Band from Rotorua heading abroad

GOING INTERNATIONAL: Strangely Arousing. PHOTO/FILE

Rotorua band Strangely Arousing is taking its high-energy performances overseas, with gigs in Dubai and Prague lined up.

Trombonist and backing vocalist Liam Rolfe said the five-piece band was looking forward to the trip, which will include gigs in Dubai and Prague at annual black-tie events for Kiwi and Australian expats in November.

"It's a great opportunity. None of us have been to Prague before. We are going to try [to] organise more gigs while we are over there. We will be there for at least 12 days. The trip started with being invited to play Dubai.

"It will be an awesome experience. Playing to a new sort of crowd makes me excited."

The group's manager, Grant Hislop, has been organising acts for the Kiwi Ball in Dubai for nine years, taking bands like Op Shop there to perform.

He said the gigs gave the band a great opportunity to gain more traction.

"The cool thing was we put forward a bunch of options but just on the eight acts, they choose them over the other options.

"It is quite a good opportunity to get some air play and opportunities from the Kiwi Ball.

"They've worked really, really hard and people are starting to notice. It is a great opportunity to explore other shows as well."

The band recently moved to Raglan from studying in Auckland to focus on music, Mr Rolfe said. "We are still gigging every weekend pretty much. To keep growing as a band we have to dedicate our time to it."

Strangely Arousing recently spent time in Roundhead Studios, owned by Neil Finn, recording a cover of UB40's Food For Thought as well as recording an original song.