Erny Belle – Auckland Polish Association: February 19, 2022
Erny Belle turned her album release show into a family affair at the unlikely location known as the Auckland Polish Association.
Erny Belle is Aimee Renata and her album, Venus Is Home, is named after her late ’Nana Venus’. The album has been years in the making, or at least the waiting (click here to watch the 13th Floor interview for more insight).
Finally, the wait was over as Aimee has assembled a band of musicians that are capable of recreating and interpreting the nine songs that make up Venus Is Home.
The venue itself felt friendly and inviting…no attempts to put on airs…no pretentions…much like Erny’s music. Friends and family were part of the 100 strong crowd that came to hear these songs played live for the first time.
Fred Renata
In keeping with that tone, the opening act was Fred Renata, Erny’s dad, who, by day, is an acclaimed cinematographer. But, as he quickly proved, he can sing and play a few tunes as well, beginning his 30 minute set with OMC’s How Bizarre. Stripped down to just voice and guitar, the song took on new meaning as the crowd settled down and focussed on the stage.
I’m assuming the remainder if the songs were Fred originals, but I can’t be sure. Ranata pulled out his harmonica for We Do Not Agree and had everyone singing along to I’m Alright, How About You.
Fred mentioned that he had once been a member of his daughter’s band, but was ‘fired”, so this was his “comeback gig”.
There was plenty of good-natured banter and the music set the mood perfectly.
“I was told not to talk too much” he told us before closing his part of the show with a gospel-like clap-along that may be called Down By The River.
Erny Belle
It was just before 9:30 when Erny and the band made their way to the stage. Aimee was accompanied by 5 other musicians, the one I recognized immediatley was Dave Khan (who seems to be everywhere) playing electric guitar and, later, violin. The others are: Navakatoa Tekela-Pule: Bass, Rewi McLay: Lap Steel, Tiare Kelly: keys and guitar and William Jackson: drums.
The set began with E Wawata and Dave Khan quickly made his presence felt with his twangy guitar.
From there we were treated to all nine songs featured on the album, in slightly different order but starting with Hell Hole and ending with Venus Is Home.
Despite some opening night nerves, Erny Belle’s voice never faltered. In fact, the set built up from a simmering Hell Hole to an explosive (pardon the obvious) Nuclear Bombs, with Aimee jumping off stage and into the crowd while singing the rather dark, disturbing lyric.
The audience reaction?
A voice yelled out, “Love you!” as the song ended.
Other highlights include the pedal steel playing during Baby Blue and Dave Khan’s trance-inducing violin playing during Chuck It In The Trash.
But this was clearing Erny’s/Aimee’s night and she finished the set with a triumphant Venus Is Home.
With this being the first time these musicians have performed these songs in front of a live audience, one wonders how much better they will get with time. Let’s hope they get the chance to put this show on the road.
In the meantime, I’m sure that everyone who attended this debut performance felt very lucky to have been there.
Marty Duda
Click any icon to view a gallery of photos from the show.
Erny Belle Setlist:
- E Wawata
- Hell Hole
- Sorry Not Sorry
- Baby Blue
- Gone Fishing
- Burning In Heaven
- Nuclear Bombs
- Island Time
- Chuck It In The Trash
- Venus Is Home
