Face of a Stranger

Since 2005, The Johnny Possum Band has been delivering their own brand of Americana/alt country/bluegrass/folk music. From performances throughout New Zealand, to appearances on USA TV Shows, the band has developed a solid fan base and following.

They released their 5th CD, ‘Short Summer’, featuring mainly original material in February 2012. This recording showcases a maturing approach to song writing and how the band is redefining their style. It marks a strong shift towards the Americana genre while still recognising the bands musical roots in other folk styles. Jump to 2014 . . . and let us tell you what really happened during the recording process . . . . When we decided to record this CD we wanted to bring in an independent producer who would bring a different sound to the band. So, we hired the legendary Rob Mayes who has many years’ experience recording and producing indie bands. Rob recorded the band then spent months asking for extra instrument tracks to get the sound he wanted. He finally turned up one day with a mix he was proud of and it was really good . . . . but a little too different for some members of the band. So a vote was held, and the voting majority chose to remix and go for a more traditional approach. Anyway, those Rob Mayes mixes have sat there on the computer of one of the dissenting voices and finally we have decided to release them to the world as Rob intended them to be. So here they are including two tracks that were recorded and not initially released and a new vocal performance on Short Summer

The band’s debut CD, ‘Tickets’ released in 2006 featured the band performing mainly traditional bluegrass tunes in their own style and was a finalist for a 2007 New Zealand Music Award for best Country Music Album, and their first original single, ‘Bluegrass Saved the Earth’ was a finalist for Country Music Single of the year.

The band delivered its 2nd CD, ‘Twister’, in February 2008. Building on strong Americana roots this recording branches out and incorporates the band’s own strong original musical offerings and sees the sound of the band begin to reflect influences from bluegrass, folk, Irish, old time and even a hint of rockabilly.

In June of 2009 the band released their 3rd CD, ‘Live at the HarbourLight’ this time with a DVD. They recorded a live performance at their favourite theatre of old favourites and also plenty of previously unrecorded material. The CD has 15 of the tracks while the DVD has all 27 tracks on it. The recording truly captures the Possums at their best playing live to an enthusiastic audience. It’s particular important now as the HarbourLight Theatre was destroyed in an earthquake on 22 February 2011.

They released their first compilation CD ‘High Lights 2005-2009‘ in 2010.It features all the best studio and live tracks from the first three CD’s.

The band has played extensively throughout New Zealand at festivals, events and their own tours. They have also gained international exposure with three mini tours of the USA. The first in 2007 saw them receive the ‘Rising Legends’ Award from the National Old Time Country and Bluegrass Association. Their 2nd visit in 2008 received rave reviews and a growing fan base as they toured the musical heartland of the USA travelling through Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. Their 3rd in 2012 saw them appear at such world renowned venues as Music City Roots in Nashville (TV Appearance), Song of the Mountains in Marion (TV Appearance), and the Blue Plate Special in Knoxville.