Fat Freddy’s Drop

New Zealand group to perform at the MACC.

POSTED: July 1, 2010

Direct from New Zealand, Fat Freddy’s Drop is a soul train of musical talent that has made its way to audiences around the globe for more than a decade. The mesmerizing band will perform on Maui for the first time on Saturday, July 3, at 7:30 p.m. in the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s (MACC) Castle Theater—with a dance floor.

Formed as a band in 1999, the seven musicians have never stuck to a script. Their sound draws inspiration from soul, dub, reggae, funk and jazz. Soul-drenched vocals and electrified harmonies collide with echo chambers, accompanied by a talented rhythm section in the style of Tower of Power.

According to DJ Fitchie, bandleader and producer, Fat Freddy’s Drop is the product of both the band’s restless creativity and New Zealand’s geographic isolation.

“One of the upsides of being far away from the action and not having to deal with the weight of a strong musical history is that we don’t feel we have to stick to one particular style or approach,” said Fitchie.

A string of festival performances worldwide set the scene for Fat Freddy’s debut album, Based On A True Story. Released in 2005 to a storm of critical acclaim and popularity, it remains the highest selling independently released album in New Zealand’s music history. BBC Worldwide voted it as “Album of the Year.”

With the band’s 2009 release, Dr Boondigga & The Big BW, their songs took a natural path from the stage to the studio and stretched them further musically by digging deeper into their grab bag of influences. You can hear nods to Memphis soul in Boondigga, Detroit, with album opener The Big BW and even Africa jazz alongside the blues and dub that Fat Freddy’s fans expect.

Fat Freddy’s Drop is comprised of producer and bandleader Fitchie (Chris Faiumu), vocalist Joe Dukie (Dallas Tamaira), saxophonist Warren Maxwell, trumpeter Toby Laing, trombonist Joe Lindsay, guitarist Jetlag Johnson (Tehimana Kerr) and keyboardist Dobie Blaze (Iain Gordon). Check out videos at FatFreddysDrop.tv.

Tiva & Pacific Vibes and DJ Boomshot will make special guest appearances.

Pre-show dinner will be catered by Maui Tacos beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are on sale for $25 in advance and $30 day of show. Call the MACC Box Office at 242-SHOW or go online to MauiArts.org.