Pop meets rock, punk meets funk, Mari Slack is all about music. The debut EP from Christchurch based singer is geared up to be an impressive first release. Though this was produced independently, you wouldn’t know it from a casual (or even careful) listen. Listeners will be impressed with the melodic and yet driving guitar work and be caught off guard by the occasional use of experimental chords. Above all, the powerful vocal Mari delivers will send shivers down anyone’s spine.
Though this EP can be classified as pop-rock, it is by no means generic. It took only one week for the first single, ‘Part of You,’ to make it to the top of The Audience (NZ On Air) online daily chart and to hit number three on Kiwi FM’s Monday evening chart. Other radio stations in New Zealand, Australia and Norway are in the process of adding the song to their playlists, and reviews and interviews are being planned in the coming weeks by various local and national media outlets.
Even as a child growing up in Norway, Mari had a unique and insatiable passion for music. Her dreams of pursuing this passion seemed to take the sideline in her teenage years, and after turning 20 it appeared the doors were closed for good. However, before the dream had crumbled completely, the opportunity for her to jump back on the track and chase after her dream had reemerged. She started seriously writing originals while studying music at Vision College, during which time she met guitarist Josiah Dayo. Taking a risk, in 2012 she approached Josiah about starting a band, and since then things have started snowballing.
Now a solid team has gathered around her – Josiah on guitar, Grace McLean on drums, Jordan McLean on guitar and Phil Parkes on bass – all committed to getting Mari and her music to the world. Today the band are contributing ideas, inspiration, arrangements, and even starting to write songs collaboratively. Coincidently, everyone in the band works with youth so naturally the music has a fresh, jubilant vibe infused with a positive and hopeful outlook.
After years of performing other people’s songs, Mari is finally finding her own voice. The EP will be officially released on the 30th of November during the Samstock music festival in Otago. Upon returning to Christchurch the band plans on performing at various venues as part of their local release effort. The EP will be available on CD, iTunes, Spotify, Bandcamp, CD Baby, Amazon, Google Play, Rhapsody, etc.
Catch Mari Slack and her band at Dux Live on Thurs 16 January, 2014!
