Artists unite for Summer Sesh ’11

THIS time a year ago, Gisborne’s Rory White was running around carrying out the myriad of tasks that were required to put together the Summer Sesh mini music festival. He wasn’t much of a musician himself, he said at the time, but he wanted to make sure there was a fun post-Christmas live music event for everyone to enjoy.
Fast forward 12 months and things are a little different.
White and his promotions partner Hilton Goldsmith are still running around organising the 2011 Summer Sesh, which will be on at industrial subdivision venue Smash Palace on December 27. But after eight months of rehearsal White, too, will be on stage, playing bass with “scum punk” band The Vomitrons, formed with Goldsmith (drums) and guitarist Jason Chambers.
“We’ve already played some pretty random shows from a 70th birthday party to the odd pub gig so we’re stoked to be doing the Summer Sesh,” White says. “Our set is about half originals and half punk covers from the late 1970s and early 80s, but we’re working towards having a full set of originals.”
It’s lucky the White/Goldsmith promo team is organised. As well as playing their own set they have 15 other acts to wrangle on stage, on time, for the all-day event. And in keeping with Summer Sesh tradition, the line-up reflects a diverse range of musical genre.
There is certainly an accent on the heavy, as indicated by the booking of hardcore bands like Wellington bands Evil In Eden and Polter, along with Gisborne’s own Horsamiss, Wolfe and Saving Grace.
But there’s some fun rock and roll, too, in the form of headliners The Twitch (Auckland).
In between there is everything from reggae (Soul Society) and acoustic solos (Greg McHugh, Day Whaanga) to beatboxing (Treble) and DJ sets (Hat, Scotty T, Ollus).
And there are even a couple of reunions, pop-punk duo The Rockets Jocks is getting together for the occasion, as is The Fat Lane, made up of three-quarters of former Gisborne dub/punk quartet Skankamelia.
White says the fact that many of the nearly 50 performers have returned from out of town – or out of the country – to play the Sesh is a reflection of the entire purpose of the event.
“We would have had about 300 people through the course of last year’s Sesh and most of them were locals or former locals who were keen to catch up with friends they might not otherwise get to see,” he said.
“Plus it gives lots of local musicians the chance to get up and play on a decent stage with a decent set up.”
Introducing the DJ element would make the event more seamless, White added.
“It means that there will be sounds even when we are doing the changeover between bands. Plus we have a set-up inside as well as the outdoor stage, so there are more options for people.”
The Summer Sesh had its foundations in 2002 when White thought it would be a good idea to organise a reunion for the members of former Gisborne band Minus Title, who happened to be back in town. It was relaunched in 2009 and by 2010 had grown to the point where the organisers had a dozen local and out-of-town bands on the bill.
In addition to the line-up, White believes the event’s success is due to its location, the “quirky, museum-like feel” of Smash Palace offering a relaxed atmosphere that people found welcoming.
“There are always heaps of people in town over the Christmas/New Year period,” he said. “We want the Sesh to be somewhere they can get together and enjoy each other’s company while listening to some great sounds.”
■ Summer Sesh 2011 will be on at Smash Palace next Tuesday, December 27 (2pm until late). Presales at Sunshine Brewery or tickets at the door.