Pacific Curls

This high-energy female trio presents an eclectic and progressive mix of world roots music with Maori, Pacific and Celtic influences.

3 Oct 2007

Pacific Curls

Pacific Curls never set out to be a trio. Four years ago when they found themselves in an Auckland studio, recording a Celtic/Māori/Pacific fusion album with two others, they had little idea that after two European tours, untold Australian, several New Zealand and a knock out Canadian Festival run, they would be the last three standing!

Hailed as a “... standout act...” by The Wellington Dominion Post, and recognised for their “impressive resume of performance experience and musical talent...” by the Waikato Times, they are artists who best embody the notion of music and culture transcending boundaries till the seams are invisible.

Having long been sought after as a guitar player, studying with the likes of Robert Fripp and Nigel Gavin, Kim Halliday has reinvented herself with her virtuosic ukulele performances and multi-instrumental expertise. Her song writing is the inspiration for the music of Pacific Curls. Kim’s long time association with the New Zealand Music Industry as a performer and business entrepreneur has put her in hot demand with the likes of Whirimako Black, Nat Rose, Big Belly Woman and scores of other bands and musicians.

Born and raised in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, long time fiddle player Sarah Beattie, performs with a passion reflecting her deep connection to Scottish music. While training classically, receiving her degree from the world renowned Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Sarah became inspired by traditional Scottish tunes. Her fiddle playing is a unique alchemy of fast and inventive tradition to her signature ‘bass’ chops with the aid of an octave Pedal. Beyond her work with Pacific Curls, Sarah has toured with diverse groups such as the Scottish National Symphony, Brave Hearts of Scotland and trance dance band Loonaloop.

As an artist whose metamorphic drive has helped to facilitate the collaboration of Pacific Curls, Ora Barlow has translated this vision with the musical skills of percussion and Taonga Pūoro – traditional Māori instruments. This worldly instrumentalist and singer songwriter evokes her passion for tradition and improvisation to explore the crossing of global and cultural lines. After being invited to the Commonwealth Games celebrations in 2002 in Manchester, Ora began her association with Celtic traditions. Having released six albums and countless collaborations over the years her dream to bring country and cultures together is being realised through Pacific Curls.

They describe their musical collaboration for this unconventional threesome: “We feel a reverence for each other’s cultures and explore the places where we crossover,” says Halliday, Barlow adds: “People are looking for culture, for belonging, we hope we create that place that embraces us all. ”

The unprecedented combination of Fiddle, Ukulele, Māori traditional instruments, Cajons, Guitar, Stomp Peddles, Percussion and Vocals with lyrics in Māori, Rotuman and English unfolds a new direction for fusion World music. Beattie confirms: “This is hardly a lone journey!”After their 2008 album release ‘Pacifi Celta’, Pacific Curls grooved their way through a National ‘Arts on Tour’ New Zealand run, two Australian tours and a highly successful Canadian tour with appearances at festivals, including Vancouver Island Folk Festival, The 2008 Indigenous Games, Harrison Hot Springs Festival and many more. They will be returning to Canada in 2009 and for the 2010 Winter Olympics celebrations as part of a world music collaborative project.

“We had no idea the three of us would end up as a trio and yet under miraculous circumstances we just seem to click,” says Beattie. Sounds divine? That’s for you to decide.

PAO PAO PAO

Selected to perform in 2007, 2008

Albums

• Pacifi Celta (2008)
• Pacific Swing (2007)
• Motherslime (2006)

Websites