An Emerald City

Forming in late 2005 this New Zealand six piece has created a sound that combines Eastern traditional instruments and psychedelic leanings with experimentation and musical liberation. Instrumental, thoughtful songs created by guitars, drums, sitars, violins, a Persian long necked lute, tabla, daabuka, piano and percussion found from various reaches of the universe. An Emerald City have gathered an excellent following in their home country and have spent much of late 2007 and 2008 playing shows, festivals and tours supporting the release of their debut self titled EP, which has received excellent reviews. Late 2008 and early 2009 has seen the band back on the festival circuit with legendary live shows throughout the South Island of New Zealand. The band have gone into record their debut album in early January 09 in an isolated cave on the rugged West Coast of Auckland. Their first three songs from their EP went on to high rotate on New Zealand alternative radio, and all were Top 40 New Zealand radio singles, despite commercial radio not being involved at all. Their first song Qing Song spent 12 weeks in New Zealand’s premier alternative radio stations top ten with four weeks at number 1. Having been one of the stand out local acts at Womad 2008, Big Day Out 2009 , Soundsplash, Canaan Downs and Rhythm and Vines, they are gaining a reputation as one of the country’s most exciting and refreshing live acts. The band relocate to Europe (Berlin) in May 2009.