Turning over a new leaf

TEA Party main man Jeff Martin is brewing up something special for his legion of Tasmanian fans ahead of his return to Hobart and Launceston next week.

Martin is best known as the lead singer of Canadian “Moroccan roll” band The Tea Party, who combine ’70s blues and psychedelic rock with elements of Middle Eastern, Celtic and Mediterranean music.

The Tea Party toured the world several times and sold more than two million albums — thanks to songs such as Heaven Coming Down, Save Me and

Temptation — between 1990 and 2005, then breaking up for seven years, before getting back together in 2012.

During the band’s hiatus Martin worked on various other band projects — including The Armada and Jeff Martin 777 — and established himself as a solo star, showcasing his skills on the array of exotic instruments he has collected on his travels including sitar, oud, doumbek and hurdy-gurdy.

Fans have gone so far as to describe a Martin acoustic show as “a religious experience’ that stays with them forever.

These days, Martin is based in Australia and, as a highly sought-after record producer, can usually be found in his Byron Bay studio working with Australian acts.

He is currently working on a new Tea Party album, as well as a solo release.

A semi-regular visitor to Tasmania, where he has played several solo and collaborative shows in recent years, Martin is returning again next weekend to play two solo acoustic shows: at the Republic Bar in North Hobart from 10pm next Friday (April 20); and at The Royal Oak in Launceston next Saturday (April 21). Tickets to the Hobart show are $43.76. For bookings, go to