Great original NZ music on East FM, Saturday from midday...

Phil from Farm Cove

Masterclass songwriter Rob Joass, who has a brilliant new album out – Faultlines, and Mema Wilda and her brother Levi Lights On, who’ll be in the spotlight at the singer-songwriter showcase The Bridge, feature on tomorrow’s She’ll Be Right on Saturdays Show with PJ Taylor, midday to 4pm (NZ time, August 17) on East FM.

Rob Joass is a favourite musician of She’ll Be Right, through his solo works and with Hobnail, and Faultlines is a substantive class act. It’s a marvellous album by a worldly thoughtful lyric writer and melody maker, and there’s the always-present ability to pen a memorable hook you find yourself singing along to by the fourth playing. It already comes highly recommended.

Looking forward to talking with Rob at 12.30pm and playing Faultlines in entirety either side of our chat. Not to in any way downplay how good his earlier albums are, Rob does say for the first time he’s worked with a producer, “and the results are obvious”.

“Wayne Bell not only added a layer of excellence to the production ethic, he also encouraged me to push arrangements and try some new ideas. Guest vocalists, intricate yet subtle guitar work, keyboard pads, and as you would expect from Wayne Bell, dynamic drums let the songs breathe and draw the listener in,” says Rob.

There are eight beautifully crafted Rob Joass originals on Faultlines, plus a magnificent cover of the Go-Betweens’ classic Bye Bye Pride.

Musicians on Faultlines also include Mark Hughes on bass, keyboards by Wayne Mason, pedal steel by Garrett Evans, violin by Jo Moir (Hobnail), cello by Brenton Vietch, and guest vocals from Jenny Mitchell, Nicola Mitchell, Jo Moir, Lynley Christoffersen, Rosie O’Connor and Sean O’Connor.

And Rob was kind enough to use one of my quotes in his media release: “Rob Joass is one of the finest Aussie / Kiwi singer-songwriters you’ll hear. Honest, clever, humorous and real.” – Phil Taylor, East FM (what an honour)

Mema Wilda and her bro Levi Lights On are coming into the studio at 2pm to talk about playing at The Bridge, along with Faith Wilde and her father Jesse Wilde, at Uxbridge Arts and Culture in Howick on Sunday, August 25.

Looking forward to catching up with Mema and to meet Levi. Mema Wilda is another SBR favourite, having brought her dynamic band into the studio twice for live sessions a few years back.

The Bridge, presented by the good folk at Brightside Productions, is an entertaining forum where singer-songwriters and musicians showcase their talents and personalities. It has a fantastic vibe. Performers talk about their compositions and the stories behind them, and of their journeys in the wonderful world of music.

The Bridge also works very well in the great venue of Uxbridge Arts and Culture, in the superb acoustics of the historic and charming Uxbridge Theatre.

East FM is East Auckland’s fair-dinkum community-powered public service radio station, on 88.1FM and 107.1FM on local frequencies, nationally and globally at www.eastfm.nz... and on app iHeart Radio.
She’ll Be Right - it’s all about the vibe; it’s all about the groove. Providing a platform for NZ music and performance artists to exhibit their talents since ages ago. Ka pai. – PJ