Local songstress returns for concert

Kiwi songstress Jamie McDell can’t wait to perform in Matamata again and this time around local audiences will be part of a world first – the debut of a collaboration called Dunes with her sister Tess.

Dunes, along with Taurangabased blues group Kokomo, the Tim Armstrong Beatles Tribute band and local Bryan Rawiri form the line-up for Rotary Matamata’s second Concert by the Lake on February 21.

‘‘We are so looking forward to performing in Matamata on the pontoon,’’ McDell said.

‘‘Matamata seems like it is the ideal place to debut it – it is a very safe, comfortable venue and we are very excited to see what happens.’’

McDell has had a stellar solo career, releasing two solo albums to date but when the opportunity to collaborate with her younger sister came along, she jumped at it.

‘‘It has been so much fun working together. It is so different for me because for a long time I have been an artist who has worked by myself and it has been very nice to have a person to bounce ideas off and I have enjoyed the process a lot more because I have been working with my sister.

‘‘Working with Tess brings another level of stories into the songwriting process and I really enjoy her stage presence – she is very relaxed and makes me feel calmer too.

‘‘She reminds me just to chill out and enjoy the moment,’’ McDell said.

Last year’s first appearance on the specially-built pontoon was memorable not only for her stellar performance but also for the inclement weather which dogged the event.

‘‘Despite the weather, the Matamata community came out and enjoyed it – that was very impressive. I amused to having the audience quite intimate but in saying that being on the pontoon created a nice bubble for me and the band to play music – I am really looking forward to repeating that experience.’’

‘‘It has been very nice to have a person to bounce ideas off .’’

Tickets for Concert by the Lake can be purchased from Colourplus, PaperPlus, Mitre 10 or by emailing mmrotarysecretary@gmail.com.