Their cuppa runneth over

TEA PARTY: Rosy Tin Teacaddy perform in Nelson on October 24 and 25.

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On-stage banter and fine tunes will be the order of the day when Rosy Tin Teacaddy come to town. Alice Cowdrey had a yarn with one half of the duo.

There will be a hint of nostalgia and a few cups of tea passed around when Wellington's Rosy Tin Teacaddy play two gigs in Nelson this weekend.

The Wellington-based band's two members are Billy Earl (Andy Hummel) and Betty Grey (Holly Jane Ewens). They have known each other for so long, they feel like a pair of "sweaty old gloves", Hummel says.

"We don't get too wound up any more with feeling nervous. We just feel like it's just a fun thing to do."

The pair formed Rosy Tin Teacaddy about 2 1/2 years ago and have released an album, The Homeward Stretch. This weekend, the acoustic guitar-playing singers who love dressing up nicely will join musical forces with violinist Shona Jaunas, cellist Janet Holborow, electric guitarist Ben Fulton and bass player Al Fraser.

Their music is strictly country and folk, no percussion, and Hummel says the pair try to inject a "sliver" of intellectual content, "but not too much".

"So it's not loud and people won't have their ears hurt, it's all original and a bit wordy so there's something to listen for. It's not all `oh baby, baby yeah'."

Hummel will be familiar to fans of the Woolshed Sessions, the group of laidback Wellington musicians he has played guitar and sung with over the last year or two. People who went to the Woolshed gig in the summer at Neudorf Vineyards will remember his cheeky banter and his morbid yet quirky lyrics from Dead Happy.

Rosy Tin Teacaddy offers more of this black humour and makes an effort to create a real show, with the pair even going so far as using stage names.

"I think I enjoy having a personality crisis," Hummel laughs.

"There's a character-driven component to what we do. We are not super-pretending, but it helps us get into a mindset that helps us to do what we do.

"It's not too far from who we are, but helps us define the parameters."

He is "sick and tired" of seeing bands who look like they have come off the street to deliver performances which do not "care" for the audience. Rosy Tin Teacaddy want to welcome people "into the wonderful world of Billy and Betty", he says.

"We are not making out it's a big amazing theatrical thing but we want it to feel like you have come and seen a show and there's a bit of magic."

He says the two shows will be quite different, and is particularly looking forward to playing the afternoon tea gig at Neudorf.

It will be a good chance to swap an evening tie for a less formal bow-tie, he laughs.

• On Saturday, Rosy Tin Teacaddy play at Neudorf Vineyards from 3pm. Coffee, cupcakes and wine will be for sale. Tickets are $33.

• On Sunday, the band will play the Founders Heritage Park Mainstage at 9pm. Tickets are $38. Tickets for both shows can be purchased from Everyman Records.

- © Fairfax NZ News