It’s a different kind of operation when it comes to Wellington-based group Fly My Pretties. With dozens of musicians on board and an emphasis on live performance, they’re more like a theatre company than your typical band. The group comes together sporadically and comprises the cream of New Zealand’s music scene, swinging between folk, blues, roots, reggae and more. Settling in amongst a star-studded lineup, these Kiwi heavyweights will be smashing out a set at Byron Bay’s Bluesfest.
In the lead-up to the festival, co-founder Barnaby Weir has been busy organising gigs around New Zealand’s North and South Islands. “We’re really excited, even just being able to attend as music lovers,” he says. “There has been very few Kiwi groups that have been asked over the years, so we’re honoured and we treat it with respect.”
Between The Black Seeds and Fly My Pretties, Weir has been juggling different roles and touring schedules for the best part of a decade now. Many of the people involved in Fly My Pretties are established musicians in their own right and have represented the likes of Kora, Trinity Roots, Fat Freddy’s Drop and The Phoenix Foundation.
“I’m more of a director with Fly My Pretties,” he says. “Although it tends to be an open brief, you have to strike a balance between being hands-on and hands-off. The people we choose to work with us, we know whatever they’re going to do is going to be amazing.”
Since 2004, Fly My Pretties have reached audiences around the world. Mixing established and emerging musicians, the project has fostered the rise of some of New Zealand’s hottest talent. They also collaborate with visual artists and home-grown fashion labels to produce memorable and multi-faceted performances. “It’s like a variety showcase, what we do,” says Weir. “But we do have a consistent sound – our music isn’t totally random. There is a core engine room, if you like.”
As well as being a creative outlet for musicians seeking to expand their repertoire, Fly My Pretties cultivate a sense of social awareness. Many of the members engage with local politics and environmental concerns. These commentaries are often wrapped in storytelling and soulful tunes. Both musically and politically, the aim is to open up new ideas and spark conversation.
For potential participants, the opportunity to communicate about social change has become an attractive feature of Fly My Pretties. “Yes, I certainly believe it has,” agrees Weir. “It provides a platform that can shine a light on social issues in front of thousands of people, not hundreds. We’re not a political group, but we are conscious people. It’s the difference between being an individual in a band and working in collaboration with many people. It’s risky but it’s fresh. And it’s always a little bit different each time.”
As an alternative model for making music, Fly My Pretties have shifted the way musicians work and interact with each other in New Zealand. “Without blowing our own trumpet, I think it has changed the scene,” Weir says. “When we came out, everyone was doing their own separate thing. This collaboration started as a way of getting other musicians to branch out and mix with other people. It’s not necessarily an original idea, but no-one was doing it on the scale that we were.”
Predicated on community and experimentation, there are many layers to this Kiwi supergroup. They manage to be intimate and theatrical at the same time, weaving together a whole range of personal stories and skills. In Weir’s words, Fly My Pretties are all about “good stories from cool people from different backgrounds”.
“You’re not going to be stuck with one sound all night,” he says. “There will be a lot of talent. We just want to make the best impression that we can.”
Fly My Pretties playBluesfest 2015 atTyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay,Thursday April 2 – Monday April 6.
