Hobnail looking forward to playing in Whanganui's Lucky Bar

Hobnail are Rob Joass, Jo Moir, Caroline Easther and Hamish Graham. Photo / Dave Lintott

Whanganui has a special place in the heart of Hobnail guitarist Rob Joass and he looks forward to playing in the river city next Friday.

"I saw the millennium in there when we played in Majestic Square. It was a great gig and we had a big crowd there too."

It was also the Australian-born musician's first gig in New Zealand and left him with a lasting fondness for Whanganui where he has played many times since.

The band which consists of Joass on vocals, guitar and mandola, Jo Moir on violin and vocals, Caroline Easther on drums and vocals and Hamish Graham on bass and vocals has an impressive pedigree in New Zealand music.

Joass and Moir began playing together 23 years ago as Hobnail Boots and Easther has played drums with Dunedin bands The Chills and The Verlaines as well as Warratahs frontman Barry Saunders.

Graham is classically trained and, according to Joass, he can play "anything and everything".

Last year Hobnail recorded Blue Sky Songs which is their seventh album with songs that are "a fine distillation of life's lessons, well learned".

The band members live in Wellington, Foxton and Otaki and tour together often.

ANelson Mail reviewer described Hobnail's performance as "an illustrious blend of bluegrass, Celtic folk, pop, and rock'n'roll".

Joass said recent weather patterns have made touring difficult which is another reason why the band is looking forward to playing in Whanganui.

"We should be able to get there no matter the weather," he says.

Hobnail play at Lucky Bar + Kitchen, 53 Wilson St on Friday, May 11, at 9pm. Tickets are $20 through eventfinda.co.nz. Door sales available. Find out more at www.hobnail.co.nz