For New Zealand musician Tiki Taane, touring can at times seem like an old habit.
So to challenge himself, Tiki will embark on an east-coast tour of Australia playing in acoustic mode. “That's my message at the moment you know. I can do the solo thing just me and the guitar but then looping things, just creating this monster noise that sort of sounds like this whole group band, it's a real challenge, but I love the challenge and I love to be able to do it,” Tiki explains.
While an entirely acoustic tour is new territory for the former Salmonella Dub frontman, he does have some experience when it comes to trying things outside of the box. In 2012, Tiki recorded the album 'With Strings Attached' with an 18-piece orchestra live at Wellington's Old St Paul's Cathedral.
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However, this is the first time he is embarking on a tour without any musician back-up. When asked if he was hesitant to do the tour, his response is anything but. “It's pretty easy I guess 'cause all the electronics I do. I actually write first on a guitar, and work out melodies, choruses and verses and then I slowly workout and move the guitar away and make it about beats and basslines and synths and all that kind of stuff.
“Originally, every heavy, electronic song I've ever written is usually written on an old, beaten-up acoustic guitar sitting on the couch and then I go to the studio and make it into this sort of electronic thing, but yeah it's not that hard.
“[But] for this Australian tour I'm just doing [the show] myself; you know [playing in a band and solo] both have their ups and downs, it's like anything. I mean the buzz about being in a band I guess it's that camaraderie, and being on the road and it's that connection that you get a bunch of people connecting by making music, that's always a cool buzz. But sometimes that can be a real hassle 'cause you can always get a real dickhead in the band you know, massive egotist kind of thing.”
This tour will also provide opportunities for local acts to join Tiki on stage, with the 'Always On My Mind' singer to personally select each support act. “I'm looking for support acts in each city. I did a little video advertising it … we've had hundreds of people reply. It's trying to find a support act for each city and local guys or girls [who play] acoustic. That's the kinda buzz. I've been doing that quite a bit ... it's good for me and it's good for everyone else you know; keep the vibe going, give either new talent or people who haven't been playing much a chance. Get them a little bit of exposure; it's a bit of fun.”
Tiki Taane Tour Dates
Thu 12 Mar – Solbar (Sunshine Coast)Fri 13 Mar – Woolly Mammoth (Brisbane)
Sat 14 Mar – Tanks Arts Centre (Cairns)
Sun 15 Mar – Miami Marketta (Gold Coast)
Thu 19 Mar – The Northern (Byron Bay)
Fri 20 Mar – The Corner Hotel (Melbourne)
Sat 21 Mar – Jam Gallery (Sydney)
Sun 22 Mar – El Grande Festival (Gladstone)
