August 16th 2019, Totara St
Fell in love with the long hair, tight pants and hip whirls back on the 17thNovember last year at Mount Maunganui’s Beach Goth. Mini Simmons continually bring the kinda vibe when they play that makes you want to express your inner 70s rock and roll through singing your lungs out and movin n groovin. Their music style is unique and is incomparable to any other rising NZ band. Holds a new and refreshing twist on today’s typical music outlook. I’d class their genre as alternative, blues rock with a lil extra sriracha sauce and a swig of Jack Daniels.
After Beach Goth I got right into their music and followed their summer. I next saw them at Tides festival on New Year’s Eve hosted by gunandcoco at Our Place, Tauranga. Line-up for Tides festival was epic, could claim second best line-up of the underground summer coming in behind Nest Fest where Mini Simmons also featured. Have had the absolute pleasure of getting to chat with Mini Simmons a few times and their sheer glowing souls and pure gratefulness for their fans is warming and adds to what the group bring to the music industry not only here in New Zealand but also abroad. Like their trip to Australia earlier this year playing in Brisbane and Sydney.
Back on the 30thof November 2018 the group released their single ‘Southern Cold’ which claimed their most played song on Spotify for a while and is true delight to the ears. But most recently “A Way with Murder” being released 12thApril has bumped up to top with no surprise…such a tune. As if the single wasn’t enough, the music video to “A Way with Murder” really goes beyond expectations. Such a groovy video created by the talented Christian Tjandrawinata.
Nest Fest was the ultimate summer festival where I got to see some of my all-time favourite bands, Mini Simmons being one of them, on stage in the beautiful Black Barn Vineyards on an even more magical afternoon. No surprises their short and sweet stage time was well packed with prime entertainment. Convincing those just getting into the evening to open up to the experience…how could you not be swayed. After Mini Simmons spiked everyone with energy and excitement, they eventually joined the crowd getting flooded with supportive nest festers. Again, showing their appreciation for their fans and also just enjoying the festival themselves. Earlier this year I bought a Mini Simmons ‘Smoking Dice’ Tee and couldn’t over wear a shirt more, so warming supporting such a band.
The most recent time I got to go to one of their gigs was here in my home grounds, Totara St. Their final gig of their NZ winter tour and definitely sent it off with a night to remember. Was the first-time hearing Joe Ghatt live when he opened for Mini Simmons this night and really blew away what I was expecting. AND to have the stunning Emily McKay jamming out the keys with the lads was an absolute treat!
Looking eagerly forward to future singles, maybe even a fresh EP before summer 19’/20’ ready for the festivals they’ve already got lined up. A fire tour would really top off the summer bucket list too. Can’t wait to see you guys again for the next live show, you guys are always welcome here in Mount Maunganui.
Preash and love,
Felicity x
Balter and Bants 