Led by New Zealanders Cy Winstanley and Vanessa McGowan, Her Make Believe Band is a London born band described as a “masterful blend of Americana fused with jazz, soul and pop”. They’ve been getting rave reviews in New Zealand and the UK for their debut album, AM Radio. Freshly returned to the UK after a recent trip home, Vanessa selected some favourites on Felt and shared some crafty memories – read the full story here.

This is the last in the 2010 series of Sounds Crafty, a special series of craft showcases picked by Kiwi musicians, bands and DJs. This New Zealand Music Month, Sounds Crafty has featured interviews with Julia Deans, Urbantramper, Hikoikoi, Rosy Tin Teacaddy, Forbidden Joe, Mea Grenell and ROY G & the BIVinators and Al Fraser of The Woolshed Sessions. Thank you so much to all those who took part!

Wellington-based musician and craftsperson Al Fraser is a man of many talents. As well as performing with indie folk group The Woolshed Sessions, he plays his handcrafted taonga puoro (musical instruments of the Maori) with several other Wellington bands, including Tahu and Rosy Tin Teacaddy. Al shared some of his favourites from Felt and his thoughts on craft – read the full story here.

Sounds Crafty is a special series of craft showcases picked by Kiwi musicians, bands and DJs, published throughout New Zealand Music Month. Featuring Julia Deans, Urbantramper, Hikoikoi, Rosy Tin Teacaddy, Forbidden Joe, Mea Grenell and ROY G & the BIVinators in 2010, and previously featuring artists such as Minuit’s Ruth Carr, Nathan King, The Twitch’s Fleur Jack, singer/songwriter Flip Grater and Hera, Sounds Crafty brings rhythm and craft together and finds out what NZ musos make of it all.

Which Kiwi muso secretly likes lacy coat hangers? Which singer’s favourite handmade gift was a sparkly handpainted telephone? These intriguing questions and more will be answered on Felt during the month of May. Stayed tuned!

ROY G and the BIVinators are led by the multi-talented Maz Hermon, whose roles include those of drummer, lead guitarist and vocalist, audio engineer and illustrator for their debut album The Rainbow Throw. Joining Maz on the stage you’re likely to find many of Wellington’s eclectic, talented and well known musicians playing a lively mix of soul, folk and funk. Maz and Sunni shared their take on the craft scene – read the full story here.

Sounds Crafty is a special series of craft showcases picked by Kiwi musicians, bands and DJs, published throughout New Zealand Music Month. So far featuring Julia Deans, Urbantramper, Hikoikoi, Rosy Tin Teacaddy, Forbidden Joe and Mea Grenell in 2010, and previously featuring artists such as Minuit’s Ruth Carr, Nathan King, The Twitch’s Fleur Jack, singer/songwriter Flip Grater and Hera, Sounds Crafty brings rhythm and craft together and finds out what NZ musos make of it all.

Which Kiwi muso secretly likes lacy coat hangers? Which singer’s favourite handmade gift was a sparkly handpainted telephone? These intriguing questions and more will be answered on Felt during the month of May. Stayed tuned!

Singer/songwriter Mea Grenell currently resides in Wellington, performing solo and with Jessie Moss in folk duo Harriet and the Matches. In the midst of recording her next solo album, due to be released this spring, Mea took a moment to choose handmade treats on Felt and share her thoughts on craft – read the full story here.

Sounds Crafty is a special series of craft showcases picked by Kiwi musicians, bands and DJs, published throughout New Zealand Music Month. So far featuring Julia Deans, Urbantramper, Hikoikoi, Rosy Tin Teacaddy and Forbidden Joe in 2010, and previously featuring artists such as Minuit’s Ruth Carr, Nathan King, The Twitch’s Fleur Jack, singer/songwriter Flip Grater and Hera, Sounds Crafty brings rhythm and craft together and finds out what NZ musos make of it all.

Which singer’s mosaic lion took pride of place in her dad’s garage? Which Kiwi muso secretly likes lacy coat hangers? These intriguing questions and many more will be answered on Felt during the month of May. Stayed tuned!

Don’t let anyone tell you folk isn’t cool. Auckland alt-folk 3 piece Forbidden Joe brings together the diverse musical backgrounds of Frances Dickinson, Emily Giles and Alex Borwick and the unique instrumentation of concertina, banjo, cello and trombone, to create an unprecedented contemporary folk sound. Frances picked a few favourites on Felt and revealed her crafty side – read the full story here.

Sounds Crafty is a special series of craft showcases picked by Kiwi musicians, bands and DJs, published throughout New Zealand Music Month. Featuring Julia Deans, Urbantramper, Hikoikoi and Rosy Tin Teacaddy in 2010, and previously featuring artists such as Minuit’s Ruth Carr, Nathan King, The Twitch’s Fleur Jack, singer/songwriter Flip Grater and Hera, Sounds Crafty brings rhythm and craft together and finds out what NZ musos make of it all.

Which singer’s mosaic lion took pride of place in her dad’s garage? Which Kiwi muso secretly likes lacy coat hangers? These intriguing questions and many more will be answered on Felt during the month of May. Stayed tuned!

Billy Earl and Betty Grey are the musical talent of Wellington indie-folk group, Rosy Tin Teacaddy. Recipients of a Wild Creations fund courtesy of Creative NZ and DOC, they are currently installed in a cottage overlooking Lake Tarawera, immersed in writing and recording a new album – but they took a wee break to talk craft and pick out some Felt favourites over a cuppa…read the full story here.

Sounds Crafty is a special series of craft showcases picked by Kiwi musicians, bands and DJs, published throughout New Zealand Music Month. Starting off in 2010 with Julia Deans, Urbantramper and Hikoikoi, and previously featuring artists such as Minuit’s Ruth Carr, Nathan King, The Twitch’s Fleur Jack, singer/songwriter Flip Grater and Hera, Sounds Crafty brings rhythm and craft together and finds out what NZ musos make of it all.

Which singer’s mosaic lion took pride of place in her dad’s garage? Which Kiwi muso secretly likes lacy coat hangers? These intriguing questions and many more will be answered on Felt during the month of May. Stayed tuned!

3-piece roots/rock/soul group Hikoikoi have opened for The Original Wailers and appeared at numerous festivals around New Zealand over the last 3 years, including Auckland City Music in the Parks and Wellington’s One Love Festival. Influenced by early gospel and roots reggae, Hikoikoi’s signature sound incorporates jazz and funk grooves and unique vocals. Pianist James Coyle picked out some favourites on Felt and let us in on his artistic inclinations – read the full story here.

Sounds Crafty is a special series of craft showcases picked by Kiwi musicians, bands and DJs, published throughout New Zealand Music Month. Starting off in 2010 with Julia Deans and Urbantramper, and previously featuring artists such as Minuit’s Ruth Carr, Nathan King, The Twitch’s Fleur Jack, singer/songwriter Flip Grater and Hera, Sounds Crafty brings rhythm and craft together and finds out what NZ musos make of it all.

Whose music is like a hand-knitted cardigan lined with cryptic crosswords? Which singer’s mosaic lion took pride of place in her dad’s garage? These intriguing questions and many more will be answered on Felt during the month of May. Stayed tuned!

From melodica, harmonica, glockenspiel, tambourine and trombone, Wellington folk pop five piece Urbantramper draw their soulful ballads, driving beats and beautiful harmonies. They’ve toured in New Zealand, Australia, Europe and the UK, played alongside the likes of Calexico, So So Modern, Blitzen Trapper and Cut Off Your Hands, and this Thursday 6 May from 7pm, they’re playing the Late Lounge at TheNewDowse. Lake and Eli took the time to pick some favourites on Felt and share their thoughts on craft – read the full story here.

Sounds Crafty is a special series of craft showcases picked by Kiwi musicians, bands and DJs, published throughout New Zealand Music Month. Starting off in 2010 with Julia Deans, and previously featuring artists such as Minuit’s Ruth Carr, Nathan King, The Twitch’s Fleur Jack, singer/songwriter Flip Grater and Hera, Sounds Crafty brings rhythm and craft together and finds out what NZ musos make of it all.

Whose music is like a hand-knitted cardigan lined with cryptic crosswords? Which singer’s mosaic lion took pride of place in her dad’s garage? These intriguing questions and many more will be answered on Felt during the month of May. Stayed tuned!

Photograph of Lake and Eli courtesy of Aaron Burgess.

Best known as the stunning voice of Fur Patrol, Julia Deans is currently building her reputation as a solo artist. She collaborated with Tiki Taane on Past, Present, Future, and last year toured with singer/songwriter and fellow Cantabrian Anika Moa. Now her own much anticipated debut solo album is just around the corner. Fresh from her recent tour of New Zealand, Julia reveals her crafty background and shares a few of her favourites from Felt – read the full story here.

Sounds Crafty is a special series of craft showcases picked by Kiwi musicians, bands and DJs, published throughout New Zealand Music Month. Previously featuring artists such as Minuit’s Ruth Carr, Nathan King, The Twitch’s Fleur Jack, singer/songwriter Flip Grater and Hera, Sounds Crafty brings rhythm and craft together and finds out what NZ musos make of it all.

Whose music is like a hand-knitted cardigan lined with cryptic crosswords? Which well-known Kiwi singer/songwriter comes from a long line of Canterbury artists and crafters? These intriguing questions and many more will be answered on Felt during the month of May. Stayed tuned!

Photograph of Julia courtesy of Sunday Star Times.

New Zealand Music Month kicks off tomorrow, so it’s time for a new series of Sounds Crafty!

Last year Sounds Crafty featured such talented Kiwi musicians as Nathan King, Minuit’s Ruth Carr, Hera, Flip Grater and The Phoenix Foundation. Now aren’t you curious to know who it’s going to be this year?

Whose music is like a hand-knitted cardigan lined with cryptic crosswords? Which well-known Kiwi singer/songwriter comes from a long line of Canterbury artists and crafters? These intriguing questions and many more will be answered on Felt during the month of May. Stayed tuned!