Musicians guarantee fun, lively night

FOLK ROCKERS: Grafia band members Stephan Schulz (left), "Dr Rob" Maunsell and Keith Austin will form part of a folk rock entertainment show at the Tin Hut tavern in Tauherenikau from 7pm tonight. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Entertainment collective Grafia will spotlight poems, acoustic song covers and original compositions during a folk rock night at the Tin Hut in Tauherenikau tonight.

"Dr Rob" Maunsell, Grafia founder and member of the Grafia band, said Masterton singer-songwriter Mike Rigg and Auckland singer-songwriter and poet Callum Gentleman will respectively perform interpretations of classic folk rock tunes and original songs and poems ahead of a mostly original set from Grafia, featuring long-time Wairarapa musician Stefan Brown.

"Callum will present his soulful and arresting songs and poems, while Mike Rigg will bring his entrancing song interpretations and our set of songs will draw on the blues folk jazz influences. It'll be fun and lively."

Maunsell said the show starts at 7.30pm and the same players will present the show for the first time at Moon 11 in Newtown, Wellington, on Thursday, September 24.

Grafia was an acronym for Get Right Away From It All, Maunsell said, and the collective draws together musicians and artists, photographers, designers, videographers and film makers, writers and poets "who love to express themselves collectively".

Grafia has to date featured 15 performance artist contributors and the group this year laid down their first recording of original songs, he said.

"It's five years since we started playing songs together and organising performances and concerts. A lot of fun has been had and our ability to entertain and play music that is both listenable and exciting is now obvious," he said.

The core of the Grafia band includes Masterton musicians Keith Austin, musical director and keyboard, bass, and piano accordionist; Chanel College music teacher Stephan Schulz, playing violin and recorder, drummer John Jukes, and Maunsell, lead singer, rhythm guitarist and harmonica player.

"The core trio of Keith and Stephan and myself are currently working on a collection of original songs I wrote and the three of us arranged at our weekly practice sessions."

Veteran Masterton musician Kemp Turirirangi also plays lead guitar for Grafia.

The three-track recording was completed at Maunsell's Masterton home with contributions from fellow Masterton musicians Brown, Jordan Tredray and Lenny Te Whare.

The initial production was managed by Lorenzo Buhne and Benni Krueger, while it was Austin who mastered the demo EP, Maunsell said.