Legends of Kiwi folk better than ever

NAILING IT: From left to right, Hobnail is Jo Moir, Hamish Graham, Caroline Easther and Rob Joass. Photo/supplied

Te Puna Memorial Hall is the venue for another great concert, with Wellington folk rock band Hobnail performing there tomorrow night.

The folk rock band turns 21 this year, starting in the bars of Wellington then travelling not only throughout New Zealand, but also performing in Australia, North America and Europe.

They have been finalists in the New Zealand Music Awards for Best Folk Album and twice for Best Country Song. Festival favourites around the country, the band is known for its spellbinding shows.

The line-up includes Rob Joass, the award-winning songwriter and musician who formed the band with fiddler Jo Moir in the early days. Moir's sweet voice and mean fiddle give the band its celtic and country influences.

Joining the band a year later was multi-instrumentalist Hamish Graham, then drummer Caroline Easther joined a few years later.

She comes with a huge music pedigree, says Joass, touring and recording with The Chills, Bob Dylan and Joe Cocker.

'But she doesn't have a big ego, we work as a team - the total is greater than the sum of the parts," says Joass.

He says the secret to its longevity is that everyone has challenged themselves over the years and staleness has never been allowed to creep in.

The coming of age also means they are comfortable in their own skin. The band knows where it's been and also where it is going, says Joass.

Its latest album String Things is selling very well and the band is booked for festivals and shows throughout the country and also in Australia, he says.

the fine print
What: Hobnail
Where: Te Puna Hall
When: Friday, October 9, 7.15pm
Tickets: redruth@vodafone.co.nz Doors open 6.45pm $20pp