tike taane and jayson norris acoustic tour

By Will Seal When you’re after a musical experience more personal than a concert, there’s nothing to beat a live acoustic session. Hence - the excellent opportunity that is hitting NZ this month with local favourite Tiki Taane and recent returner Jayson Norris. Tiki will be playing everything from his hit single 'Always On My Mind' to material off his upcoming acoustic album, due for release later this year. As mentioned, the show also marks the return of Jayson Norris to New Zealand. Back in the country for the first time following a relentless touring schedule in the UK, he has made a name for himself both at home and abroad and has opened for acts including Andrea Bocelli, INXS and Sneaky Sound System, as well as being member of multi-platinum collaboration Fly My Pretties. To mark this occasion, I caught up with both of the boys to ask a few questions and hear a bit more about what’s going on. Jayson Norris… This is your first time back in the NZ following a two-year hiatus in the UK, what have been your highlights over that period?  Musically - supporting bands like Blue King Brown, Katchafire, Sneaky Sound System, Kora, I Am Giant, Tiki and being part of Fly My Pretties. Personally - having a 2nd child, getting an invitation from the Queen and meeting Prince Charles and moving to the countryside in Essex. Being part of Homelanz Festival in London was also up there. What are you looking forward to most about returning to NZ?  I'm looking forward to catching up with old friends. Playing some tunes with Tiki and Jess Harlen. Seeing my folks and eating as much seafood as I possibly can. Oh yeah, and seeing the sun. Do you also have any new material coming up? Will we be hearing some of it on the tour?  My single Closer To You is out at the moment plus a collaboration with DJ Gainsford with a track called Everything I Need. We hope to release this track regardless of winning the 1st place with a video to match. You will be hearing quite a few new tunes on this tour plus a couple of older ones, which seem to never die! When can we expect a new album?  An EP in August is coming at ya!!! Tiki… You’ll be previewing new material off your forthcoming album on the tour, what can fans expect? A heavily tattooed brown dude playing the ass out of his acoustic guitar! Do you get nervous performing new material for the first time? Yup for sure! I still get nervous performing the old shit. How did you hook up with Jayson and Jess and will you be doing any on-stage collaborations? I met Jayson years ago at Homegrown in Wellington. From there we stayed in touch & when I toured the UK & EU last year I asked if Jayson would support me at my London show. We kicked London's ass that night so we decided to bring it back to New Zealand and add Jess Harlen to the line up. I met Jess properly at the Maori Waiata Awards and since then we've been talking about making some music together, so I'm sure we will all be ready to jam together onstage at the end of my set. What do you look forward to most about being on tour? Seeing the country, seeing old friends, making new ones, jamming together onstage, when the crowd goes off, the after parties & the good times! Tickets are available now from Dash Tickets, so don’t miss your chance to see the boys at the following dates and locations: Tiki Taane / Jayson Norris Acoustic tour April 11th -- Imbibe - Tauranga April 12th - Diggers Back Bar - Hamilton April 13th - Collards - Kaitaia April 18th - Juice Bar - Auckland April 19th - Bodega - Wellington April 20th - Dux Live – Christchurch