My Baby set to cast a spell

Daniel Dafreez and Joost and Cato van Dyke are fast gaining a solid overseas reputation.

Fall under the spell of Netherlands-based act My Baby Loves Voodoo during a one-off show in Napier tomorrow.

The group comprises New Zealander Daniel Dafreez and Dutch siblings Joost and Cato van Dyke.

Since being discovered in 2012 by funk legend Larry Graham of Sly and the family Stone fame, the three-piece have toured Europe bringing their delta trance live show to a fast-growing international fanbase.

They ventured to New Zealand last year after the release of their critically acclaimed debut album My Baby Loves Voodoo before continuing to Australia and the United States supporting international artists such as Seasick Steve.

The Kiwi welcome was a positive one and they really "connected" with local audiences, something which sees them return this summer for 28 dates.

Their success was partly attributable to the fact that they are very versatile, switching their sound to suit new crowds and venues.

"We change our style from indie funk, to delta trance which we use more for festivals but may not work in a small cafe setting," guitarist Dafreez told VIBE.

Born from a shared love of blues and funk, their sound harks back to the Depression era. "We decided to form our own sort of language at the same time we were trying to take a modern approach, we tried to make it timeless like the 30s but bringing in the 70s."

After spending his formative years busking and fruitpicking throughout the South Island, Amsterdam-born and New Zealand-raised Dafreez was keen to return to his roots after a 10-year spell of music in Europe.

The Hawke's Bay performance comes just ahead of the band's second overseas album release tour.

- My Baby perform tomorrow at The Cabana in Napier from 8pm. Tickets $15 at the door.