Harmonies from a laid-back land

BY ANGELA CROMPTON

`Dynamic harmonies" is the promise by performers from Waiheke Island playing at Le Cafe tomorrow.

Ian Simpson (guitar, vocals), Nikki Ngatai (guitar, vocals) and drummer Miles Gillett have included Picton on a four-show tour, with other gigs scheduled for Golden Bay, Wellington and the Kapiti Coast.

Originally from Britain, Simpson came to New Zealand in 1995, tried some hard, fast, city living in Auckland for a while, then took a break on the island.

"I got stuck here."

So have many others, and in the summer the island is alive with music, dance and theatre.

"There's a number of festivals that happen through the summer and it's a big, strong, eclectic community."

It was in that scene he and Ngatai started supporting each other's music, Simpson said in a recent phone interview. Ngatai already had her own band on the island, then she started doing solo work and Simpson provided backing.

"Then we began learning a number of songs ... and that grew into having a written section. We get together now and rehearse a combined set of songs."

Simpson describes Gillett as a "serious" drummer who has performed in the United States.

Now he is part of Ngatai's band and will provide the rhythms for her and Simpson on tour.

Simpson says Ngatai's songs range from "rock to solid groove" while his combine pop and rock influences.

"They are gentle ballads and very dynamic."

Ask him what he writes songs about and he says: "Experiences and hopes and dreams."

Songwriting is a cathartic outlet, he adds.

"They can be an affirmation for a direction I want to take. I write the songs first, and then I live it."

As an example, a recent song, Sweat, was written when he was feeling frustrated at the inactivity in his life. Lyrics in the song describe how he is going to take action and start moving towards the life he wants.

And is it happening?

"It's a great song!" he answers, and a smile can be heard in his voice as he explains that life is a journey and right now he feels like he is in the right place.

"It's like sailing ... it takes a long time to get there, so you don't bother – you just enjoy the ride."

- The Marlborough Express