Musicians generally hibernate during winter but there's always stuff bubbling away beneath the surface.

That whole cold winter vibe just doesn't seem so conducive to going out and gigging. Or perhaps it's that musicians don't trust audiences to turn out when there's a higher chance of being rained on or freezing your tights off.


The Shirleybyrds.

Whatever the reason – the impossibility of outdoor gigs, general laziness – less happens musically in winter. Though many bands are using the time to start, or indeed finish, new albums in time for spring. Brilleaux, Kokomo, B-Side Band and The Shirleybyrds are four outfits currently working on album projects.

In the meantime there's actually stuff going on but it seems to have migrated from the centre of town to the suburbs.

Just as bands have been coming through more obscure places, such as the Te Puna Memorial Hall – since Baycourt is currently too expensive for local acts to utilise, more's the pity – so a couple of neighbourhood bars have become slightly unlikely hubs for music.

A solid reassurance

I guess the fact that both of them are owned by stalwart of the local music scene Andy Craw and his wife Veronica may have something to do with it, but it's reassuring to see this sort of thing can work and be successful.

It's also refreshing, given Andy's choice of music is wide and varied and certainly doesn't stick slavishly to popular covers outfits.

The two bars in question are McSwiggans at the Cambridge Rd shops and The Matua, along Tilby Drive, in the eponymous suburb.

For nearly a year now the Tauranga Acoustic Music Club has made its home at McSwiggans, getting together every Tuesday night for either a jam session or a blackboard concert, while the country nights that used to happen down on The Strand now take place every Wednesday at The Matua.

And the Sunday music is interesting too. McSwiggans has had the likes of Undertow – acoustic guitar heroes Sean Bodley and Mark Wright, and Joe's Van.

This Sunday The Matua will host Alice Sea, who will be purveying her unique brand of world music along with ace axeman Aaron Saxon. They play from 3-6pm.

Also on Sunday there's a change of pace for the Entertainers Club. Last month it was Broadway tunes, this month it's two Tauranga bands presenting 'unplugged” sets.
It takes place at The Citz Club on Cameron Rd at 5pm, costs $10 on the door, and you can see Brilleaux and The Shirleybyrds

Defying the 'musicians don't do much in winter” dictum, which I opened with, The Shirleybyrds, fronted by Shirley Ryder and Graeme Hardaker, have been quite busy recently.

Duo's catchy tunes

In case you haven't heard them, they specialise in music with a strong sixties psychedelic vibe and have a bag of remarkably catchy tunes. Though sometimes seen as a duo, the full band is a four-piece.

Last Friday they were up in Auckland in front of a live audience at the Commerce Club in Remuera, where they played a pile of originals songs, both selections from their debut album and new ones. This was for the TV show ‘Rockin' The Planet' which airs on SKY's Face channel (83) at 8pm on Thursdays.

It's hosted by Kiwi ‘legend' Shane Hales, who also has a chat with various musical guests. There's a YouTube channel where you can get a feel for the show and watch clips of everything from the Hello Sailor boys to The Flaming Mudcats. It's at www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ra3hmFwtdI.

The Shirleybyrds, who also include drummer John Hawley and bass player Pat Hawkins, aren't sure when their show will air but expect a selection of their songs interview to be aired later in July.

Mixing it up

At The Entertainers Club on Sunday they'll be mixing their originals with some sixties favourites.

Meanwhile, Brilleaux's unplugged show has been developing.

It's a very different beast from their full electric show, bypassing their many original songs in favour of a bit of a history lesson, which incorporates the music and musicians that originally influenced frontman Graham Clark and the band.

So expect everything from the Rolling Stones to T-Rex to obscure, old, British blues bands.

Sounds like fun.