The Hobnail Boots - So Far, So Good.
Hobnail Boots has long been a vehicle for Wellington singer/songwriter Rob Joass and Jo Moir. From humble beginning as a bar band, they gradually refined their skills over 3 CD’s and world-wide touring, culminating in the critically acclaimed “On With The Show” released in 2002. After touring that album the couple decided to take a break to raise a family.
Now they are back with a fabulous new line-up, and a new CD.
The Fortune Horses is an album which distils a collective century-plus of playing live music, matches it with an impeccable sense of what makes a great song, and allows five gifted musicians to showcase their skills. It has also been hailed as the best of their career.
A new line-up brought a new approach for the group. No longer were booze barns the venue of choice. The Hobnail Boots have instead plied their trade at folk clubs, wineries, cafes and theatres - venues chosen to give their songs space to breathe.
"Knowing that the audience will actually be listening has influenced us, made us work harder to be worthy of their attention,'' Joass says. "We've been `testing the product', especially with forays to the South Island, over the last couple of years, and see the new CD as something of a rebirth for the band. This line-up is just a joy to work with. Caroline, Hamish and Bill are all excellent musicians and good people. Jo and I feel extremely lucky to have them around.''
This well-travelled group has journeyed far and wide in their decade together – trips which have seen them take their Kiwi flavoured songs and stories not only all over New Zealand, but also to the United states, Canada, Ireland and Europe. In 2005 they added a new stamp to the passport, heading to Norfolk Island for their annual Country Music Festival. The invitation to perform at the festival came after a recommendation from Warratahs front man Barry Saunders.
Saunders and The Hobnail Boots have since toured around the South Island together in a hugely popular double bill. They will be reprising this show for Gore’s annual Moonshine festival in 2008. They Hobnail Boots will also be performing at Tauranga’s Blues, Brews and BBQ’s Festival and at Masterton’s Golden Shears in early 2008.
Other recent highlights include performances at The Wellington International Festival of the Arts, the Foxton Easter Festival, The Festival of the Elements in Porirua, and the Nelson School of Music Winter Festival. The Hobnail Boots have also made appearances on T.V.’s Good Morning and National Radios’s Friday afternoon Live show with Wayne Mowatt.
The band is currently planning to release a live DVD, from footage recorded by acclaimed Wellington film maker Costa Botes at their recent concert at Wellington’s Paramount Theatre.
For more information about the Hobnail Boots, please contact Jo Moir: 04 233 0462 / 027 695 1630 or hobnail@ihug.co.nz.About The Band