AART SMITH Okarito press release
Okarito is the place to be on New Year’s Day if you want to hear some live, locally inspired Kiwi music. Donovan’s Hall is set to rock with the evocative sounds of Dunedin singer/songwriter Neville Stewart from Aart Smith. With songs from his first album Tall Stories, created under the guiding hand of friend, producer and arranger, Mi-Sex's Murray Burns, and tracks from his new album, to be released in the first half of 2023.
To be in Okarito is about as authentic as it gets for Neville.
I like to think I write from the heart and soul, and express life and the environment which has meant so much to me.
It’s funny how there are always connections that draw you to a place. My son first suggested I go to Okarito when he was driving a small adventure tour guide bus. He said you will love this place. What he didn’t know was my then flatmate’s brother Richard Saunders lived in Okarito and at the time was running the White Heron Lagoon tourist operation there. I’ve had three adventures in Okarito now; the first in October 2012 and then later in 2017 with a new friend, this adventure became part of the song; “Anticipating You”. When we were there, we saw Mel Parsons at Donovan’s. In February this year I visited and got caught in the flooding which saw a three-night stay turn into a nine day vigil with roads blocked between Franz Joseph and Fox Glacier.
I’m starting to know the locals, including the paradise ducks that sleep in the middle of the road and the white herons that visited town in the middle of the flood. On the last night of my stay I saw another fantastic Lyttleton based band Mundi.
Now it is my turn to take my music to this magic spot, Okarito.
Aart Smith’s music is an evocative platform for Stewart's personal insights into life in Aotearoa, a sort of Kiwiana alternative to Americana.
If you want to start the New Year listening to some sweet sounds that include some of the spirit of Okarito in it’s lyrics, head on down to Donovan’s Hall on the first night of 2023. Doors open at 7PM. There is a $10 cover for what promises to be an awesome night.
