Originally created for Taupo's Erupt Festival 2010 Scrapyard Cabaret is my first foray into ‘cabaret’, and I had to discover what the word means in 21st century New Zealand. I found my answer in the quality of interaction between audience and performance artist. In Scrapyard Cabaret I am tour guide and Ring Master, through a circus of songs, stories and dream-scapes. The wayward characters I have created are parts of me, and most likely you will find parts of yourself here too. I was the Musical Director for Smack Bang Theatre company’s ‘Sexy Recession Cabaret’ last December which explored all manner of performance art from tap dancing to aerial gymnastics. During SRC I enlisted some of the best jazz students from the University of Auckland in my band. I kept three of those guys with me for Scrapyard Cabaret: Adam Tobeck on Drums, Sung Jin Hong on Trumpet and Jess Curtis on Vocals. I have mixed these fresh faces with two experienced session muso’s, bassist Aaron Coddel (Jennifer Ward Lealand, Caitlin Smith, King Kapisi, Hello Sailor) and one of my favourite guitarists Neil Watson (Anika Moa, Mel Parsons). This blend of young and seasoned players is an integral part of Scrapyard Cabaret’s appeal. With the help of director Sara Brodie I have created a narrative around the songs on my last two CD’s Rubble and Words & Groove (2010). Scrapyard Cabaret presents a ‘human’ fairy tale, well ....... perhaps we debunk the whole notion of fairy tale ...... to discover that our ‘real’ lives are more gritty, sexy, seedy and downright funny, than any imaginary story. | 
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