Billy TK (Te Kahika) Senior and Katie Soljak have been in the studio recording some new material and are taking it on tour with a full band.
This is big news for blues lovers, as they can catch two of NZ’s top blues veterans on the same night in Wellington, plus hear the debut of their new collaboration - “Trying not to think too hard” - at ‘The Fringe bar’ on Wednesday 11th February, before they head off on a three week South Island tour.
Needing little introduction, Billy TK is an international Peace Ambassador and has long been touted as the Jimi Hendrix of the South Pacific, Jimi’s ‘Are you Experienced’ album being a major influence in his ‘face-melting’ guitar work.
Billy TK has played in a number of different bands since the 60’s, including
“Billy TK’s Powerhouse” during which he performed with bands such as Black Sabbath, Split Enz, John Mayall, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, UB40, Joe Satriani and the Neville Brothers.
Billy TK Career overview. – a short film about his career (4:01 mins).
Katie Soljak returned to LA last year for a reunion gig with her US band (“The Katie Soljak Band”) to celebrate the long overdue release of ‘Sex for Sale’ recorded in 1993, just released in 2013.
Katy’s ‘sound’ is described as 'a smoky blend of Melissa Etheridge and Bessie Smith', though undoubtedly with an element of Maryanne Faithfull. Katy Soljak combines 'blues- folk- jazz- poetry-truth', in a style that reflects her life as a woman in the world with songs that strike a chord with new and old Bohemians.
She has worked with musicians like Steven Hodges (Tom Waits) and Paul Barrere from Little Feat. She sang back ups for Jack Brewer Band (Saccharine Trust SST) and recorded on Harsh World SST. Her own band KATY SOLJAK regularly played the clubs on Sunset Boulevard, art galleries and cafes in Los Angeles and Long Beach, California.
The new track ‘Trying not to think too hard’ will be released on Billy’s upcoming album due later this year along with another Katy Soljak collaboration “Sweet Caged Bird” recorded in 2009.
“Sweet Caged Bird” – Katy Soljak & Billy TK Senior, 2009 (4:36 min)
Billy and Katy will play a number of sets through the night, starting with Katy Soljak, followed by classics from artists like Garry Moore and Santana. Finally Billy TK Senior will bring it home as only he knows how.
BILLY TK, KATY SOLJAK AND BAND – Wednesday 11th February – The Fringe Bar, 26-32 Allen Street, Wellington.
Limited capacity of 150 – doors open at 6.30pm – Katy & Billy on stage at 7.30pm.
