Overview
Julia Deans is returning to the stage solo for the first time in seven years for the nine-date We Light Fire tour, celebrating the release of her album of the same name.
Originally establishing herself as the front woman for Fur Patrol, a band best-known for the mournfully laconic aughties hit 'Lydia', Deans has gone on to become a significant voice for female creatives in Aotearoa.
Deans is using this latest tour as a platform to celebrate female and female-identifying gender-non binary people from her opening acts to her publicist and tour crew. Of her two Auckland dates — 4 August at Leigh Sawmill Café and 1 September at the Tuning Fork — Deans has announced one of her support acts: Erin Cole-Baker.
An American-born singer-songwriter, Baker grew up in Whangerei where she initially honed her craft. Originally a folk singer, her third studio album Till The Feelings Right released earlier this year sees her pick up the electric guitar.
Both women write introspective, thoughtful songs that meditate on what it is to be human. We Light Fire has been eight years in the making for Julia Deans, whose impressive falsetto is brought to the fore in this predominately pop rock offering that is underpinned with flashes of synth. Lauded by critics, it recently made the long list for the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll songwriting award.