saritah: New Zealand/Aotearoa tour Jan 1-12

South-Korean born, West Australian based conscious roots songstress saritah (sa-REE-ta) returns to New Zealand/Aotearoa this January to play Parihaka Peace Festival and tour the North Island with Wellington act Harriet and the Matches.

In the two years since her last trip across the Tasman, saritah has released the ‘These Days/You’re the One’ EP, been nominated Best Blues and Roots artist in the 2006 WAMI (West Australian Music Industry) Awards, and toured Australia extensively as well as Canada, France, Holland and the UK. All this follows on from the success of her debut album ‘gratitude’, released in 2004. Both releases are distributed in Australia through MGM distribution.

Motivated by her belief that music can inspire positive change, saritah’s songs combine lyrics that are at once global and personal, political and spiritual, with music that incorporates many influences from around the globe. From soul through folk to roots and world beats, saritah has clearly crafted her own unique style, which has a sincere, raw energy, and is performed with such passion as to captivate the listener, young or old.

With a new album in the making (due out mid 2007), we can be expecting to see and hear a lot more of saritah’s potent blend of melody, message and groove.

Tour Dates:

Wed 3rd Jan @ Southern Cross Bar, Wellington

Thurs 4th Jan @ Mighty Mighty, Wellington

Fri 5th – Sun 7th Jan Parihaka Peace Festival

Mon 8th Jan @ Basement Bar, New Plymouth

Tues 9th Jan @ Tongue and Groove, Raglan

Wed 10th Jan @ Utopia Café, Kaiwaka

Thurs 11th Cats Tango, Waiheke Island (Onetangi)

http://www.myspace.com/saritahmusic

http://www.saritah.com

Harriet and the Matches formed in January 2005 after long-time musical companions Jessie Moss and Mea solidified what had been casual jamming. Their energetic and original style is a delightful mix of ballad, contemporary folk, reggae and soul inspired songs.

Harriet and the Matches place a strong emphasis on tight vocal harmonies and driving rhythms pounded out with a traditional Irish Bodhran. Harriet and the Matches have released their debut e.p “Ata Takahi”, and the recording wheel for a full-length album is rolling. Harriet and the Matches use music as their tool for change, speaking of social and environmental justice in song. Any opportunity to share their music in celebration of peace is welcomed.

“Their captivating lyrics were inspired by everything from social commentary to dreams and displayed the explicit pointed style of lyric writing that is historically linked to protest songs” – The Christchurch Package July 2004

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