.jpg)
Hamsterfest 2023 Performers
Passion Vine Hoppers
Passion Vine Hoppers are a contemporary folk due made up of brothers Angus and Jed Long. Hailing from the south-west of England, the brothers moved to Aotearoa when they were aged 12 and 14 respectively, providing a duality to their lives and their music. The music of the Passion Vine Hoppers finds its roots in the storytelling traditions of British folk music, but with the stomping kick drum, driving bass and raw lyrics of the more recent folk resurgence.
Now calling hills of the Coromandel peninsula home, Passion Vine Hoppers are spreading their wings to promote their first single, '14 Holes', with a spot at Hamsterfest followed by a tour of Australia.
The music of Passion Vine Hoppers is energetic and contemporary, but the lyrics are focused on stories of our time and of the people. "We were raised on Fairport Convention and the Levellers and those traditions form the backbone of our musicality and gutsy vocals." Catch the Passion Vine Hoppers now!
Wilkie Mac
Duo Lynne Wilkins and Michael Mackinnon are based in Raglan, New Zealand, a small west-coast town with a big reputation as a creative community. Krissy Jackson brings her well-loved style and energy to the stage in the Wilkie Mac & Jack tour, and makes a guest appearance on some of Wilkie Mac’s recordings that are soon to be released.
Inspired by songs that deliver on both melody and lyrics, Wilkie Mac will take you on a journey around the globe and spanning the centuries. Their repertoire will have you singing along, laughing out loud, tapping your feet; it will tug at the heartstrings, draw you along the path of whimsy, cast light into a corner and reframe a well-loved old favourite.
Wilkins and Mackinnon have recently completed several recording projects and are looking forward to sharing songs from The Guinea Stamp, a recording of a collection inspired by Robert Burns, which was completed in late 2019, but didn’t get a chance to be properly released. The Pleasure Will Be Mine, a collection of our favourite celtic and local folk songs, and When the West Wind Blows (which is a collection of Lynne’s songs and tunes), are both to be released in early March 2023.
Inspired by songs that deliver on both melody and lyrics, Wilkie Mac will take you on a journey around the globe and spanning the centuries. Their repertoire will have you singing along, laughing out loud, tapping your feet; it will tug at the heartstrings, draw you along the path of whimsy, cast light into a corner and reframe a well-loved old favourite.
Wilkins and Mackinnon have recently completed several recording projects and are looking forward to sharing songs from The Guinea Stamp, a recording of a collection inspired by Robert Burns, which was completed in late 2019, but didn’t get a chance to be properly released. The Pleasure Will Be Mine, a collection of our favourite celtic and local folk songs, and When the West Wind Blows (which is a collection of Lynne’s songs and tunes), are both to be released in early March 2023.
Fiddlesticks
Karen and Jacko Jackson have been performing as Fiddlesticks for 4 decades, with the last 16 years being in Australia. Over that time, they cherished the many challenges and opportunities that presented with music, partnerships and influences.
Some of the highlights of their time in Australia include:-
- The first 5 years they performed and toured for the Queensland Arts Council;
- In Brisbane they helped set up the Brisbane Celtic Fiddle Club;
- For 7 years, they founded and directed the Sunshine Fiddle Camp;
- In 2018, they ran the Fiddlers Rally at the National Folk Festival; and
- Being members of the "Hjaltibonhoga Fiddlers" in the Edinburgh Tattoo, the last 2 times it toured Australia.
The last 6 years saw Karen and Jacko settled in the Northern Territory, surrounded by music, culture and opportunity. While there, Karen worked as a string's teacher and ran the Desert Fiddle Club. She also rekindled her passion of Trad Scottish Music and Jacko found a new passion in Klezmer music. Fiddlesticks continued as a four-piece band, playing weekly at a local recycle cafe (seemed fitting!).
Returning home to the West Coast of New Zealand in 2021, Karen and Jacko met Carol Rose, whom many will recall from her 20 years with the Nelson women's Celtic band Cairde (Carja) and also for co-hosting the Tui Farm Folk Festival with husband Steve Rose for 19 years. Now also living on the West Coast, the fabulous Carol has joined Fiddlesticks on bass, guitar and vocals.
Look forward to a lively and eclectic performance featuring twin fiddles, gorgeous harmonies and fantastic musicianship.
Songware
Songware is the new project of seasoned professional musicians Craig Denham and Jo Taylor.
Jo comes from a musical family and has been in numerous musical incarnations in the folk and rock world. From the powerhouse alt folk all girl band Brazen in the '90s to The Johnnies (all girls all Johnny Cash) more recently. She is a powerful and charismatic presence on stage and sings and plays guitar and Bodhran.
Craig is an intrepid musical journey man, and has played everything from early Cuban music, Gypsy Jazz, folk, funk reggae, and Celtic music. Based in Prague for 10 years he has now returned to New Zealand. He plays accordion, keyboards, whistle, foot percussion and sings.
Reconnecting after almost 20 years apart, Songware delivers the music of old friends doing what they love with joyous harmonies, humour and driving grooves. Expect eclectic awesomeness.
Nigel Parry
An award winning singer / songwriter who has performed in several countries, on radio, and major folk festivals, Nigel Parry weaves a unique journey from ancient to modern, heartbreaking to humorous.
He calls his style ‘Soulful Folkiwi Music’. A new studio album is out 3rd April 2022:- Tales of Common Folk, Salt and Sweet Kisses.
Featuring some of New Zealand’s finest folk musicians, the listener is taken on a reflective journey from the decline of Kiwi rural towns, through stories of Marlborough Sounds whalers, love and loss in olden times, even a Viking raid.
He calls his style ‘Soulful Folkiwi Music’. A new studio album is out 3rd April 2022:- Tales of Common Folk, Salt and Sweet Kisses.
Featuring some of New Zealand’s finest folk musicians, the listener is taken on a reflective journey from the decline of Kiwi rural towns, through stories of Marlborough Sounds whalers, love and loss in olden times, even a Viking raid.