‘FROM OUR RIVER TO YOURS’ | Space Studio & Gallery
Concerts
Alternative
In celebration of International Women’s Day, this special concert will feature 3 musical acts visiting from Wellington: Laura Chester-Murphy, Araiyah & Izzy, and Cathy Elizabeth to finish La Fiesta! 2025 with a flourish. Artist Bios: Laura Chester-Murphy (Mercy Lie) Photo credit (cover image left): RADAR Photography | Reef Reid Driving all night under the stars, along the highways of human experience, the original songs of Mercy Lie will haunt, surprise, remind and affirm. Mercy Lie is the musical guise of Laura Chester-Murphy. An instinctive sound maker from an early age, Laura just wants to keep the music rolling. There's a lot of sound from that little acoustic guitar and a voice to match. In the songs, you will find fierce independence, crushing vulnerability and a reflective wit that speaks to a life of figuring stuff out along the way. With influences ranging across and not limited to folk, funk, country, goth, indie and 90's rave, Laura puts the focus on crafting percussive earworms that won't leave your head easily. The music of Mercy Lie is a unique soundscape, sculpted with ambience and depth, the silence unforgettably painted by explorations into the motivations of both the self and fellow travellers. Mercy Lie is about connecting over the foibles of polite society and the ways we are wired to weave around each other. Hometowns, journeys, mysteries, ghosts, growing up, messing up, speaking out, moving on. If you like getting nostalgic over something and nothing all at once, buckle up. Mercy Lie's novel approach to the guitar and talent for songwriting make for the perfect storm. I did not expect that voice to come from that mouth. An acoustic delight! Araiyah (with special guest, Izzy) Photo credit (cover image middle): RADAR Photography | Reef Reid Born in the coastal town of Patea and raised in the vibrant community of Gisborne, Araiyah's musical journey is as rich and diverse as her heritage. Now based in Wellington, she is not just a musician but a devoted mother of four tamariki and a proud grandmother to one mokopuna. For the past decade, Araiyah has poured her heart into writing, recording, and performing her original compositions, each note resonating with the depth of her experiences. Araiyah's music is a poignant reflection of her life's journey, weaving together themes of love, loss, and resilience. Her deeply moving compositions are rooted in the lessons learned through relationships and the pain that often accompanies them. Through her art, she shares a narrative of healing, transformation, and the strength that comes from embracing vulnerability. Influenced by a diverse array of artists such as Bic Runga, Tracy Chapman, and The Eagles, Araiyah's sound is a fusion of heartfelt storytelling and melodic richness. However, it is her whanau and friends who serve as her greatest inspiration, fuelling her passion and creativity. Their support and love provide the foundation upon which her music thrives, making each performance an authentic expression of her gratitude and connection to those who matter most. With a voice that captivates and lyrics that resonate, Araiyah invites listeners into her world—a place where pain transforms into beauty, and healing becomes a shared experience. As she continues to evolve as an artist, Araiyah's music promises to touch the hearts of many, leaving a lasting impact on all who have the privilege of listening. Cathy Elizabeth Photo credit (cover image right): MGB Photography Back in '96, Cathy Elizabeth was handed a guitar and a songbook. She knew a few chords so she flipped through the book, playing whatever songs she could manage to play. The owner of the guitar came out and said, I can give you the guitar, but the songbook isn't mine, so I have to take that with me, sorry. Despite her objection that it was too generous a gift from a stranger, the man said, God told me to give it you, please - it's yours. And with that, Miss Elizabeth had been called to a lifelong journey of songwriting. Cathy's music stayed firmly in the closet for a while; sharing it felt far too vulnerable. But as the call of music grew stronger, and Cathy grew in confidence, she began to perform more and more in public. Songs are written to be heard, after all. Starting from open mic nights, it wasn't long before she was getting booked for solo performances. Inspired by the likes of Jeff Buckley, Thom Yorke, Aldous Harding, and PJ Harvey, Cathy's music has more of a folk-rock edge than a finger-picked indie style. Writing became an excellent tool by which to process difficult emotions, so a lot of the subject matter goes deep and dark, but other material explores spiritual concepts, with a joyful, uplifting vibe. Also going by the moniker 'Rain', Cathy has found the experience of being a singer-songwriter, including putting a band around her music and all of the delicate and challenging interactions that go with that, has been hugely character building overall. Her sincere hope is that a connection can be made, and that people are in some way emotionally moved by the music she has created.
Information Source: Space Studio & Gallery | eventbrite
