Arts and Events at Le Café Picton

We at Le Café are constantly trying to offer a platform to interesting artists in both visual arts as well as live music of all styles. Over the past three years Le Café has become a fixture on the tour circuit of national and international musicians.

Fernando Aragones

“A unique fusion of acoustic dub/folk/soul with authentic Brazilian grooves…”

Fernando Aragones is heading for the shores of New Zealand again, and if you missed him at The Christchurch Arts Festival last year, this is your chance to catch his unique acoustic dub/folk/soul/samba infused mix, from North to South and all good places in between.

Featuring his trademark strong and soulful vocals, his dynamic live offering is unique not only in sound, but also in style, as an experienced drummer and percussionist Fernando incorporates live beats, rhythmic elements and dub sounds, with the use of delay pedals and a loop station to produce a full and uninhibited acoustic set.

Touching down in Auckland early August, he’ll kick off at the infamous Racket, before heading south to Wellington performing at the legendary Matterhorn. Crossing the channel it’s then off to The Boathouse in Nelson, followed by the charming le Café in Picton. It’s then southward bound for Cartel in Christchurch and over to the winter wonderland of Wanaka, where he’ll feature at the super stylish Barluga, before an epic five consecutive night feature at the Queenstown Adventure Film Festival.

The last year has seen Fernando tour the globe extensively, sharing his stunning melodies with large to intimate audiences, at numerous festivals, as well as television and radio performances. Following his tour of the South Island of New Zealand last year, he embarked upon to a European adventure, performing throughout France, Belgium, the Netherland and the UK. Crossing continents, it was then onto Brazil before returning ‘home’ to Australia where his performances at premier venues including The Basement and LIzotte’s were epic. The combination of his charming stage presence and continued solid airplay on national stations across Australia and Brazil, ensure that this sound is spreading fast!

Rapidly gaining international recognition, this is a show not to be missed. Fernando’s tunes can be heard at www.myspace.com/fernandoaragones where full gig listings/photo’s and bio can also be viewed.

The Left Or Right Soundsystem

features 2 of the 3 members of the full Left Or Right band. This act is not shy of touring all the charasmatic wee towns of New Zealand. The Soundsystem includes versions of Left Or Right songs & a few treats & suprises thrown in for those lucky enough to witness the project on their upcoming tour of the West Coast & the South Island in August.

In late 2009 the full Left Or Right line up played 19 shows on a grinding tour of N.Z to promote their debut record “Nuggety”. The record is released on 12” Brown Vinyl format as well as on C.D, Cassette & online @ I TUNES. “Nuggety” is now available at record stores and at all Left Or Right’s up coming shows. The music itself differs from that around NZ at the moment, yet remains appealing & is sure to keep you guessing. Left Or Right completed a run of summer shows & festivals including the epic PHAT 10 on the West Coast of the South Island.

The Porpoise is a one man that features the alter-ego of Left Or Right guitarist Callum Hampton. He has recently completed an extensive South Island tour with fellow Dunedin bands Alizarin Lizard & The Something Quartet. The Porpoise has been in hibernation forever. He has recently woken up and discovered the power of the Casiotone CT-360, the left handed distorted bass & the authority of ‘Doof Crack’.

For more information check out...
www.myspace.com/leftorright
www.facebook.com/leftorright
www.leftorright.co.nz

"Available on collectors’ edition brown 12" vinyl, CD, online, and very kindly, on cassette “for those still with tape players in the car”. Basically, this band can go in any direction. Dub it up, space it out or just lay it down. Whilst they may borrow from every decade, they put it together very well"
Ania Glowacz - NZ Musician Magazine

"a seemingly strange blend that manages to sound like a perfect soundtrack to New Zealand’s golden age of hippy-tinged music festivals of the seventies and eighties. Trumpets and easy going humour are the icing on the cake."
Dave Ager - 91fm Radio 1 - Dunedin outake from www.dunedinmusic.com

"The debut record... Nuggety satisfies abundantly because of the quality of its performance, which is exceptional, and its fluid shifts in tempo and style. Hold on tight, this is quite a ride."
Chris Chilton - The Southland Times www.stuff.co.nz

Check out the vids:

R with Jonathan Harper (0:33)

Cornerstone Roots (2:44)

The Hot Grits at Le Cafe Picton

©Jim Tannock