Charlotte Yates and Gil Eva Craig with Rob Thorne

AOTNZ double bill – Charlotte Yates and Gil Eva Craig with Rob Thorne

Many will remember Charlotte Yates from the iconic 1990s band ‘When the Cat’s Been Spayed’.

Since then, besides recording six albums of her own, she’s studied contemporary music technology and composition in Australia, produced two Melbourne Fringe Arts Festivals, been artist in residence in Christchurch (2002) and directed and produced the critically acclaimed CDs,Baxter, Tuwhare and Ihimaera.

Now New Zealand audiences can look forward to a much anticipated tour with Arts On Tour NZ.

Charlotte is joined on this tour by award winning sound designer and multi-instrumentalist Gil Eva Craig – the two will perform songs from Charlotte’s album Archipelago, co-produced and arranged by Gil. www.charlotteyates.com/

‘Yates' fine voice and astute pop songwriting are more than ably backed up by her intuitive guitar work.’ North and South

‘Had she been born a few decades later, the Kiwi music machine would be all over her talent and hooky semi-acoustic songs like the proverbial rash? Archipelago sees her paired with producer-musician Gil Eva Craig, who adds extra colour and texture to the confident unguarded emotion that is the hallmark of Yates' work.’ Nick Ward, Stuff

Setting the scene in the first half of the show, Rob Thorne creates a transcendent aural experience through the use of modern loop technology and traditional Maori instruments made of stone, bone, shell and wood.

A musician with over 25 years’ performance experience in bands and solo, Rob’s work with traditional Maori instruments has led to an MA in Social Anthropology, working both academically and musically with master musician, Richard Nunns QSM, as well as collaborating with Phil Dadson, Dudley Benson and Ariana Tikao. He has researched, taught and demonstrated at museums and marae throughout the country and travelled to the Peruvian Andes to experience and research ancient indigenous sound-healing techniques. www.robthorne.co.nz

In touring with Arts On Tour NZ, Rob performs Whaia te Maramatanga, a highly concentrated conversation between past and present – and a personal exploration of the healing qualities of an ancient practice through the medium of sound.

‘Sometimes the whole thing feels like a lost instalment of Brian Eno’s ambient series. At other times it might be a field recording of the Earth sighing in its sleep.’ Nick Bollinger, The Listener

‘Thorne has successfully re-imagined and reconstructed traditional Maori instrumental music for the 21st century.’ NZ Musician

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