Our AAF Fabulous Four: #3 Dust to Dusky

Our third fabulous pick from the Auckland Arts Festival is Dust to Dusky. In this world premiere performance, Tami Neilson, Bella Kalolo and Anna Coddington will pay tribute to the iconic Dusty Springfield, putting their Aotearoa spin on one of the most unique voices in the history of pop music.

We interviewed one of our favourite Glory Days coverstars, Tami Neilson, about the stories behind the songs and we give you the chance to win a double pass to the show on the 5th March at the Spiegeltent in Aotea Square.

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1. Hi Tami! Can you please tell us a little about the background to this show and working with Bella and Anna? 

I was so excited when Tama Waipara from Auckland Arts Festival rang me to ask if I'd like to be a part of a show celebrating the music of Dusty Springfield...and when he mentioned that Bella and Anna were the other artists in the cast, I was SOLD. I love and admire both those girls and have never had the opportunity to work with them. Bella was the very first muso I ever met when I landed in NZ 10 years ago. We met at choir practice!

2. How do you prepare to perform songs as a tribute to such an iconic singer? I can imagine it must feel like big boots to fill! 

I am a bit of a geek, so I read a biography on Dusty, watched a doco and a lot of concert footage and bought a bunch of her albums to really dive into who she was as an artist. It helps that I already adored her music and the 60s era where she reigned supreme. 

3. What is your favourite Dusty period and why? For example, do you like early 60s period or prefer her collaborations with the Pet Shop Boys in the 90s or another?

60s, 60s and more 60s! The music, the hair, the eye make-up, the dresses...it makes my heart hurt, how much I love it. She was the embodiment of class and elegance.

4. Tell us about one of the songs that you are performing at the show and how you have reimagined it in your own style. 

One of my favourite songs is "I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself", I begged them to let me perform it. Nobody can touch the original, so, I'll just do what I can. Dusty didn't raise the bar, she WAS the bar.

5. What is your favourite Dusty Springfield song and why? 

I cannot choose one. I love "Anyone Who Had a Heart" for it's ache, "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" for it's vocal swoop and drama, "Son of A Preacher" for it's sexy, husky sass, "Spooky" for it's cooler than cool groove...I could go on and on, but, I might make you late for the show, so, stop reading and grab your tickets before they're gone!

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Glory Days have a double pass to give away to the Dust to Dusky show on Saturday 5th March, 7pm courtesy of Auckland Arts Festival.

To enter the draw, fill out your details below! Entries close Tuesday 1st March at 8pm.