Steampunk Folktronica

Press release - Steampunk Folktronica

Friday 16th & Saturday 17th of February 2007, 7pm

At the NZ Film Archive, 84 Taranaki Street

Steampunk Folktronica takes an alternative look at events in New Zealand history from the 1860s through to the Great War, using multimedia and live music.

Steampunk Folktronica is a new work that actively engages with the culture of 21st century New Zealand, by examining its origins in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

We are out to entertain, educate and inform the audience and ourselves through the process of creating and presenting this show – but be warned that not all events happen according to historical fact.

Steampunk evokes the feel of steampunk science fiction – Jules Vernes, HG Wells, William Gibson - and punk rock. Folktronica suggests the blend of the past and public domain material with the new technology available in the 21st century.

The story will be told through the use of spoken interludes and visuals - material from sources including the Alexander Turnbull Library, the NZ Film Archive, the Department of Conservation and our own footage, writing and animations. Visuals are projected on a screen above and behind the performers.

The music includes period songs – but the style of the music will be thoroughly modern, incorporating elements of rock, folk, heavy metal, electronic music, acoustic and electric improvisation and the avant garde. The instrumental lineup includes guitars, banjo, saxophone and clarinet, bass, drums and live computer.

There’s something for everyone, and a bit of humour thrown in.

The show is created by writer/musician Dave Edwards, former Wellington resident and creator of the award-winning Ascension Band. Dave spent much of 2005 in Australia and 2006 in the South Island, studying at the Nelson School of Music.

He performed as an international artist at the Liquid Architecture festival in Brisbane in July 2006, and at Lines of Flight festival in Dunedin in October.

Ascension Band 2005 and Lines of Flight 2006 both won best music awards in their respective Fringe Festivals.

This will be Dave’s only Wellington show for 2007 as he plans to travel to Asia and Europe afterwards.

ENDS

www.fiffdimension.co.nz

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