If you want to make it as a musician in New Zealand, you've got to be versatile - which explains why Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper has appeared in the Auckland Arts Festival with the band Kittens of the Internet and, this week, as a member of string quartet, The Black Quartet.
Founded by Bridgman-Cooper and Jess Hindin, The Black Quartet bring a contemporary touch to classical ensemble music and has played with everyone from Kanye West through to our own Six60 and Ladyhawke.
Named for the colour of the clothes classical musicians favour, the musicians have featured in TV commercials and on shows like The X-Factor, performed at outdoor festivals and played alongside orchestras like the Auckland Philharmonia.
The group's versatility comes into play again in its Auckland Arts Festival show, The Black Quartet with Special Guests, where they perform with Tiny Ruins, Lawrence Arabia and Rob Ruha. Bridgman-Cooper says they've devised some arrangements which may surprise.
"We're going to do a whole bunch of things, including an '80s hit by the band a-ha which we think sounds pretty cool," he says.
