Bristow and Saunders To Perform At Hideaway This Friday

Singer-songwriter Jackie Bristow has described her time in New Zealand over lockdown as a bit of a rollercoaster, but at the moment she’s enjoying the ride.

While not stuck in New Zealand, she’s happy with the safety of her home country until she feels ready to return to the US – and is keeping busy with her music.

Music officials have told her that musicians won’t be touring again in the US until next August, so it made sense to concentrate on the here and now.

The girl from Gore isn’t wasting any opportunities, and has shows booked up until March next year – provided she is allowed to perform them.

And once Level 2 is over again on August 28, she and Barry Saunders will be ready to take to the stage – with a show at the Hideaway 201 on Friday night and another at Olivers in Clyde on Saturday.

Opening for Bonnie Rait in 2013 and 2017, as well as Art Garfunkel, Bristow has come a long way since winning Gold Guitar Awards with her sister as teenagers.

Now spending time between Gore, Waikaia (where her sister lives) and Queenstown, she caught up with Saunders during Covid-19 and they decided to play together.

“He’s become a real supportive friend during the lockdown,” she said.

Bristow had been home in January touring around the top of the South Island when Covid-19 hit, and has been here ever since.

“It’s been a real change and a bit of a rollercoaster,” she said.

Leaving behind her partner in Nashville, Tennessee, she has just been concentrating on her music – which is all she has ever known.

“Since 17 I have only ever worked as a musician. It’s basically been sink or swim.”

She is also currently working on a new album after receiving a New Zealand Creative Arts Grant – which she has just finished recording in Auckland with Ricky Morris.

The show this Friday night with Barry Saunders will feature some Warratah’s classics and some songs off her new album, as well as a collaboration of songs they are both working on together.