TIRAU - AUCKLAND - BETHELLS BEACH - MANGAWHAI - RAGLAN - ROTORUA - MOUNT MAUNGANUI - KAITAIA - OPONONI - MARAETAI
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Yebiisu be hittin' some spots around the North Island this summer with some friends...
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Sat 23 Nov - Neilstock - Tirau
Sat 30 Nov - Grey Lynn Park Festival - Auckland
Fri 06 Dec - Auckland Ska Festival - Kings Arms - Auckland
Fri 20 Dec - Bar Eden - Auckland (with AoTeA-rAw NZ)
Fri 27 Dec - Bethells Cafe - Wainamu / Bethells Beach
Sat 28 Dec - Mangawhai Tavern - Mangawhai (with Fat Man)
Mon 30 Dec - Yot Club - Raglan (with Roofdog)
Fri 10 Jan - Crash Palace - Rotorua (with Regan Perry)
Sat 11 Jan - Brewers Bar - Mt Maunganui (with Regan Perry)
Fri 17 Jan - Waipapakauri Hotel - Kaitaia
Sat 18 Jan - Opononi Hotel - Opononi
Sat 15 Mar - Omana Regional Park, Maraetai (with The KUMPNEE) - for Music in Parks
==
From the depths of the Waitakere Ranges comes Yebiisu...
a soulful and politically-conscious mix of funk, dub, and ska, powered by tribal
percussion, bass-heavy grooves, harmonic horns, and mezmerising vocals.
With the aesthetic of windswept West Coast beaches and lush rainforest permeating
their two releases, the Piha EP (2011) and last year’s acclaimed Exit City EP (2012),
Yebiisu have managed to distance themselves from the traditional kiwi ‘barbecue
reggae’ sound. Lyrically, they are known for mixing an uplifting blend of partytunes
and upbeat ska (‘Take You Away’) with socially-aware anthems of anarchy
(‘Money's Gonna Get Ya’, and ‘Mr Policeman’) to follow in the vein of protest songs
perhaps lacking in recent years amongst Aotearoa reggae.
Formed in 2009, Yebiisu wasted no time making an immediate impression on
Auckland’s live scene, leaving audiences both stimulated and euphoric, and exciting
reviewers and fans alike. Helped no doubt by decades of live experience from band
members’ appearance in other influential local outfits (Katchafire, New Way Home, The
Managers, Newmatics, and The Murderchord, to name a few), a stream of high profile
shows followed, including support act for international reggae heavyweights and great
inspiration, Groundation (USA), as well as sharing the stage with the likes of Streetlight
Manifesto (USA), Barons of Tang (Aus), Unity Pacific, Night Gaunts, House of Shem, and
countless others, as well as numerous festival appearances such as the Titirangi Festival
of Music, Grey Lynn Park Festival and New Zealand’s annual Raggamuffin festival.
2010 saw the release of their debut Piha EP, achieving airplay on Kiwi FM, Radio
One, and 95bFM, and the national tour following it helped sell out the band’s first
run of CDs. Last year’s follow-up, the self-released Exit City EP is a natural evolution for
Yebiisu, with a heavier sound, polished performances and personal, introspective lyrics
from Jayme Wallace, who is often compared to some of reggae’s greatest voices.
Both discs were produced by Stu Fu and mastered by Chris Chetland (Concord Dawn,
Shapeshifter) of Kog Transmissions, the latter includes fan favourite track ‘420’ which
would feature a guest appearance from British MC and frequent NZ visitor Kevin Mark
Trail (known by many for contributions with The Streets, Beverley Knight, Nathan Haines,
and Nitin Sawhney).
Despite two releases and a remix EP to come in 2013, Yebiisu’s continued love is
for earth-shaking live performances, and it is within this arena that the band truly
shines. With a stage full of musicians who love their craft and dedicate their lives to
it, sold-out audiences keep returning to witness Yebiisu live around the country.
==
YEBIISU: Simon Ross (Bass) / James Bristow (Guitar) / John Faulding (Keys/Melodica) / Scott Wotherspoon (Drums) / Ignacio Valencia (Percussion) / Jono Tan (Trombone/Shells) / Scott Thomas (Saxophone).
