Fly My Pretties – 2011 Cast Announcement

Phoenix Drinks and Loop are proud to announce the Fly My Pretties cast for 2011.

A rotating collective of musicians, Fly My Pretties showcases New Zealand’s musical diversity by mixing well-known and loved performers with exciting new talent. The cast for 2011 is the most diverse yet with musicians hailing from all corners of the country.

The 16-strong 2011 Fly My Pretties Cast:

Aaron Tokona
Age Pryor
Amiria Grenell
Anna Coddington
Barnaby Weir
Eva Prowse
Flip Grater
Fran Kora
Iraia Whakamoe
James Coyle
Jarney Murphy
Justin “Firefly” Clarke
L.A. Mitchell
Mike Fabulous
Nigel Patterson
Ryan Prebble

Fly My Pretties are back with a re-imagined show, new cast and a wealth of new songs. The collective's fresh concept will see them collaborate with renowned visual artist, Hayley King (Flox).

Expect a completely new production, from re-inspired costumes, to unique boundary-pushing visuals - all filmed & recorded live for their 4th release.

Please see below for individual information on the 2011 Fly My Pretties cast.

RETURNING FLY MY PRETTIES CAST MEMBERS:

Barnaby Weir:

Leader and co-founder of the Pretties concept, Barnaby Weir has been rather busy of late. Stepping into the spotlight as a solo musician, Barnaby successfully released his debut album Tarot Card Rock earlier this year while seamlessly juggling his duties as the acclaimed singer-songwriter and frontman of The Black Seeds and Fly My Pretties.

Jarney Murphy:

Jarney Murphy has been keeping the beat and knocking out his well-known dubby grooves with The Black Seeds since 2004. Playing the drums at full-throttle with uncompromised energy, Jarney is a man who brings down the house no holds barred.

Mike Fabulous:

Guitarist for The Black Seeds, bassist, DJ and producer, Mike Fabulous released his debut album Melodies under his intergalactic alias, Lord Echo, late last year. A meandering journey through Afro–disco, Soul Reggae, Latin boogie and Ethio–Jazz, the album received widespread critical acclaim. Mike is involved in the New Zealand Music Commission’s Musicians Mentoring in School Programme and loves a good boog-a-loo.

Age Pryor

Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and cast member of Live At Bats and The Return Of…, Age Pryor makes a welcome return to the Pretties. Incredibly creative, he has released albums as a solo artist and contributed to numerous others through collaborations. In his time away from the Pretties, Age has busied himself, crafting music for soundtracks including Taika Waititi’s Eagle Versus Shark as well as founding and playing in both the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra and The Woolshed Sessions.

Anna Coddington:

Since joining the flock for the A Story tour, the ever-engaging Anna Coddington has released her sophomore album Cat & Bird, toured the country as a solo artist as well as with the likes of Eru Dangerspiel and in the process, established herself as a true musical talent. The singer, guitarist and sometime drummer, has garnered a healthy dose of praise for her quirky indie pop sensibility and has been officially recognised with a prestigious 2011 Silver Scroll nomination for her song “Little Islands”.

Eva Prowse:

Eva Prowse has entranced many with her charming presence, mysterious folk-pop sounds and impressive skills on the violin, mandolin and guitar. Late last year, the emerging artist released her debut album I Can’t Keep Secrets, produced by Samuel Flynn Scott, which showcases her prowess as a singer, songwriter and musician and features an impressive line up of musicians. Performances with Ricky Boyd’s Boomshack Band on their Tui Award-winning album Trouble on the Waterfront and support spots for the likes of the legendary Wanda Jackson have all cemented her status as a true talent.

L.A. Mitchell:

L.A. Mitchell is a rare and precious musical gem. As a solo musician, the spectacular power of her voice and her smooth delivery has seen the always polished soul / jazz songstress open for the likes of Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie and perform regularly alongside Dave Dobbyn as part of his band. Yet, when performing as a member of Dukes, her rock-chick alter ego takes hold. As a member of Dukes, L.A. has opened for rock legends Blondie and the Pretenders and had a Top 10, Gold Certified hit.

Nigel Patterson:

Nigel Patterson is a Wellington-based pianist, organist, composer and the keyboardist for The Black Seeds. Nigel is a purveyor of vintage instruments and has a contemporary all-original composition jazz quartet under his own name. He is also the bandleader of The Mantarays - a noir exotica organ-fuelled psychedelic group, which hovers somewhere between Sun Ra and The Doors.

Ryan Prebble:

Ryan Prebble has entranced audiences throughout New Zealand with his stonking guitar rhythms and powerful gravelly voice, which is at times a moan, at times a growl. Ryan has performed as a solo artist, as part of the Fly My Pretties A Story cast and is currently a member of The Nudge and Spartacus R. With both bands set to release highly anticipated albums within the next few months, it’s fair to say that Ryan is at the very least, prolific.

NEW FLY MY PRETTIES CAST MEMBERS:

Amiria Grenell

Hailing from the iconic Grenell tribe, youngest member Amiria is a highly regarded singer-songwriter and recording artist. Currently living in Lyttelton, Amiria’s honest and innocent charm has captivated audiences and seen her release albums both as a solo artist and as a member of the folk duo, Harriet and the Matches. Having recently finished recording her follow up album Three Feathers produced by her brother, Oakley and featuring her brother, Redford (ex-Shapeshifter), Amiria is getting set to embark on a nationwide tour to celebrate the release.

Flip Grater

Flip Grater is carving out a niche in the international indie-folk world…and rightly so. The singer-songwriter has released an EP, three acclaimed albums including 2010’s While I’m Awake, I’m At War, published two books and has made a habit of selling out shows both at home and overseas. With recent accolades including a nomination for Folk Album of the Year at the Vodafone NZ Music Awards, Flip’s wistful and swooning melodies are something to take note of.

Aaron Tokona

Enigmatic frontman of kiwi rock legends WETA, Aaron Tokona has had a lot on the boil lately. As one half of the explosive duo, Cairo Knife Fight, he’s supported the Foo Fighters, Them Crooked Vultures and Shihad and toured the country relentlessly. The mastermind of AHoriBuzz, he’s made a habit of procuring a selection of New Zealand’s top talent to appear in his jam band, released some underground gems and played a string of impressive gigs including support for Fat Freddy’s Drop and Shapeshifter.

Fran Kora

Fran Kora is the bass player and vocalist of well-known juggernaut, Kora. Known for their huge live presence, Kora has spawned their own unique sound and style and broke the mould with their infamous performances. Since their beginnings, Kora have wracked up numerous accolades including a double platinum selling album, a Vodafone NZ Music Award and performances at top festivals. Outside of Kora, Fran has lent his voice to a range of others including Eru Dangerspiel and plays the bass in the relentless instrumental band, The Heavy Metal Ninjas.

Iraia Whakamoe

The man with the rhythm sticks, Iraia Whakamoe, is a newcomer to the national music scene but is making up for lost time quickly. One third of swamp stomping blues trio, The Nudge, Iraia has a burgeoning reputation for his savage drumming style, innate ability to keep a beat and intuitive knack at creating space and feeling within his rhythms.

James Coyle

James Coyle aka Reverend Black Keys takes to the stage and plays his keys with
as much fervour as a minister delivering a sermon at church. The final member of
Wellington’s The Nudge, James has been enlightening the ears of many with the
savage psychedelic tones that he prises from the depths of his piano bass and organ, which he plays simultaneously. As well as enjoying great success in The Nudge, the Cantabrian has performed in Newtown Rocksteady, Hikoikoi and Jessie James and the Outlaws.

Justin “Firefly” Clarke

Justin “Firefly” Clarke must be one of the New Zealand music community’s best-kept secrets. The gifted musician has produced and performed on various albums including The Woolshed Sessions, toured throughout Australasia with musical heavyweights that include Fat Freddy’s Drop and contributed to numerous film and radio projects. Remarkably, Justin has also been working towards his Masters in Composition at Victoria University under the mentorship of John Psathas and is set to release his album, To Serve The Waves later this year.

Thanks to Creative New Zealand, Tuborg Pilsner, Agwa, Metro, Kiwi FM, Ticketek, Heart Strings and the wonderful Flox.

Dunedin on sale via TicketDirect
Auckland, Wellington & Christchurch on sale via Ticketek

See http://www.loop.co.nz for direct links

FLY MY PRETTIES TOUR DATES 2011:

Dunedin: Saturday 29 October
– The Regent Theatre

Christchurch: Sunday 30 & Monday 31 October
– Geo Dome, Hagley Park

Auckland: Thursday 10, Friday 11 & Saturday 12 November
– The Mercury Theatre

Wellington: Saturday 19 November
– St James Theatre