaru)
Listen to The Garden on Bandcamp
https://swingbridge.bandcamp.com/album/the-garden
Door Sales $20/15
N.B. This is an alcohol free event - please only bring non-alcoholic drinks. Doors open 7.30pm and there will be complimentary cuppa teas and cake provided at half time : )
