Jane Siberry in NZ

Canadian singer/songwriter Jane Siberry is playing a series of shows in Wellington this week. They are sold out - but there are still tickets to see her in Paekakariki on Tuesday, February 9. Or at Artworks Community Theatre, Waiheke Island, on Friday, February 12, and Saturday, February 13.

Siberry begins a series of shows at a private historic house in Melrose, Wellington, this evening. Each night a different local act will support her (Dan Adams, Rosy Tin Teacaddy, Milkthistle, Charlotte Yates).

It was $35 to pre-book one of 25 spots for each show. There are limited spaces for children, teenagers and elders - free entry in exchange for a poem for Jane to enjoy later; seating will be on the floor for the youngsters...

Siberry explains that the draw, for her, for these Salon Concerts is that she "gets to go where there is enthusiasm and there is no cost to anyone except my travel". Siberry marks up the "realness off this style", saying she is "finding this very door-opening and un-limiting"; she has recently finished an American tour ("normal clubs") so is finding this different and rewarding.

"I love New Zealand and so I was very happy to come here. In responding to fans who keep asking me to tour here I have found I am circumventing the normal club/concert hall circuit which normally just brings people in through promoters or record companies."

Siberry, known for songs such as Calling All Angels and Mimi on the Beach, runs her own independent label. She says "credibility is in the eyes of the beholder", when asked about the differences between major labels and creating your own work on your own imprint. "Finding the right way to contribute what you think is your best is the goal. Sure, I'd sign with a major label if I felt right. Most major labels still feel very old fashioned and wheezy."

She marks up the experience of working this way, creating smaller shows and marketing them directly to the dedicated audience, promoting her new work at the shows, as being "more direct". There will be "some older songs - but mostly newer material". The focus of the shows is about giving material to an audience sitting close - and receiving the direct ("real") response from them.

Siberry says of this performance style: "It's very intimate - for both me and the audience - people say it is intense and they are not sure what happens in the 90 minutes. They seem to laugh a lot and feel good afterwards."

She is pleased to be in New Zealand for our Waitangi Day: "Things are so interesting here. Manners are better; the Maori 'look' is so specific to here." She says she has been "watching and listening". And applauds the "two independent films I've seen here - very impressed" (Taika Waititi's Eagle vs. Shark and James Napier Robertson's I'm Not Harry Jenson).

Jane Siberry will be selling her latest CDs at the concerts.

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Simon Sweetman   #1   05:00 pm Feb 02 2010

Sorry, here's a more detailed info link that just came to hand: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=279294373598&ref=mf

Helen   #2   05:18 pm Feb 02 2010

Hiya Simon

Your link is to the Wellington salon gigs. Paekakariki gig details at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=279294373598&ref=mf Tickets are available from iticket and the Paekakariki Fruit and Veg Shop.$25. Please note that free entry does not apply to the Paekak gig if it's sold out. Cheers Helen

Cheers

tomatohead   #3   05:26 pm Feb 02 2010

I salute the folks who are opening their homes and getting participants along to the salons. I'm glad to see that the seats went quickly.

Blair   #4   08:09 pm Feb 02 2010

Good guy, i thought she did other things too ala band as not sure my cuppa? anyway, b cool at an historic place in melrose, mean even, even worthy to stand outside, anyway, danke.

Robert   #5   12:23 am Feb 03 2010

Cheers Simon - had a great first salon tonight, everyone came away from the experience buzzing! We've actually added another salon on Sunday, but had enough enquiries today that it's full as well now. Everyone should definitely drive up to Paekakariki and see Jane there if they can, or elsewhere in the North Island if that's closer to them.

Her full tour schedule is at http://janesiberry.com/Jane_Siberry/tour.html (scroll down the page for individual show details), and includes: Tuesday February 02 - Sunday February 07 MELROSE WELLINGTON AREA (SOLD OUT) Tuesday, February 09 - PAEKAKARIKI Thursday, February 11 - TAUPO Friday, February 12 - WAIHEKE ISLAND Friday, February 13 - WAIHEKE ISLAND Saturday, February 14 - AUCKLAND Monday, February 16 - TUTUKAKA (near auckland) Thursday February 18 - WAITAKERE, AUCKLAND Friday, February 19 - WEST AUCKLAND Saturday, February 20 - ORATIA, WAITAKERE

And just for full disclosure (in case anyone's suspicious), I'm not a promoter - just someone who enjoys her music enough to organise a few shows in Wellington, & help out where I can. So I'm not trying to sell tickets for any other reason than that she's a great musician, and right here in NZ for the first time in fifteen years! R

Blair   #6   11:25 am Feb 03 2010

U all rule! even if i may not be there(logistics bla) this puts a smile on ma dial.

Stu as "Stu"   #7   09:07 am Feb 04 2010

"credibility is in the eyes of the beholder"... so true. Would like to have seen one of these shows but the dates don't suit. I might console myself with a Yo La Tengo next week.