Back home in NZ, the leads of Her Make Believe Band will go on tour soon. By Paula Yeoman.
It is a familiar occurrence - young Kiwi musicians heading off overseas looking for their big break. But the tide is flowing in the opposite direction for Her Make Believe Band; now home to stay.
Unlike most groups who form locally before heading off, Cy Winstanley and Vanessa McGowan formed Her Make Believe Band in London.
"I'd been there for seven years and Vanessa for four or five and I just think we'd had our fill," says Winstanley.
McGowan adds that after their New Zealand tour early in 2010, they returned to London with heavy hearts. "We got back in May and within a week we'd booked out tickets back - it was like, 'We're done'."
The pair is now determined to make a go of it in Auckland but admit it's a daunting prospect given the positive reception they received in the UK for their debut album AM Radio, including a rave review from Uncut magazine.
"It's different here, maybe there are less opportunities because it's smaller. But musically, in terms of the mindset you're in when you're not fighting to exist in a society like London, I find I'm writing a lot more," says McGowan.
"I think there are a lot of misconceptions about London being this great city for music," says Winstanley. "But it's so difficult; it's so expensive and what you need to do is let your music breathe."
As well as working on a second album, Winstanley and McGowan are preparing to hit the road again, this time touring with The Bads throughout February.
They'll perform as a duo - unlike on the album where they play with a band.
And they've hand-picked their venues, with a focus on creating the perfect live setting for their atmospheric blend of Americana fused with jazz, folk and soul. "We're doing all cabaret or theatre-style places because we flourish in a quiet, intimate environment," says McGowan. "We don't like playing in noisy bars and the people that come to see us don't like seeing us in noisy bars."
"We're not a party band," chips in Winstanley.
"No. We're not a party band," smiles McGowan. "We're a listening band."
Her Make Believe Band play at the Classic in Auckland on Sunday, February 20. For more dates visit hermakebelieveband.com
- Herald On Sunday / View
