Now this is Bluegrass Incarnate! Taranaki’s wonderful Turkey The Bird continues to get me slappin’ my thigh at their authentic, organic, stripped-back Cajun-inspired sound. New single Stone Wall Creek is a complete delight for any fans of the genre AND fans of the band.

We’ve got banjos, I think some mandolin (?), guitars, some of Mama’s own percussion and a melody straight outta the sticks. I can smell the Po Boys and Gumbo. What a great vocal delivery too. It’s simple in its notes, measured in its harmonies, an undeniable dance inspiring tempo and lyrical rhythm, and just to add that final touch of Bluegrass it’s got the faintest whiff of Gospel.

Now, this is really cool for me personally too because it’s written about a time band member Sol paid a visit to one of the rugged coastline communities in my South Wairarapa neck of the woods, Ngawi. I’ve personally been there a number of times, to the remote lighthouse at famous and historic Cape Palliser, or to the colony of cantankerous Seals that live – and smell – nearby. Ngawi is somewhat interesting to get to, being a small community based at the foot of the North Island along a coastline known for its challenging terrain. The beaches range from shale and pebble, through volcanic black sand, to the tourist beaches of Riversdale and Castlepoint. Ngawi, for its size and remoteness, actually has the largest population of bulldozers per capita in the world. Random.

The song aims to capture the feeling of rugged beauty and the power and strength of Mama Nature that one cannot help but feel when one is in that particular area. I think they do it very well, with their genuine pleasure in their tools of trade and the recognition that they have found kindred spirits with whom to harmonize and bask in the enjoyment of music made great, and made from the warm and breathing folkie (with a small f) instrumentation they deliver collectively. They are accomplished musicians, and have orchestrated this beautifully. The simplicity of the end sound belies the complexity behind the instrumentation, composition and subsequent mix and master.

This is a track that will – I repeat, WILL – get you dancing when you get to see Turkey The Bird play. I see it’s had some airplay on RDU, and I strongly expect RadioActive, 95bFM, and the regional stations to get behind this. It’s a wonderful song, full of happy vibes, singalong parts, and there’s that almost hypnotic compulsion to get up and git on down that you won’t escape.

Turkey The Bird remains consistently a smile factory for me. Have a listen to the track on the Spotify now. You’ll let out at least three Yeehaws before the track ends.