US exposure inspires shift in duo's sound

Vanessa McGowan and Cy Winstanley won a New Zealand Music Award last year.

It's a case of new year, new sound for award-winning folk duo Tattletale Saints.

Guitarist/vocalist Cy Winstanley and double bassist/vocalist Vanessa McGowan were on a high after winning a New Zealand Music Award for Folk Album of the Year, 2014.

Fresh off the back of that success they packed up and relocated to Nashville, Tennessee to expand themselves musically.

"We live on the road now, we are trying to spend a little bit more time in Nashville but touring in America you are on the road every day," Winstanley says. "For us now a five- to seven-hour drive is normal."

Plunging themselves into the heart of Nashville's vibrant music scene inspired a change in sound, hence the addition of celebrated Kiwi drummer Tom Broome for their fifth New Zealand tour.

A performance at The Cabana next Wednesday will include songs performed as a duo, re-imagined versions of tunes with drum beat backing, and new material off a forthcoming full band album, expected for release mid-year.

"There will be a lot of music from previous tours and some from the new direction of the band, we have been sculpting it for a while. Before we left New Zealand we were playing in a group with Tom [Broome] and a trumpeter, so the seed was sown then."

They have already completed two songs for the recording with more in the pipeline; fans can expect what they know and love with a fresh twist.

It would be nigh on impossible not to soak up your surroundings and the main change lies in the influences surrounding Winstanley's newest songs.

"Nashville is a real storytellers' town. They say it's the songwriting capital ... my new work is really into that storytelling thing, I really like all my songs heading in the same direction. I have been more aware of not using offhand references that don't point to the final picture."

The folk genre continues to push boundaries and grow a loyal following in New Zealand, and the likes of Tattletale Saints are at the forefront of this movement.

A masterful blend of Americana fused with jazz, soul and pop has also seen the duo nominated as finalists in the 2013 APRA Silver Scroll Awards.

Coming home, they were enjoying summer weather, swimming at the beaches and Kiwi coffee.

-The Tattletale Saints perform at The Cabana in Napier next Wednesday from 8pm. Tickets available through Eventfinder.