SOJØURN Announce ‘The Kaipara Live Sessions’ EP – Release Date 26 August 2022

5 August 2022

Kiwi surf-rock six-piece SOJØURN will release the “tiny desk” inspired Kaipara Live Sessions EP on Fri August 5th via the Meow label. The live EP features four songs off their recent Mystic Ways EP including Waiting, Chasing Sunsets, Mystic Ways, and Birdsong. The Kaipara Live Sessions were recorded live at the Otamatea Eco-Village on the Kaipara Harbour and took place in the Autumn of 2022.

SOJØURN’s indie psych reggae sounds continue to strike a chord with music critics and fans alike, with the Mystic Ways EP with plenty of airtime on NZ and Australian radio along with deservedly rave reviews. The east-coast groovers, hailing from the surf town of Mangawhai Heads, continue their rise through the music scene in NZ, with recent sub-headliner slot at “Après Surf”, a live-to-air performance on 95bFM along with an upcoming show with The Black Seeds in Auckland in early August.

The Kaipara Live Sessions recordings, produced by Connor Jaine (Mako Road), feature stripped back acoustic guitar and percussion along with the staples of vocals, bass, saxophone, keys, and electric guitar. The recording is also an introduction to the band’s new drummer Adam Blake, playing the Cajon along with local percussionist Joben Hicks on Congas. Vocalist & rhythm guitarist Isaac Hunter delivers the vibe in each song with his distinctive tongue and riff, with lead guitarist James Finlay sprinkling the tracks with his trademark licks. Bass player Tony Baker ties in neatly with percussion, and Jacob O’Brien’s saxophone melodies feature prominently in Birdsong and Mystic Ways.

“We wanted to celebrate the EP in a different format. Recording live with CJ in a laid-back setting on the Kaipara was an amazing experience. We really want to showcase a more intimate side of the band and acknowledge the acoustic roots we have as musicians.” Isaac Hunter/ Vocalist

The recordings are an ode to the good times of summer and offer listeners a different take on the Mystic Ways EP. The band engaged videographer Robbie Gilmore to show his talents and viewers are treated to a visual journey through each song. The opening shot and cover art features an aerial shot of the band laying on the grass spiraling closer to earth. The cover art is symbolic of the laid-back nature of the tracks and captures the environment in which the project was recorded and inspired. Each track features walk-through and close ups of each musician, and wide angles of the beautiful Aotearoa back-drop.

‘A fantastic example of the strong reggae/ska vibe that NZ is known for… (SOJØURN) capture the sounds, feeling, and overall vibe of an Aotearoa summer. 5/5’ – Jamie Denton, Muzic.net.nz

‘Only richly infused surf-rock can make any non-surfer feel like they’re riding waves, which is exactly what Sojourn’s new Mystic Ways EP does’ Samantha Cheong, Undertheradar.co.nz

‘Having previously opened for some of Aotearoa’s best artists such as Mako Road, The Butlers, Summer Thieves and Sons of Zion, the Sojourn summers are bound to be filled with festival sets in future, and probably a surf or seven in between’ Silke Hartung, NZ Musician Magazine

THE KAIPARA LIVE SESSIONS RELEASE SCHEDULE – SOJØURN

MYSTIC WAYS – Music Video– out today – Fri August 5th, 2022 – watch here

WAITING – Music Video– out Fri August 12th, 2022

CHASING SUNSETS – Music Video– out Fri August 19th, 2022

BIRDSONG – Music Video & Full EP– out Fri August 26th , 2022