Trio tour NZ with new album

Sol3 Mio is coming to the Bay.

On stage they are jolly, jovial jokesters -- in the studio, Sol3 Mio are serious about making music.

It took the trio of tenor brothers Pene and Amitai Pati and baritone cousin Moses Mackay just four days of hard slog to produce a highly anticipated 17-track offering titled On Another Note.

Backing tracks were recorded at the famed Abbey Road Studios and vocals laid at their producer's home out of London.

"It was amazing being in the studio -- there's a lot of history, it makes you motivated -- looking up at the wall at the story of artists like The Beatles it was surreal," Pene said from Auckland last week.

The track list is packed with classics such as That's Amore, Delilah, and Dance with my Father alongside a few more modern surprises.

"We push boundaries to the absolute with big full on arias, fat operas as well as I see Fire by Ed Sheeran and Fix You by Cold Play."

They hoped it would translate to a wide range of people, including a younger demographic.

Sol3 Mio are in New Zealand and excited to officially share their latest offering with fans on Friday, particularly the brothers' father who has played a special part in their musical journey.

"We have been holding on, we have got the album in hand and it's like 'when can we start sharing it?' -- Dad is still pumped with the last album, it's been on repeat in his car for the past two years."

Being home was a nice reprieve after a full on year touring Korea, Japan and Australia -- still spreading the word about their first CD, which continues to capture the attention of audiences worldwide.

Two years after its release, Sol3 Mio has gone 8 times platinum in New Zealand and remains the best-selling album of the year.

Family is still a large part of their lives -- it's what keeps them grounded, it's their motivation.

"If you lose sight of that, you are just doing it for the glory, and that's not us. I think a lot of artists today are not connected to audiences."

On Another Note is an extension of the path Sol3 Mio started out on four years ago -- infused with tales of their experiences as a globetrotting group and showcasing growth as performers.

"We can't wait to hit the road and tour New Zealand again, especially following the release of our new album," Moses added.

"While we love taking our music to all corners of the world, there is nothing quite like playing at home -- it is and will always be our favourite place to tour."

Sol3 Mio recently returned from the UK where they were able to sing for some of the All Blacks side at a London pub.

"They did a big Q&A -- everybody was just blown away. The All Blacks came up to us afterwards saying our song is what gets them pumped up in the changing room -- that was amazing. To be honest, I still pinch myself and I know the others do too."

This week Sol3 Mio announced a 2016 New Zealand tour, also titled On Another Note featuring 12 dates throughout the country in February and March -- including Hawke's Bay on March 2.

They will belt out fresh material, old favourites and beloved classics -- all delivered with trademark wit and humour.

It will be the last time they take the stage together for at least two years as they head into a sabbatical which sees them focus on individual projects.

"I will be based in San Francisco with the opera there, it's good that we have some time to start studying again, with athletes it's like you have got to hit the gym we have got to keep it up."

 Tickets for Sol3 Mio's nationwide tour go on sale from midday this Friday October 9 -- see www.civicevents.co.nz for more details. Their second album On Another Note will be released the same day -- pre-order yours now at sol3mio.com