Liam Farris

Liam Farris

Liam Farris

Blues, Country, Covers, Folk, Singer-Songwriter

Napier

Liam has been gigging around Hawke’s Bay since 1988. As a solo performer he plays a range of covers including classics from James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Neil Young, The Beatles and Paul Simon, more contemporary songs from Neil and Tim Finn/Crowded House, Dave Dobbyn, Nirvana and Oasis, and odd picks from the likes of Sting, Ron Sexsmith, Tom Petty, Beck and U2. A handy fingerpicking guitarist, he has earned something of a reputation for his polished guitar work and the feel of his playing and singing. Born in Napier to musical parents, Liam started out professionally as a busker and has busked on and off since, becoming a familiar face at times in Napier’s central business area. Gigs at local cafés soon followed his first street ventures, as did private functions and concerts. Also a bassist and occasional drummer, these other capabilities plus his wide tastes in music have led Liam into diverse situations including with a hard rock band, a folk quartet, a soft-rock trio, a blues/rock trio, an acoustic duo and a rock/R ’n’ B band. The best-known groups in Hawke’s Bay that he has been in are: • “These Things Happen” (1990-91), on vocals/guitar, with Mark Luscombe (vocals/harmonica) and Glen Moffatt (vocals/guitar). Made a name for themselves with their mix of tight Beatles-Eagles-CS&N three-part harmonies and onstage goofing. • the duo “Fine Tunings” (1990-96), on guitar/vocals, again with Mark Luscombe. Regularly gigged at local cafés, functions and concerts. Occasional reunions since 1996. • “Red Engine” (1997-98), on bass/vocals, with Ed Cleaver (vocals/guitar), Lindsay Gibb (vocals/guitar), and Darryl Jones or Steve Emery on drums. Played often and appeared at most Napier and Hastings bars; built up a good following. • “The O’ Connors” (2002-04), on guitar, bass, drums and backing vocals as required. Based around husband/wife duo Amanda and Sean O’ Connor, performing covers and O’ Connors originals. Played concerts, festivals and various venues, in and outside of Hawke’s Bay. Liam has also played in the casual groups “Bang”, “Hollowbody” and “The Coastal Rhythm Section” led by Lindsay Gibb, “The D J Blues Band” headed by Darryl Jones, and appeared occasionally with other bands such as “The Kawekas” and “groundswell”. Through 2012-13 he backed up banjoist/vocalist Helena Faust, performing old-time country and bluegrass material in Hawke’s Bay, Palmerston North and Wellington. He also added guitar to her EP CD “Little Rabbit” and, in a trio with Helena and Australian fiddler Liam Wratten, to the CD “Barnstorm” (both released 2013). Since 2001 Liam has also appeared at the Napier and Hastings Farmers’ Markets, and often been drafted into local fundraiser concerts such as the Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life”. Over the last couple of years Liam has played drums or bass for Napier punk band “Paddy & The Cryptids”, and bass for well-known Hawke’s Bay country rock group “Music Dog”. He has additionally recently made some appearances in a duo called “In Two Minds” with Sally McQuarrie. In 2006 Liam played fretless bass on a track for Ben Throp’s CD “Mind Over Matter”. Late the following year he provided acoustic guitar for a version of James Taylor’s “Shower The People” by Debbie Harwood, Margaret Urlich and Kim Willoughby, recorded/produced by Ian Morris and released as a single in advance of their appearance at the 2008 Mission Concert. In 2023 he appeared on Sean O’ Connor’s album “Southern Cross”, providing some guitar for the tracks “Shadowsong”, “Healing’s Taking Time” and “Bloom”. In his solo capacity Liam has supported the likes of Paul Ubana Jones (with and without Gary McCormick), Barry Saunders, Andrew White, Joseph & Maia, Debbie Harwood, Mike Brosnan, Mike Harding, and Phil Garland. With “Fine Tunings” he supported (among some of the earlier names mentioned) Bruno Lawrence’s “Loose Trio”, Brendan Power/Gary Verberne, and Dave Murphy; they also sang backup for Midge Marsden at a Hastings concert. In 2001 Liam was pleased to be one of the local musicians chosen to play in Neil Finn’s backing band at his Hastings show. Liam has also composed/played/recorded original music for corporate videos and jingles. In more recent times he has provided background music for the short film “Kia Ora Miguel” (2013), and for the informative Sea Hawke’s Bay video “The Rocky Shore” for the National Aquarium (recorded 2017). As well as gigging, Liam has also appeared at “open mic” music evenings around the Bay, and he has taught guitar casually since 1993. Fatherhood was an additional focus from 2000 onwards, so his musical activity has had to be balanced with this. Liam does doodle with original material and hopes to get some of it finished/recorded/released over the next year or so. Liam can be contacted for more information or bookings at (022) 497 9943 or via email at [email protected]. More information can be provided upon request.

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