Released tomorrow, Friday 10th May, we get Lady Who?, from New Plymouth-based folk trio Turkey The Bird. This is simply divine.

Firstly, the Taranaki region seems to have a great music scene going on. They are punching well above their population size in the number of class bands coming out of the region. Turkey The Bird is another. Vocalist André Manella is a Swiss-born naturalised Kiwi; he’s joined by Irishman Adrian Whelan, and Kiwi Sol Bear Coulton.

The music is a fabulous blend of mandolins, banjos, guitars, violins, and foot stomping beats that are going to get Gore folk drooling. The lyrics are brilliant. Without giving spoilers, this is a hilarious tale of love gone somewhat… astray… You’ll see what I mean when you hear it.

Vocally André delivers a cheeky tenor, and has a slight Euro twang which really adds to the flavour of the overall mix. All band member are exceptionally proficient at their tools of trade, and the vocal harmony blends they deliver, they deliver well. With a catchy, very commercially viable melody, this song should get heard far and wide. I hope we get a video for it, as it’d likely be highly entertaining based on the tune and the content of the lyrics. The composition is as good as you’d want it to be, orchestration and instruments very fitting and delivered with aplomb and panache. It’s been very well engineered, as it balances out really well in my headphones.

(Actually they’re my almost-9 year old’s headphones. Way better than my ones but he’s at school so it’s happy listening daddy.)

I could see this easily taking off in the USA. With a very definite bluegrass edge to the folky undertone, there’s an enormous market over there for this, especially on the live circuits. Aussie too, I believe. There’s more than sufficient quality to get this airplay on the various stations around the country, plus I’d be pushing for funding for a vid. You don’t ask, you don’t get.

Great work from Turkey The Bird. Highly entertaining and thigh slapping. I’m looking forward to their next one.