Homegrown a homecoming for Elemeno P

 

Elemeno P are looking forward to laying on the nostalgia at Homegrown on Saturday. It'll be the iconic Kiwi rock band's first show for four years.

But they're remaining tight-lipped on whether this will turn into something bigger.

They never actually split up, so this isn't technically a reunion. But they find it's just easier to call it that.

"We just went on extended hiatus," says singer Dave Gibson.

"But it's much easier to say reunion to family and friends than 'extended hiatus that's going to be momentarily over before it goes back into hiatus again,'" adds Lani Purkis, the group's bassist.

In the nine years since Elemeno P's last album, Gibson's been in New York with his brother and wife in folk band Streets of Laredo, while Purkis has her own band Delete Delete back here in New Zealand.

The band says they've timed their comeback perfectly.

"Two years would be too soon, two years later maybe too late... it's been just long enough to really feel the nostalgia of a get together," says Gibson.

Because of their busy schedules they've only got four shows this time around but it's clear they're enjoying playing together again.

"Some songs are really hard, depending on what you remember, but I thought the first song was really good and I was so surprised. I started laughing, it's like we never stopped," says Purkis.

Festivals in New Zealand have come and gone, but Homegrown's stood firm. The band says it's because Kiwi bands want to play it.

"It's like a reunion. You feel like you're part of a community," says Purkis.

After Homegrown, they've sold out shows in Auckland and Christchurch next week. But as for a full-fledged reunion and new material, they'll decide after their last show.

"Never say never is what we always say," says Gibson.

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