Soul band moves to Paeroa to play
A former Auckland soul music band is preparing for its first gig in Paeroa.
Soul Timers, led by singer and songwriter Evan Silva will play at the Refinery on Friday, November 23.
The band — Paul Lee (keys and sax), bassist Paul Woolright, guitarist Jack Stradwick and Bryan Harris at the drums — brings some feel-good funky and soul R&B sounds to its repertoire.
Leader Evan Silva has over 30 year experience in music forming his first band at 15 years, making his first steps in the soul music.
In the 1960-70s, he got inspired by African-American gospel music, jazz, rhythm and blues, and moved away from the pop music emerging at the time.
He said he tried pop but it has never been “his thing” and he got bored with it.
By the passion they bring, the New Zealand band owns their rhythm and blues style and takes it to another level.
Evan’s voice is soulful, singing with power and softness, taking the audience back to soul music’s African American roots.
He and the four other band members moved to Paeroa three years ago, ditching their busy Auckland life.
“We were heading north, however found a cool home in Paeroa, which was a total shift really . . . House prices were good and it was an easy travel distance to Auckland and elsewhere for gigs etc. We love the rural vibe and friendly people,” he says.
The rest of the members followed Evan’s move to the area in the last 18 months.
Members still perform shows in Auckland and the rest of the North Island for corporate gigs too. They played at a wedding at the De Preaux Lodge in Matamata earlier this year.
Evan says the band’s first gig in Paeroa will predict many more in the district.
“We will be playing more — we’re looking at Waihi and elsewhere,” he says, and their first performance will be an intimate one.
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