We continue the occasional series wherein Winston expounds on things that currently make him happy. He's a generally happy chappy and there's a lot adding to his happiness quota at the moment: feijoas are in season, the new ‘Avengers' movie arrives next week, ‘Thunderbirds' and ‘Game of Thrones' are back on television! But this is a music column and this week he has gigs for you…

Model Train Wreck plays in town on April 24.

145) Gypsy! It happening on Sunday, it's happening at Baycourt, and it looks wonderful! It's a whole bunch of popular classical music with a gypsy theme played by the Tauranga Symphonia! Word about the symphonia and its conductor Justus Rozemond has been growing over recent times, suggesting the orchestra has reached new heights under the esteemed JR.

This concert features guests – high-flying local soprano Anna Hawkins and hot violinist Brigitte Balzat – and will include all your favourite bits of Carmen as well as pieces from Dvorak, Brahms, Bartok and Liszt.

Tickets cost $12 to $30 from Baycourt/Ticketek. Things kick off 2.30pm this Sunday, April 19.

146) Greers! Just while we're on the subject of Sundays, Greers Gastro Bar in Greerton is having music every Sunday from 5.30pm, a mixture of jazz and various other stuff.

U4RIA are there this Sunday and Barry Spedding is singing with Viva Jazz next week, April 26.

147) Model Train Wreck! Only seven sleeps to go and I can't imagine anyone in Tauranga is more excited than me about the imminent arrival of Auckland's Model Train Wreck! The quartet are playing a rare Bay of Plenty gig on Friday, April 24 at Major Toms in Mount Maunganui.

In case you don't know Major Toms, it's on that hub of hospitality at the first roundabout, where you can also find the Pizza Library, Vaudeville, The Mount Social Club, Satori, Mount Mellick and more. In case you don't know Model Train Wreck, they're fantastic, their self-titled debut album remaining my favourite release of last year.

The band is engaging and energetic, combining elements of indie-pop, surf, and rockabilly, with the odd murder ballad thrown in.

Rather than quote my own review of their CD, here's Graham Reid, who said: 'Enjoyable pop-rock with its ears on refined rockabilly, swinging sax rock 'n' roll and some snappy New Wave smarts”. I totally agree.

Their first single, called ‘We're Not Speaking', has a video that can be seen on YouTube, or at www.facebook.com/modeltrainwreck. It's a catchy 1950s-style pop tune and a cool semi-animated vid. Another live favourite is ‘Port Chalmers Murder Ballad', a rollicking mystery story written in the back of van en route to Port Chalmers.

Apparently, it's (mostly) true.

Model Train Wreck's singer and principle songwriter is Chris Howard (formerly of the Sproutts), who has influences as diverse as Don McGlashan, Brian Setzer, Bell and Sebastian, and the Beach Boys – there's also a clear dash of Split Enz in there – while giving regular nods in the direction of cinematic genius David Lynch.

Hamish Peart plays a saxophone which starts out kind-of-like-jazz, but ends up like a snarling animal. Carl Letcher provides muscular, swinging, drum-beats. Tom Healy plays bass and was also the producer/engineer behind their album.

Supplying support at Major Toms is 21-year-old singer songwriter Liam Jolly, who some might remember from the opening set he played for Swamp Thing's big bash at MauaoPAC in January.

I asked Chris Howard about Liam and he said: 'Watching Liam Jolly play guitar and sing is like watching an angry mother go on a backstage ‘Grand Theft Auto' rampage when her child doesn't make it through on ‘The X-Factor'. It's impossible not to smile. It's impossible to look away”.

148) Jamie McDell! When he's not playing bass with MTW, Tom Healy also plays guitar and works as a producer/engineer for rising star Jamie McDell, who is playing at the Mauao Performing Arts Centre on Saturday, April 25.

McDell's show is part of a nationwide tour to celebrate the release of her new second album Ask Me Anything. It's an all-ages show, kicking off at 7.30pm. Tickets are from Eventfinder at the somewhat unusual price of $23.10.