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Barnaby is sitting pretty

Written by Mike Alexander

06 September 2011

Fly My Pretties frontman Barnaby Weir is teaming up with Anika Moa then taking to the road with an all-new lineup. Mike Alexander (from www.stuff.co.nz) asks him a few irreverent questions.

You never do things by half, is that because you are a showman by nature or just a show-off? I guess I have a tendency to be a bit of a show-off, yes, but showman is a better way to put it. Basically us musos say, ‘‘Hey everyone, look at me and listen to me - and also pay at the door, please.''

Anika Moa is meant to be on maternity leave (her partner has recently had twins). How could you? I know the timing is probably not ideal for her but she assures me it will be fine. Anika is calling the shots on this tour. I'm looking forward to this. Anika is a fun lady. I get to play solo, a bit different for me, but she does it all the time. Mega.

When you said the tour with Anika would take in ‘‘nooks and crannies'' you meant it. Harrington Hall? Where did you find these venues and are they all safe? Yes, they are safe. Promise. Anika likes to play places off the beaten track and me too - the heart of rural NZ, mate! Small town locals generally have big personalities and a good sense of humour. No doubt they'll heckle the crap outta me.

First your solo tour and then you're doing the big stage thingy with Fly My Pretties. Are you bored? Are you having a midwinter meltdown? No, I'm not bored, just keeping myself employed. Next year will involve more international travel though with The Black Seeds and I've had some good trips to Aussie, Fiji, New Caledonia and Thailand this year already. Bastard, I know.

Love the Heart Strings project (seven guitars crafted from the timber of Christchurch buildings devastated by the earthquakes). I can't think of anything even slightly objectionable to ask except that are you concerned, given the Epicentre Guitar's history, that when you play it, you might bring the house down? Certainly, it's a clever concept and a great cause. I'm definitely keen to shred the gat on a few songs. They look amazing and have been crafted really well. I don't play House much on the guitar though.

How did you find out about the project? Creative NZ knew we were about to embark on a tour and suggested we get involved with Heart Strings, which was an easy decision to make.

Do you know how the guitar sounds? No I don't. But it's obviously been handcrafted with a lot of care and expertise and the materials are unique, so I'm expecting a good sound, for sure. I'm excited to play it.

Why only one, who gets to play the other six? Let's not be greedy, one will be just fine! The other six will be adopted by others and displayed around the country.

ANIKA & BARNABY TOUR DATES:

Thu Sept 15	Auckland, Hopetoun Alpha
Fri Sept 16	Matakana, Ascension Wine Estate
Sat Sept 17	Pukekohe, Harrington Hall Theatre
Thu Sept 29	Raglan, Town Hall
Fri Sept 30	Whakatane, The Charter Club
Sat Oct 1	Havelock North, Underground Cellar
Thu Oct 6	Wellington, The Garden Club
Fri Oct 7	Hokitika, Regent Theatre
Sat Oct 8	Nelson, The Boat House
Thu Oct 13	Dunedin, Chicks Hotel
Fri Oct 14	Wanaka, Rippon Hall
Sat Oct 15	Lyttleton, Wunderbar
Sun Oct 16	Geraldine, Cinema