Summertime in Alaska

LOOKING FOR THE DOME: Made up of Stephen Daniel (left), Amy Maynard and Aaron Gott, pop-folk trio Looking for Alaska are expected to find their way to Maynard’s home town to perform at the Dome Room next week. Picture supplied

When pop-folk duo Looking For Alaska last performed in Gisborne, the act was made up of Aaron Gott and former Gisborne Girls’ High School student Amy Maynard. Maynard described their debut album as “kind of like Mumford and Sons meets Of Monsters And Men”.

Having previously opened for Fly My Pretties, Herbs, and Tiny Ruins, Gott and Maynard met bass player Stephen Daniel three years ago at the Canterbury Folk Festival. The trio have since developed a collection of original material from foot-stomping folk sing-alongs to melancholic ballads with a signature sound of country-style guitar and soaring harmonies.

Recorded in 2016, their self-titled album was a finalist for the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Album Award at last year’s Taite Music Prize. This year, the band has released its new single Calling Out.

Looking For Alaska’s gig at the Dome Room will include songs from their debut album and songs from their new album which is due for release later this year.

“Up to this point, we’ve written fairly straightforward love songs,” says Gott.

Calling Out is about two people who are in love but are struggling.

“There are things they love and hate in each other but the chorus is about letting go of all that and recognising they’re still there for each other.”

Listen to Looking For Alaska’s new single, Calling Out, on Spotify at www.tinyurl.com/ycq4ld4

Looking For Alaska, The Dome Room, Friday, April 27. Presales $15 from Aviary or http://www.eventfinda.co.nz Tickets are $20 on the door.

Looking For Alaska. The Dome Room, April 27. Presales $15 from Aviary or eventfinda, $20 on the door.