Music duos make good Company
One definition of the word ‘company’ is: “Being with others, especially in a way that provides friendship and enjoyment.” When local group The Company plays the Arts Junction in Katikati in July, good company and enjoyment is what you’ll get.
The Company is a loose collaboration of two local duos, Two’s Company, and Smith & Co.
As Two’s Company, Peter Rodewald and his wife Jacquie perform folk, blues, jazz standards, pop, originals and even the odd aria, and are well known for their strong vocal harmonies and clever arrangements.
Peter was the lead singer in a cruise ship band, but when he went sailing in the islands for a few years he really focused on guitar. He formed Two’s Company after meeting Jacquie in 2010, and guitar and piano are the backbone of their music and songwriting.
Jacquie’s background is classical. She’s a trained pianist, has done a little opera and is a qualified music teacher, though she struggles to maintain discipline during The Company practices! Her singing voice is clear, pure and gorgeous.
Smith & Co’s Ashley Smith and Anne Bailey have been playing together for more than five years, enjoying songs with meaningful lyrics, strong harmonies and two chords.
After a failed attempt to learn classical piano as a child, Anne turned to punk rock in her 20s, teaching herself a few guitar chords and banging out acoustic versions of The Clash. She didn’t return to playing music until 30 years later, joining up with Ash and discovering a world of music she had previously ignored, from the Beatles to Indie Folk.
Ash is one of those enviable people with a natural talent. Although his father imbued in him a lifelong love of music, he also considered anything composed after 1930 suspect. Ash soon went his own way, however, dabbling in a variety of musical genres and instruments. He enjoys songwriting and has recently written a musical.
For their Friday 8th July concert at the Katikati Folk Club, The Company will combine their diverse musical talents to present a wide-ranging mixture of covers alongside some originals, playing together for the bulk of the evening but also performing a few songs as their respective duos. Expect anything from Dylan to divas, and prepare to join in and enjoy. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30 start and refreshments are available. For more information check out www.katikatifolkclub.co.nz