A band I used to be in - The Friendly Barnacle

About 5 years ago I was in a band called 'The Friendly Barnacle' led by Warner Emery. Warner made music that reminded me of The Bats, The Clean, Pavement etc. It was an awesome band. Warner and I toured the country as a two piece (me on synths, BV's and percussion and Warner on mini guitar and singing). We played lots of gigs as a 4 piece band band too (Lee Prebble on guitar, Poppy Sinclair Lockhart/Andrew Bain on bass). On one tour Minisnap opened for us! At the Wunderbar. That was a night I will never forget.

Warner taught me how to perform, be a great backing vocalist, how to play the synth and how to be in a band. His songs taught me how to write. He would spend hours practicing with me, he would teach me the lead synth lines and what sounds to use. I am very grateful for his patience and generosity. He gave me the confidence to be the musician I now am.

You can listen to The Friendly Barnacle here: http://www.myspace.com/thefriendlybarnacle
You can see us on youtube here playing at a live to air on bfm: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8AaOBVqKX8
and doing a live to air on kiwiFM for NZ music month 2009: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VudlcWmlIG4

I'm the one in the bright pink jersey with my head down. Beware of the glare!

Some facts about Warner:

• He was bassist in The Phoenix Foundation until a few years ago
• He released his first solo album 'The Tides' in 2008. Here's a review by NZ Musician. I sang on a few tracks (The Tides, Glorious Days etc). 
• As a band we recorded a single 'I brought you a Robot' and 'The Old and Forlorn' in 2009/2010.
• He owns a recording studio called 'Emery Music Services' in Wellington, where I have been recording my current album.
• He now has a solo act called 'Double ya D'. He released an awesome EP last year through Stink Magnetic http://doubleyad.bandcamp.com