It has been 2 years since Wiri Donna (AKA Bianca Bailey) first released her double single featuring ‘Manuka Money’ and ‘Wandering Willies’, but she has certainly been making plenty of waves in the live music space since then. Numerous nationwide tours and multiple notable support act slots (The Beths, Mild Orange) later, her confidence as a performer is evident and her feet are firmly set on the ground, braced to take off running the week before her debut EP is released.
Being Alone comprises 6 songs, including ‘Dream of Me’ and NZ on Air funded ‘No Follow Through’. Of the EP, Bianca says:
“The EP is a sort of coming of age record, less of things you learn as you’re growing up, more things that you discover when you’re alone.
The title track of this EP ‘Being Alone’ is a point of realisation, that you’re allowed to grieve things that are intangible, like losing your sense of self, that people can simultaneously love you and hurt you and how incredibly difficult it is to hold people accountable for their actions if they don’t see them as wrong.”
In celebration of the release, Wiri Donna will also be embarking on a headline tour in June and July with her full band, including members Harrison Scholes (Arjuna Oakes, F.A.I.R.Y), James MacEwan (Arjuna Oakes), & Elliott Dawson (DOONS).
10th June: Te Whanganui a-Tara / Wellington - San Fran
8th July: Kirikiriroa / Hamilton - Last Place
9th July: Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland - Whammy Bar
14th July: Ōtautahi / Christchurch - Space Academy
15th July: Ōtepoti / Dunedin - Dive
16th July: Tāhuna / Queenstown - Yonder (free show)
Tickets available from UTR.
Her EP Being Alone will be released on a 12" which you can pre-order on Bandcamp here.
After a few years of substantial musical growth, Wiri Donna's debut EP, Being Alone will certainly be one to keep your ears peeled for and a welcome NZ Music Month gift.
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