Local band Sojourn features in summer lineup

 

Formed over the summer of 2018, Sojourn are a 5-piece band from Mangawhai. 

Originally formed by James Finlay (The Vybes, Black Swamp Road), Annaree Peters (The Aloha Corner) and Tony Baker (Less the Harp, The Aloha Corner) the band has gained momentum quickly, and after a flurry of gigs at The Butter Factory, Sawmill Brewery and The Mangawhai Tavern, they have added Jim Bokma (Haze, Mile Zero) on drums and Elias Giles (The Vybes, Black Swamp Road) on keys. 

The band have since played at the Mangawhai Tavern and recently were the main act at the Tastes of the North Food & Wine Festival in Waitangi.

“Our style of music is a mixture of rock, reggae, dub, soul and funk,” says Baker “and in the short time we have been together we have written a handful of original songs. We are playing a show next weekend with Tempist Fujit, along with featuring at Ocean Beats Festival in December, plus in the new year we are at The Opononi Hotel, Toka Fest, Auckland University O-Week and a bunch of other awesome festivals.”

The group is “super proud that we are pushing the musical agenda here in Mangawhai” and would like to take their unique sound across the country. In the meantime they will be part of a live music showcase in conjunction with Morepork Events again at Mangawhai Tavern in November which will bring together a bevvy of top bands and will showcase NZ music at its best. The line-up will include Sojourn along with top Whangarei performers Farandicus and Otium, as well as Auckland's Round Buddah.

There has been a resurgence of good original bands coming out of Northland over the past few years and the Mangawhai Tavern, a musical icon itself, is keen to showcase the event. 

“It’s an exciting time for us, writing new original music, and performing with so many talented bands over the next few months,” adds Baker. “Our sound is very unique, and this has been shaped by our lives growing up here in Mangawhai and Northland, good summer vibes and sharing our synergy.”

Sojourn are set to release their first single ‘Moonbeams’ this month, with an EP release for Summer 2019.

It’s an exciting time for in-demand local band Sojourn and their unique sound. – PHOTO/Supplied