The Old School’s reputation for intimate music has attracted two of New Zealand’s finest acoustic signer/ songwriters. Mark Laurent and Brenda Liddiard have been described as playing acoustic music from the heart. Living in Whangamata they are part of that secret army of ‘indie’ musicians who fly just below the commercial radar, playing grass-roots music in an ‘unplugged’ style. They’ve been touring New Zealand, Australia and the UK for 20 years, and what they enjoy most is to connect with audiences on an intimate level. They love playing acoustic clubs such as the one at Kapiti, small theatres, house concerts, churches – wherever people want to come close and really listen. But they can also be found jamming in a crowded cafe/bar, or filling large open spaces, like city squares or festival marquees, with the sound of guitars, mandolin, Rowan lute and harmonies.
They’re both songwriters, with their own styles, so they’ve become each other’s backing band. Mark has a penchant for acoustic rock, blues & reggae, whereas Brenda’s songs lean more towards new folk & alt. country. So what you get is an eclectic mix of material, that can be ‘pin drop’ delicate, or sound like a 4-piece band! They often also pepper their shows with short bursts of poetry as well, just to keep things interesting.
An added bonus to their Raglan concert at 7.30pm on the 5th May, will be a special session for children on the same afternoon at 2.30pm. Called ‘Rufus and the Rain’, it is a music show for children with story-telling and music.
Saturday 5th May
2.30pm Rufus and the Rain with Mark & Brenda
7.30pm Mark Laurent & Brenda Liddiard in Concert
Raglan Old School Arts Centre, Stewart St, Raglan
Phone 825 0023 or email info@raglanartscentre.co.nz for more information or to reserve a seat.