March 23, 2018

Tami Neilson Announces New Album Sassafrass! & NZ Tour

Tami Neilson will release her new record SASSAFRASS! on June 1, ahead of a seven-date tour of New Zealand. Presented by Sunday Star Times and Under the Radar, the tour takes in some of the country’s most beautiful and iconic theatres, kicking off in Nelson on July 26 and ending in Auckland on August 4.

The award-winning Canadian-born, New Zealand-based singer-songwriter today gives fans a taste of what’s to come on SASSAFRASS!, with the album’s lead single ‘Stay Outta My Business’.

Listen to ‘Stay Outta My Business’ here: Spotify / iTunes / Apple Music

‘Stay Outta My Business’ is a sassy, brassy soul number, which finds Neilson fighting back at trash-talkers in splendidly defiant, hip-shaking fashion, paving the way for the June 1 release of SASSAFRASS!

Taking its name from ‘sassafrass’ – slang for a sassy person who isn’t afraid to speak her mind – the album places a heavier emphasis on soul music while not abandoning her country and rockabilly roots. Neilson conjures up a wonderfully retro style that sounds like it could be a lost gem from the late ’50s or early ’60s; however, beneath the classic veneer are frank, highly relevant lyrics.

Neilson’s confident vocals are undoubtedly abetted by her being surrounded by familiar collaborators. She co-produced SASSAFRASS! with Ben Edwards. Edwards also co-produced her last two critically-acclaimed albums, DYNAMITE! and DON’T BE AFRAID, alongside Delaney Davidson.

Backing her up in the studio on SASSAFRASS! was her talented band, the Hot Rockin’ Band of Rhythm: Joe McCallum (drums), Mike Hall (bass), Brett Adams (guitar) and Neil Watson (guitar and pedal steel), who have toured with her around the globe over the past three years. A brass section and strings enhance the album’s classic qualities.

For the past decade, Neilson has been an integral part of the New Zealand music scene, with countless accolades and achievements to her name, including a handful of ‘Best Country Album’ awards at the New Zealand Music Awards and the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll for excellence in songwriting.

She has also built up a loyal fan-base who know they’re guaranteed one hell of a show, when it comes to her live performances and that’s certainly what’s in store for the SASSAFRASS! Tour, which sees Neilson and the Hot Rockin’ Band of Rhythm play at Nelson’s Theatre Royal on Thursday, July 26; Christchurch’s Isaac Theatre Royal on Friday, July 27; Dunedin’s Glenroy Auditorium on Saturday, July 28; Hamilton’s Clarence Street on Wednesday, August 1; Napier’s MTG Century Theatre on Thursday, August 2; Wellington’s Opera House on Friday, August 3 and Auckland’s Town Hall on Saturday, August 4.