Back to their Roots

Bassist Rio Hemopo says re-forming Trinity Roots was "like getting back on a bike".

Seminal Kiwi three-piece Trinity Roots are getting back on the road, less than a year after a nationwide tour to support their latest album.

After 2015's Citizen - the band's first studio album in more than 10 years - and a winding, 15-date tour, Trinity Roots are set to play three shows this month before setting off on a five-date tour of Australia.

Trinity Roots tick a range of genre boxes, fusing them into an organic, soulful product that feels as homegrown as any Kiwi artist.

Noticeable influences from reggae, soul and Aotearoa roots sit on top of bass-heavy, pyschedelic rock undertones.

Vocalist Warren Maxwell's allegorical poetry winds its way through the tracks, offering vulnerable and often political musings.

Speaking from his now-hometown of Rotorua, bassist Rio Hemopo says Citizen "still has a few more legs in it", despite last year's almost sold-out, Leigh-to-Invercargill tour.

"We've been meaning to release another single off the album for a while. We were kind of debating which track to release next, and we finally decided on This Road. We've got a pretty cool concept for the video, and it all kind of tied in and gave us another chance to get around the country."

Along with his co-founder, vocalist and guitarist Warren Maxwell, Hemopo has seen some personnel changes to his rhythm section partner.

Founding drummer Rikki Gooch left to commit more time to solo project Eru Dangerspiel, while Jean Pompey was on the drummer's stool for a year before Ben Wood took over percussion duties.

Hemopo says Wood - himself a hugely experienced musician - has slid into Trinity Roots smoothly, and his experience behind the drums gives the band room to stretch and mould their creations live.

"Playing live is probably where we all feel most comfortable. We all have a jazz background, so that allows us quite a bit of freedom. It's getting into that auto-pilot, instinctive [zone] - kind of like the backline of a good rugby team, when you're all just firing."

Trinity Roots' first two albums, True and Home, Land and Sea, sold more than 15,000 copies each and are certified platinum. After the band broke up in 2005, the members continued to make music and tour with their own solo projects and with other bands.

Hemopo, who has played with Fat Freddy's Drop and Breaks Co-Op, says starting to make music again with Trinity Roots "felt like a natural thing to do".

"It was like getting back on a bike."

Hemopo says the band fleshed out some new tracks and took them for a road test - or rather, an acid test - with some long overdue live shows.

"We refined these tracks on the road and then really nailed it when we got in the studio."

What resulted was Citizen, recorded over 18 months at Wellington's The Surgery, handled by producer Lee Prebble.

Tour dates:

- June 9: Tuning Fork, Auckland
- June 10: The Ferry Ale House, Christchurch
- June 11: San Fran, Wellington