HERNE BAY AND PONSONBY –OUR KINDS OF PEOPLE, OUR KINDS OF PLACE

Mike Symonds may be new to the role of Manager at Barfoot & Thompson’s Ponsonby branch, but he’s certainly not new to the industry, the company nor the neighbourhood.

Mike has lived locally in Ponsonby and Grey Lynn “for more than two decades.” His track record for driving success within Barfoot & Thompson is simply outstanding, having managed both the St Heliers and Kohimarama branches for six years and, before that, selling copious amounts of residential, lifestyle and commercial property in his role as a sales agent.

“My mission now,” he says, “is to push the culture and positive energy that we have here in Ponsonby and Herne Bay, and to support my team and clients with best-in-class service and results. We have some incredibly exciting developments in the wings, so I am looking to bring on extra salespeople now to help boost us for this next phase.

“For anyone who is motivated and looking to advance their career,” Mike adds, “Barfoot & Thompson provides an excellent platform for success. We’re the market leader in Auckland by far, selling one in every three homes in the region*. Plus, the company’s known for its world-class training, resources and support – and we have one of the best uncapped commission payment scales in the market, with our top salespeople being among the industry’s highest earners.

“There’s a reason why the company is #1 in the city, and why we are still growing strong after 100 years. If you’re keen to join us – it really is a phenomenal team here in Ponsonby –call me or drop by the office anytime. The coffee’s on me.”

There is nothing that wouldn’t surprise me at a Shooless performance.

In the handful I’ve been to, I’ve witnessed feather fedoras, cousins twerking, dresses stitched side stage, nanas raving and a multitude of bare feet. I’ve heard vocals that transport me to a world where I’m rolling in a mushroom field, songs that leave me strutting out of the venue like I’m in Devil Wears, and lyrics that remind me of my mother's arms after my first heartbreak.

I most recently saw Shooless perform at Ponsonby’s Ahu, a venue dedicated to supporting artists of all mediums in Tāmaki Makaurau. Shooless is made up of five artists: Freya Pinkerton, Will Abraham, Jordan Neal, Guy Yarrall and Locky Buchanan. Having had a front row seat for the establishment of Shooless and many a rehearsal in the crowded living room, I am always excited to witness the bands’s development and the energy they cultivate for their audience.

In July, the band released their first eponymous EP.

Very few artists I have seen perform break the fourth wall between artist and audience in the way Shooless does. Not only at this particular Ahu gig did they play on literal ground level, leaving every person in the room feeling personally serenaded, their engagement with their audience has a unique confidence and genuineness.

Having roomed with lead vocalists Freya and Guy, I can attest there is not a bone in their bodies that is inauthentic. Transparent in the best way, this is reflected in the nature of which they acknowledge those who have traveled to see them play, and front to back of their performance returning the energy of the grinning faces mirroring them.

This transparency was especially direct with Freya’s performance of ‘Fairy Kisses’, accompanied by lead guitarist Locky and lead bassist Will. In the fast-paced, chaotic world we live in, it is rare to be completely still and silent. It is rare to stand alongside a grown man as he cries with tears of pride for the leader his daughter has grown into.

The ultimate ‘big sister’ lullaby full of lyrics each of us needed during our childhood and teens, ‘Fairy Kisses’ paralyzed the room with honesty and vulnerability, everyone holding their breath because the vocals breathed for them.

If there’s one thing Shooless has mastered, it’s a ‘bridge’. This kind of melodic break, one that is often overlooked, has developed into a Shooless USP that builds a strong narrative and climax for every listener. This is most apparent in their tracks ‘Journey to Nazareth’, ‘Butter’ and ‘Skink Brain’.

It’s clear members of the group have spent many summers listening to live music in the open outdoors. Even in the smallest of rooms, a Shooless bridge creates this breadth of space for the audience to be drawn into the instrumentals in whatever way comes naturally to them, all the while building their craving for the solidity of returning to the melody. Shooless certainly ‘let ‘em cook’.

Synergy, by definition, is an interaction that gives rise to a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. Whether it be the lock of eyes between drummer and lead bassist, Jordan and Will, as they effortlessly change tempo, or Locky’s shared heartbeat with the vocalists', allowing them to draw out certain notes and depths that cannot be rehearsed but instead are reactive off of momentary energy, the synergy between Shooless members is unparalleled.

Every few bars is a trust fall between artists, and they play for each other as much as they play for their audience.

This is a band that has done their research. Every song has a narrative, and every note has intention. If Weyes Blood, King Krule, Fleetwood Mac and Al Green had a love child, it would be Shooless. Whilst I don’t play any instruments myself to do justice to the madness, creativity and precision of Locky, Will, Jordan, Guy and Freya, I feel there is nothing in this world more important than storytelling.

And that is what Shooless does best. (HANNAH NOTT)  PN www.facebook.com/shoolessband

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