New dynamic for musical trio Confetti

No two ConFusion performance's from Dana Parkhill, (left), Dave O'Hanlon, Paula Sugden, Matiu Whiting, and Emily Cargill are the same.

As if touring New Zealand, being contract players for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and juggling family life was not enough - the Confetti musical trio have added another notch to their belt.

Over the past several years Confetti - a trio of working Hawke's Bay mums - found speedy success with their unique arrangement of two flutes and a cello, wide music repertoire, and tight-knit friendship.

Now Hawke's Bay natives Paula Sugden and Dana Parkhill, and Englishwoman Emily Cargill are changing things up with their new five-person group ConFusion - with Dave O'Hanlon on percussion and Matiu Whiting on double bass/bass guitar.

Mr O'Hanlon is a drum major of the Hastings Pipe Band, while multi-instrumental Mr Whiting is a tutor at EIT. Like the members of Confetti, both men are classically trained.

What started as a "little bit of fun" when they started working togther six months ago has developed into a dynamic "rock band, a jazz quintet and a cool covers collective".

As the five knew each other through the Hawke's Bay music scene, cello player Paula said playing together was something they had talked about for awhile.

Performing with the two men - who were both "phenomenal musicains" - had created a new dynamic for the instrumental collective.

This meant while each set was carefully arranged, every performance was different.

"They've brought a lot of new ideas to the music," she said. "They'll say 'why don't we put this into 1950s rock style or a hip hop style, or do both and switch it up half way through'.

"No two performances are the same."

The trio, and the men were learning things from each other - Mr Whiting said he and Mr O'Hanlon got to "flex their classical muscle," while Confetti were getting better at improvising.

The trio were beginning to show more individual personality in their playing, he said. While those who appreciated music would surely pick up on this, "even if you're not, it adds a joyful energy people pick up on and enjoy."

Following performances at local venues, the group are now looking forward to a concert at Church Road Winery, which will "bring together the virtuosity and expressiveness of Confetti with a second half that bursts out of the sound system".

"Leave your expectations at the door," Paula said.

"It's a different take. People will be suprised, but will still enjoy it."

With several shows already under ConFusion's belt, Paula said as well as their mix of music genres - from folk to classical - audiences also enjoyed how much fun the group had on stage.

"These two boys just have a ball," she said.

Although ConFusion rehersals and performances are keeping the three mums busy, Confetti is still providing music for Hawke's Bay functions and events.

"We never want to be static, we want to be open to new ideas and new sounds," she said. "This isn't the end for Confetti, we're just completely open to enjoying wherever the path take us."

- Don't miss your chance to enjoy the ConFusion concert, held Friday November 25, 6.30PM at Church Rd Winery. Tickets are $25 from eventfinda.co.nz.