Pacific Curls

Artist Information

Biography

With their World-ribbed sounds, precise arrangements and a catalogue of songs Pacific Curls make music that is both worldly and enthralling. The three members have accumulated an impressive instrumental collection featuring the ukulele, cajon, fiddle, Taonga Puoro - traditional Maori instruments, guitar, stomp box, kalimba, various percussive instruments and vocals with lyrics in Te Reo Maori, Rotuman and English.

Kim Halliday, Ora Barlow and Sarah Beattie perform music with depth and originality that touches the inner essence of their musicality. With a cornerstone of backbeat Pacific rhythms, vivacious fiddle playing and evocative Maori instrumentation and lyrics, Pacific Curls have pioneered a fusion sound that seamlessly blend their indigenous roots. Classifying their sound is a challenge. Their use of jazz chordal transitions, traditional fiddle tunes, expressive vocals, political and moving lyrics in Maori and English, their use of world instruments with Pacific style beats and moods, shakes and bakes it all into a contemporary intriguing edginess.

With an international audience rapidly growing particularly after appearances at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games celebrations, WOMAD NZ 2010, WOMAD UK 2011, WOMAD Earth Station 2011, City of London Festival, Borneo Rainforest World Music Festival, Vancouver Island Music Festival, Winnipeg Music Festival, Ulsan World Music Festival (Sth Korea) and extensive touring throughout Canada, Australia, South Korea, New Caledonia, Europe and Aotearoa (New Zealand) this is a band that creates a window into the global sounds of the Pacific and beyond. ‘Music is universal, and to discover the music of a culture is to discover the culture as a whole.’ So if you want to put your finger on the pulse of a global sound, check out the Pacific Curls experience.

Instrumentation

Kim Halliday - Guitar, ukulele, Cajon, Kalimba, Footstomp & Vocals
Ora Barlow - Percussion, ukulele, Cajon, Taonga Puoro (Maori flutes) & Vocals
Sarah Beattie - Vocals, Fiddle, Bass.

Discography

Te Po - 2011-Pacific Curls.
Te Kore - 2010 - Pacific Curls.
Pacifi Celta - 2008 - Pacific Curls.
Pacific Swing - 2007 -  Pacific Curls.
Mothersline - 2006 - Pacific Curls.
Maslins Magic EP - 2006 (Sarah Beattie and Kim Halliday)
Reeling in the Pacific - 2006 -  Planet Woman

Official Website

http://www.pacificcurls.com

Links

• MySpace

Audio

• Whakamahana
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• Islands are Sinking
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• Poi Porotiti
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• Fiji Time / Trad
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Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Mike Moroney [+ Show ]
  

  These three strong female musician steeped in Maori and Pacific traditions bring a delightful contem...These three strong female musician steeped in Maori and Pacific traditions bring a delightful contemporary perspective to their waiata, proving (as it’s needed to be) that the Indigenous music of our neighbourhood is healthy and bourgeoning. The harmonies on this recording are delightful, as is the virtuoso ukulele playing of Kim Halliday. The instrumental tracks Flukey Ukey is inspired. Songs are in Maori and English, including the beautiful Purea Nei by the late Hirini Melbourne. One can almost feel his spirit departing on the wings of his own lament, such is the rendition given by this trio. Not that this is a sad album by any measure - it swings! And it’s all done with ukulele, guitar and a myriad of percussion from cajon to high-hat. The pacific flavour is reinforced by an ode to sister island Rotuma, a remote Polynesian part of Fiji that Halliday strongly identifies with.
  All in all a rewarding listen.
  

• Mike Jackson [+ Show ]
  

  "..extraordinary, spiritually uplifting yet witty - their voices made in heaven and instrumental ski..."..extraordinary, spiritually uplifting yet witty - their voices made in heaven and instrumental skills to match. The sense of a strong and vibrant musical traditional living on in the trio’s original songs and melodies and their arrangements was all pervasive... Worth a trip to New Zealand just to see them.."

• Martin Tiffany [+ Show ]
  

  This is definitely not what I expected when I put my hand up to give this album a whirl. I listened:...This is definitely not what I expected when I put my hand up to give this album a whirl. I listened: it was not the usual upbeat Pacific rhythms often heard in the islands. It was not the fusion-Pacific hip-hop favoured by the younger Pacific people in New Zealand - as often heard on Niu FM. It was not the gentle island sound that makes you think of the breeze through the coconut trees and balmy island nights. I listened further. I jumped on the net and did some research on Pacific Curls. Words such as "extraordinary", "spiritually uplifting", "different" and "refreshing" pop up when people describe the group and its music. I nod in agreement when reading these descriptions. I would probably also add "haunting". I find out the trio - of Maori / Pacific origin - are Ora Barlow, Kim Halliday and Mahina Kaui - women with great voices, an impressive resume of performing experience and musical talent, including being able to play a raft of instruments, many traditional. The original songs, melodies and arrangements were all pervasive, and most underpinned by a ukulele backbeat. It's a smooth combination of swing and jazz, all mixed up in a pot of haunting Pacific sounds.

• Pacific Curls in Pao Pao Pao [+ Show ]
  

  Reviewed by Simon Sweetman Dominion Post, Wellington Monday 5 November 2007 The first thing we ...Reviewed by Simon Sweetman
  Dominion Post, Wellington
  Monday 5 November 2007
  
  The first thing we learned in this celebration of Maori music – for those that did not know already – is that this world actually incorporates several worlds, blurring genres, taking from other cultures, staying true to tradition – as well as spreading out to hint at new trends. This year’s Pao Pao Pao show saw Matai Smith reprise his role as the MC; effortlessly filling the gaps between acts with lighthearted comic relief and constantly spreading the vibe of good cheer .…
  The stage crew worked swiftly and the diverse lineup all received their 15 minutes of fame.
  From the big names (Moana & The Tribe, Whirimako Black) through to the stars of tomorrow (Zero T), all of the acts received huge applause; and – importantly – all were worthy of the adulation.
  Highlights included the short set by Whirimako Black, showcasing her stunning voice…
  I was really impressed by the performance from Gisborne’s young crew, Zero T …
  It is impossible to fault entertainment that moves people and allows us all to enjoy an aspect of a culture that is important to our country.
  Pacific Curls, three female musicians that fuse Celtic and Pacific musical styles, using ukulele, guitar, fiddle and percussion, were the other standout act for me. A great night.
  

Setlist

We do two sets of approx 45 mins.  90% of our material is original - the other 10 % is a combination of traditional Scottish Reels and traditional Pasifik / Maori Songs. Our typical repertoire is an eclectic combination of predominately original material:Islands are Sinking, Poi Porotiti, Kalimba Trance, Define Yourself, Whakamahana, Marnie Swanson and Jews Cruise, The Riverhouse, Whakarongoka pa te karanga, He Pouri, Fiji Time/Traditional Scottish Reels, Rangimarie, Nadi to Nasouri, Te Kaha Reel, Orange Blossum, ETC...

Basic Requirements

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