Two of the songbirds flying in for the Tauranga Arts Festival come trailing clouds of glory. Tami Neilson's album Don't be Afraid was released late last month to reviews such as, "It'll have tears pricking your eyes, bring goosebumps to your neck, and make you want to holler along in solidarityand hope" (New Zealand Herald).
As a child, Canadian-born Neilson, who has lived in New Zealand for 10 years, sang and toured with the Neilson Family Band, opening for the likes of Johnny Cash. She has won Tui Awards for her past four albums and last year's Silver Scroll for Walk (Back to your Arms).
Both Neilson, who has a distinctive 1950s style, and fellow festival performer Mel Parsons have their music featured on the soundtrack of the new series of home-grown The Brokenwood Mysteries (Sundays, Prime).
Parsons has been the only New Zealand artist in the past two years to showcase at Folk Alliance International in the United States, and recently toured Australia, Britain, Ireland, Canada and Germany.
the fine print What: Tami Neilson and Mel Parsons perform Where: Both at the Pacific Crystal Palace (Masonic Park) When: Tami Neilson, Monday, October 26 at 3pm; Mel Parsons on Wednesday, October 28 at 8.30pm. Tickets: From Baycourt or ticketek.co.nz
