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/Maori/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...” Waikato Times, they are artists who best embody the notion of music and culture transcending boundaries till the seams are invisible. They describe their musical collaboration for this unconventional threesome, “We feel a reverence for each others 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, Maori traditional instruments, Cajons, Guitar, Stomp Peddles, Percussion and Vocals with lyrics in Maori, Rotuman and English unfolds a new direction for fusion World music. Beattie confirms “This is hardly a lone journey!” 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 and Kim’s long time association with the NZ 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 both in Aotearoa and beyond. Kim has also been involved in over 30 recording projects and numerous projects as a session Musician. Born and raised in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, long time fiddle player Sarah Beattie, performs with a passion reflecting her deep connection to Scottish music. Whilst classically studying, 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 Royal Scottish National Orchestra, 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, ukulele and Taonga Puoro – traditional Maori 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 eight albums in the past eight years with three bands and been involved in over 35 recording projects and many and varied session work including a tribute song to The Dalai Lama with Tim Finn, her dream to bring together country and culture is being realised through Pacific Curls. 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 have been awarded the accolade - ‘The Hardest Working World Music Band 2008’ - in Aotearoa, by Te Toi Maori and Puatatangi “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. Divine sounding? That’s for you to decide for Pacific Curls transcendental sound seemed always fated to be.