Brenda & The Boys @ Botticelli
Steve Cournane - percussion
Brenda Liddiard - mandolin & vocal
Mark Laurent - guitar & vocal
For thirty-plus years Mark and Brenda have been performing together, part of the secret army of ‘indie’ musicians who fly just below the commercial radar, playing grass-roots, mostly un-plugged music throughout New Zealand, Australia and the UK.
Mark Laurent play’s the blues like his life depends on it! His guitar is just about as expressive as his vocals and confirms the guitar hero status that he earned several decades ago when his professional music career kicked off in the 1970’s.
Brenda Liddiard has a voice born of true folk, protest and alt country sentiments. Brenda has been greatly influenced by English and American acoustic music and found her niche as a songwriter when she got involved in environmental and anti-nuclear issues in the 70’s and 80’s.
Steve Cournane is one of NZ's finest percussionists - some of you may know him from his work with Wellington jazz-fusion exponents CLBob, but he's also highly respected as a session musician and composer. Steve & Mark are two thirds of Magic Suburb Band, and also play together in other units.
Steve, Brenda & Mark present an eclectic mix of originals and tastedfully re-imagined covers that can be ‘pin drop’ delicate, or sound like a full band!
Admission is free, and Botticelli's menu is great.
“Mark and Brenda are astute and seasoned performers. They are very well known on the acoustic music scene and between them have recorded. or contributed to, over 30 albums. It is very cool that we can host musicians of this calibre.”
Mark Raffills, poet, MC, Live @ Little & Local
Mark's brilliance on guitar is matched by Brenda's instinctive mandolin. Their songs echo issues which touch the lives of us all – and are sung from the heart. No-one should miss this!”
Roger Giles, The Bunker, Devonport
“This fantastic duo never ceases to amaze me with the diversity of their songs, musicianship and poetry … sublime guitar and mandolin textures and soulful harmonies.”
Mike Moroney, Dunedin Folk Club
“The highlight of the entire evening took place when Mark launched into some blues during which he played blistering, brilliant acoustic guitar licks, while voice-mimicking lead guitar sounds note for note, nuance for nuance in a masterful display of technique and taste that stands as one of our clubs most memorable performances to this day. He almost brought the house down.”
Brendan Hanley, Byron Vista Social Club, Byron Bay, NSW
