Into The East & The Federal String Band

Performing for one night only a chance to take in an up close and personal show with two of folks finest New Zealand  acoustic acts at your very own Bent Horseshoe café , the days following see them both as guests at the 20th anniversary of the Wellington Folk Festival ……Pre sale tickets are $15  available from the venue or on eventfinder  door sales will be $20

The Federal String Band (formerly The FEDZ), featuring Frank John on fingerstyle lead guitar, Erin Manu on rhythm guitar/banjo, Andrew Bicknell on double bass and Cameron Burnell on mandolin are known for tight three part harmonies and sing a unique range of  styles, from railroad hollers and gravelly delta blues to country, gospel and the high lonesome sound typical of bluegrass music. They play a combination of acoustic stringed instruments and bring together a delightful collection of their favourite old and new Americana songs, from the traditional to the alternative. Their sound is heavily influenced by traditional American roots music. They perform in the styles of high energy bluegrass, lonesome blues, heartfelt ballads and country-swing, including rousing standards and their own compositions.

Describing Into The East is like walking through a Baz Luhrmann film. It’s watching old friends bounce on a trampoline whilst pouring their souls onto a kaleidoscope. It’s laughing until your chest burns, falling into a spiral of doubt then catapulting into an ocean of open arms. 

Since busting onto the scene as a pair of Southern unknowns in 2013, Graeme Woller & Liv McBride have gathered a strong following thanks to their tight performances & crystalline sound that has been described as Fleetwood Mac with the poetic & harmonic charm of Simon & Garfunkel. 

Critics cannot find fault in debut album Fight From The Inside “Think Fairport Convention taking Neil Young’s acoustic vision apart and building something new with the bones of Sheryl Crow.” (NZ Musician Magazine)

 
In the 10 months since debuting, Into The East have perpetually toured Aotearoa, picking up nominations for Best NZ Folk Album, a nomination for the highly regarded Taite Music Prize & a win in the form of APRA Album Of The Year & Band Of The Year at the 2014 Southland Entertainment Awards.