Single Review: Kansas

Based in Oxford Canterbury, smooth sounding acoustic duo The Wax Birds have just released their latest single Kansas. This is the follow up to their first album Slow Rise released in 2020, which impressed me with a lush country/folk mix of beautiful harmony and gentle flowing guitar.

Arriving on New Zealand soil in 2016 from their homeland of Yorkshire UK, armed with a rich collective background of musical education and practical gig experience. The Wax Birds (who are Pete and Joanna Green) set about establishing a covers band creating the polished sound which shines through in the recording of their own original material. The result is warm acoustic folk with a touch of modern country.

Kansas is the first of several singles to be released throughout 2022, yet again it really showcases how The Wax Birds balance melodious vocals with acoustic guitar to create a full sound. The song tells the story of “not ever truly feeling at home but being grateful for where you’re at and what you have.”

Personally, I thought Kansas flowed very well and lead me to listen to other music released by the duo. It is warm, inviting, and harmonious. I look forward to hearing future releases from The Wax Birds. This couple are not just a covers band, they are driven by a passion for live music and a heart to support NZ wildlife.

As a final note 10% of The Wax Birds profits go towards the Kakapo Recovery Programme.