Chance meeting led to band formation

Bruce Rolands (left), Angela Jalava, Brian Franks and Tara Watson perform as Black Velvet this weekend. Photo/Lydia Watson Photography

If it weren't for a school gala day, Tauranga band Black Velvet wouldn't have formed.

The band got together as a one-off favour to a local school that needed some live entertainment for the day, and the ad hoc fusion of styles had punters asking for more.

Two Brilleaux band members got together with drummer, Angela Jalava and English singer Tara Watson to put on a show, and "the next thing we know, people are coming up to us asking for business cards and wanting to know where we were playing next," says Jalava.

One thing led to another and the group realised its fusion of blues, funk, and rock, with unexpected cover interpretations, was what audiences wanted.

This year is proving to be one of renewed focus for the band, and this weekend's Drivers Bar gig is in response to people wanting to hear more out of them. Not surprisingly, tickets have been snapped up.

A summer festival tour by Bruce Rolands and Brian Franks touring with Brilleaux, and Jalava as the back-up drummer, opened their eyes to Black Velvet's possibilities and where the band should be heading.

"The tour of England really inspired us to work on Black Velvet, get ourselves out there more, become involved in more New Zealand festivals, and work on our own music," says Jalava.

The band is working on its own material and recording is definitely in the mix, she says.

the fine print
What: Black Velvet
Where: Drivers Bar
When: August 29
Tickets: Drivers Bar, $15