To celebrate the release of his fifth full-length album Spirit Tide, Auckland based experimental/folk singer-songwriter Mali Mali is playing an intimate one-off solo show at Wellington's cozy Vogelmorn Bowling club with support from Pōneke songwriter and Home Alone Label- mate Timothy Blackman.
Mali Mali (Ben Tolich) had always felt a warm connection with the far north. With Spirit Tide he was captivated by the region’s overarching spirituality and the traditional Māori stories about souls travelling up the coast of Cape Reinga towards the afterlife. In a sense, this relationship between landscape and feeling helped set the scene for the songs that followed.
This is existential anxiety moulded into unique and idiosyncratic songs which conform to no particular genre beyond downbeat, thoughtful and experimental indie.folk.
Mali Mali has developed into one of our unique voices and this album is a lure into his distinctive and singular world. - Graham Reid / Elsewhere
Timothy Blackman is an underground recording legend. His most recent album Brightest Days is an alternative collection of sincere, candid storytelling. Raw genuine lyrics flow like a musical storybook. Balm for a bruised soul.
From one track to another, slightly haunting but also strangely comforting acoustic instrumentation glides along in a laid back but “emotionally direct” fashion.
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Vogelmorn Upstairs is not a wheelchair accessible building. There is an accessible bathroom in the space. This is an all ages venue but those under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a designated adult. The Vogelmorn Precinct is a community space located in a residential area. With that in mind, the team ask that you be kind to others' who are using the Vogelmorn spaces and that when you leave the gig, you do so quietly to avoid disturbing our neighbours.
The Upstairs Bar and Smoked and Pickled Restaurant will be open from 3pm, to book a table for pre-show kai email Alice at snpkapiti@gmail.com
