Two of the nation’s finest folk bands, specialising in fun, wit and soulful observations of the human condition – that old thing we call life – are bringing their musical talents to Howick.
Turkey the Bird, and ukulele legends The Nukes, are playing a special double-header concert at Uxbridge Arts and Culture in Howick on Friday, November 22, and they’re promising “more fun than you can poke a fiddle bow at!”
The Nukes, of Auckland, are a highly respected ukulele institution on the New Zealand music scene and have toured regularly over the past decade and a half entertaining audiences of all ages up and down this land, and they’ve played at Uxbridge before.
Turkey the Bird hail from New Plymouth and are touring to celebrate the release of their latest album – Men, Fish Boat – a superb collection of songs describing in optimistic tunes the realism and joy for life, love and adventures in New Zealand’s great outdoors.
On the new album, there’s a song that features both groups, These Birds.
Charismatic frontman for Turkey the Bird, Andre Manella, is a very busy Swiss-Kiwi musician and producer, involved in many projects in the thriving creative and entertainment sector of New Plymouth.
“It’ll be a show of finely folked-up fun,” Manella tells the Times.
“Expect great songs, harmonious melodies, singalongs, and plenty of laughs.
“If you love your music on the acoustic side with a tinge of Kiwiana and humour, this is a night you won’t want to miss.”
Completing the multi-instrumentalist bearded trio Turkey the Bird with Manella, originally of Switzerland, are Adrian Whelan of Ireland, and Sol Bear Coulton – the Kiwi.
For more than 15 years, The Nukes, describing themselves as “musical miscreants”, have produced earthly harmonies and storytelling to inspire people with laughter across Australasia.
“There’s something for everyone in The Nukes experience,” says founder member, Dave Parker.
“The ukulele is nothing to be afraid of, so if you hear The Nukes are in town, don’t duck and cover or try to be a hero, just grab a friend and head for ground zero.”
The Nukes formed in 2008, with the original line-up being C, Dave “Snapper” Thiele, and Parker.
They’ve produced four excellent heartland music albums, and Parker says there’s “perhaps more to come”.
“Snapper retired from the band in 2019 but we’ve been doing some reunion gigs in recent times.
“Ben and I perform as a three-piece with Josh Parker, my son, who joined in February 2022 – post-Covid.”
The Nukes have had the pleasure to play the big stages of Womad NZ, Splore, Auckland and Canterbury Folk Festivals, New Plymouth Festival of Light, Wanaka Festival Of Colour, Coastella Festival, Southland Festival Of Arts, Bluff Oyster Festival, and in 2017, they had a very successful nationwide Arts On Tour NZ. They’ve also toured extensively in Australia.
Manella says Turkey the Bird will “remind you of the famous Margarita cocktail infused with a hint of Simon and Garfunkel, two ounces of Mumford and Sons, a splash of banjo, and served on ice on a sunny day”.
Turkey the Bird and The Nukes deliver their unique blend of folk musical magic on the stage at Uxbridge Arts and Culture on Friday, November 22: https://uxbridge.org.nz/theatre/
