Grant Haua will bring his deep timbre soul blues vocals, acoustic guitars and foot percussion to Hokonui Moonshine Museum, Gore, next week.

The long-time half of blues-roots stompers Swamp Thing, with drummer Michael Barker, Haua's touring Awa Blues, his first solo album for 10 years.

His performance draws heavily on his Maori culture which are at the heart of his songs.

He says he wants the audiences to feel like they're guests in his home, which, like the songs, is pretty simple, but warm and friendly.

"On this album I wanted to take that attitude a little further, keep it acoustic but add a few extra instruments, spend more time polishing the individual tracks, yet try to maintain that rough integrity and hopefully potentially play some good stuff.

"The feeling and imagery I'm trying to convey in this album is pretty simple. I'm a huge fan of simplicity. I like simple but great food. I want a song to be as satisfying as a Sunday roast cooked by your Mum, a tune as good as eating big fat oysters straight from shell, and guitar picking as good as sipping a cool beer on a hot day."

Gallery Programmes Officer Marcella Geddes says Haua "rocked the socks off" Gore when he performed with his band Swamp Thing at the Hokonui Moonshiners’ Festival in 2015.

"We are expecting more of the same but perhaps with a more acoustic and personal edge."

Wednesday, 9 November, 8pm

Hokonui Moonshine Museum, Gore

Tickets: General admission $30 / Gallery Members $25 / Students $10

Book: Eastern Southland Gallery, Tel 03 208 9907, email [email protected]