STRIKE's news

Murray in Elemental Sound System

A highlight for the Fringe Festival and for Downstage. The air in the packed out theatre was sizzling with anticipation, and we were not disappointed. Heather McDonald, Wotzon

Tim in Elemental Tim and Murray in Elemental
STRIKE Session with Adam Page @ Downstage Theatre Wellington 14 July–1 August
Strike and Adam Page join forces to bring you contemporary theatre at its very best, fusing ground-breaking composition and world-class musicianship with inventive instruments for an exhilarating trans-Tasman music experience. Book at Downstage
STRIKE Soundsystem
Showcasing live favourites and tracks from their brand new album, STRIKE Soundsystem brings the exhilaration of four live percussionists who beat, bang, hammer and cajole a range of traditional and custom-made instruments into life in an exciting one-off concert. STRIKE also enlisted the talents of local diva Lisa Tomlins (The Eggs), Mana (Rhombus) and hip hop/breaks DJ Samu (aka Sam Minns) — all of whom feature on STRIKE's new album.
STRIKE play with Kora at NZ Music Awards
Kora and STRIKE played a live version of "Skankenstein" at the 2008 Vodafone Music Awards. See the clip on YouTube
STRIKE to record new album at Karekare this summer
That's right, a brand new album with all the STRIKE favourites, plus some new collaborations with MC Mana, Lisa Tomlins and Samu. Made with some funding from Creative NZ, the album will be produced by Nigel Horrocks and Ollivier Ballester.
The Big Beat @ Capital E
You may have been lucky enough to be part of the September school holiday workshops at Capital E. STRIKE were there giving workshops and performances to Wellington kids. Stay tuned for more Capital E adventures in 2009.
Bye Tim!
STRIKE member Tim Whitta has departed NZ to live in London for a while but luckily he's coming back to play on the album. Takumi Motokawa is now a full time member of the group.
Elemental was at Downstage in July

Fusion of the elements strikes a glorious chord
… very much a show, rather than a concert. Filled with movement, shadow, space, light, darkness, mime and — most gloriously — drums, STRIKE's Elemental is the best show I have seen from the talented quartet.
Simon Sweetman, Dominion Post, 2008

Striking a blow for nonverbal theatre
Murray Hickman, Tom Pierard, Leni Sulusi and Tim Whitta are earthed in their consummate and composite musicianship as they extract extraordinary sounds and rhythms from instruments wrought from minerals: metals, glass, ceramics and plastics. And skins, of course. Read John Smythe's full review

A non-stop ride
The show is a non-stop ride for one and a half hours, and the group pace the dynamics very well. They will lull you into a sense of calm, with minimalist sound and delicate playing, the wake you up as the stage bursts into a cacophony of sound.
Read Kerry Adams, The Big Idea

Elemental in Napier
Strike's new work Elemental went to the Hawkes Bay at the end of May.
Elemental Full house and standing ovation
STRIKE premièred ELEMENTAL at the Erupt Festival in Taupo in May to a full house and received a standing ovation.
Three residencies have been funded for the Wellington region
A whole week with STRIKE: that's what a residency will mean for three Wellington schools. STRIKE works with students, teachers and student percussion groups within the school.
The Mount Cook Project with Wellington High School
September brought us the culminating performances from STRIKE and students.

 

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