TrinityRoots
Encyclopedia
TrinityRoots are a successful band based in Wellington
, New Zealand
. Although they are commonly associated with New Zealand reggae
they also embody a stripped back, jazz
and soul
influenced rhythmic sound, which often builds up to highly emotional drum- and guitar-led crescendos.
Like their contemporaries Fat Freddy's Drop
, TrinityRoots formed a loyal fan base through live performances and word of mouth. They played alongside international acts including Ben Harper
, Lee Scratch Perry, The Mad Professor
, as well as local bands such as Fat Freddys Drop, Salmonella Dub
and Che Fu
. TrinityRoots has also toured small towns on sellout tours. The band's song Little Things was featured prominently in an episode of the cartoon bro'Town
.
Before breaking up in 2005, the band released a self-titled EP and two albums, True
and Home Land and Sea. Both albums reached Platinum status in New Zealand with virtually no advertising or media attention.
The band separated in 2005, playing their final concert in February 2005 in a sellout concert to raise relief funds for the Boxing Day Tsunami at the Wellington Town Hall
. This material was released in 2010 with accompanying documentary footage as Music Is Choice.
All members of the band, past and present, are involved in other musical projects and continued making music after the 2005 break-up. Lead singer and guitarist Warren Maxwell
was a member of Fat Freddy's Drop
until late 2006 when he left to spend more time with family, and is the frontman of the acclaimed group Little Bushman http://www.stuff.co.nz/3950879a1860.html. Bassist Rio Hemopo has released solo music and is involved with Breaks Co-op
as a member of their live band. Drummer Riki Gooch has also released solo music under his own name and as Eru Dangerspiel, as well as playing and producing for many other artists and projects such as Neil Finn
, Hollie Smith
and Ria Hall.
In early September, 2010 Trinity Roots announced they had re-formed and embarked on a tour of New Zealand.
In July 2011, the band announced that Riki Gooch was leaving. Wellington-based drummer Jean Pompey has replaced him.
Gooch had previously left the band after the recording of their first EP, and was replaced by Darren Matthiessen. Gooch returned to the band during the time that True was being recorded, hence both Matthiessen and Gooch featuring in the album sleeve notes. The song D By D was written by Matthiessen.
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Although they are commonly associated with New Zealand reggae
New Zealand reggae
New Zealand reggae is the New Zealand variation of the musical genre reggae. It is a large and well established part of New Zealand music, and includes some of the country's most successful and highly acclaimed bands....
they also embody a stripped back, jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
influenced rhythmic sound, which often builds up to highly emotional drum- and guitar-led crescendos.
Like their contemporaries Fat Freddy's Drop
Fat Freddy's Drop
Fat Freddy’s Drop is a seven-piece band from Wellington, New Zealand, whose musical style has been characterised as any combination of dub, reggae, soul, jazz, rhythm and blues, and techno. Originally a jam band formed in the late 1990s by musicians from other bands in Wellington, Fat Freddy’s Drop...
, TrinityRoots formed a loyal fan base through live performances and word of mouth. They played alongside international acts including Ben Harper
Ben Harper
Benjamin Chase "Ben" Harper is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Harper plays an eclectic mix of blues, folk, soul, reggae and rock music and is known for his guitar-playing skills, vocals, live performances and activism. Harper's fan base spans several continents...
, Lee Scratch Perry, The Mad Professor
Mad Professor
Mad Professor is a dub music producer and engineer known for his original productions and remix work. He is considered one of the leading producers of dub music’s second generation and was instrumental in transitioning dub into the digital age. He is a prolific producer, contributing to or...
, as well as local bands such as Fat Freddys Drop, Salmonella Dub
Salmonella Dub
Salmonella Dub are a Dub/Drum n Bass/Reggae/Roots band from Kaikoura, New Zealand. They were formed in 1991 by Andrew Penman, David Deakins and Mark Tyler...
and Che Fu
Che Fu
Che Fu MNZM is a New Zealand Hip hop/R&B and Reggae recording artist and producer. Originally one part of the band Supergroove, as a solo artist he has gone on to sell thousands of albums both in New Zealand and internationally, including in Australia and the UK.-History:Fu is one of New Zealand's...
. TrinityRoots has also toured small towns on sellout tours. The band's song Little Things was featured prominently in an episode of the cartoon bro'Town
Bro'Town
bro'Town is a New Zealand Television animated series. The show used a comedy based format, targeted at a young adult audience.The series is set amongst New Zealand's fast growing Pacific Islander community, and focuses on a central cast of five young boys...
.
Before breaking up in 2005, the band released a self-titled EP and two albums, True
True (TrinityRoots album)
True is the debut album by New Zealand band, TrinityRoots, released in 2001.-Track listing:#"True"#"Sense and Cents"#"Beautiful People"#"Call to You"#"Passion"#"D By D"#"Egos"#"Just Like You"#"Little Things"...
and Home Land and Sea. Both albums reached Platinum status in New Zealand with virtually no advertising or media attention.
The band separated in 2005, playing their final concert in February 2005 in a sellout concert to raise relief funds for the Boxing Day Tsunami at the Wellington Town Hall
Wellington Town Hall
The Wellington Town Hall is a concert hall and part of the municipal complex in Wellington, New Zealand. The foundation stone for the building was laid in 1901 and construction began the following year. It was officially opened on 7 December 1904....
. This material was released in 2010 with accompanying documentary footage as Music Is Choice.
All members of the band, past and present, are involved in other musical projects and continued making music after the 2005 break-up. Lead singer and guitarist Warren Maxwell
Warren Maxwell
Warren D. Maxwell is a British retired competitive ice dancer. His partner was Janet Thompson. They are the 1977 World silver medalists. They represented Great Britain at the 1976 Winter Olympics, where they placed 8th....
was a member of Fat Freddy's Drop
Fat Freddy's Drop
Fat Freddy’s Drop is a seven-piece band from Wellington, New Zealand, whose musical style has been characterised as any combination of dub, reggae, soul, jazz, rhythm and blues, and techno. Originally a jam band formed in the late 1990s by musicians from other bands in Wellington, Fat Freddy’s Drop...
until late 2006 when he left to spend more time with family, and is the frontman of the acclaimed group Little Bushman http://www.stuff.co.nz/3950879a1860.html. Bassist Rio Hemopo has released solo music and is involved with Breaks Co-op
Breaks Co-Op
Breaks Co-op is a New Zealand band, formed in 1997, first through music company FMR and more recently with EMI.The band members are Andy Lovegrove, Zane Lowe, and Hamish Clark....
as a member of their live band. Drummer Riki Gooch has also released solo music under his own name and as Eru Dangerspiel, as well as playing and producing for many other artists and projects such as Neil Finn
Neil Finn
Neil Mullane Finn, OBE is a New Zealand Pop recording artist. Along with his brother Tim Finn, he was the co-frontman for Split Enz and is now frontman for Crowded House...
, Hollie Smith
Hollie Smith
Hollie Smith is a New Zealand soul singer-songwriter. Her debut album Long Player reached number one on the RIANZ albums chart in 2007, and certified double platinum.-Early years:...
and Ria Hall.
In early September, 2010 Trinity Roots announced they had re-formed and embarked on a tour of New Zealand.
In July 2011, the band announced that Riki Gooch was leaving. Wellington-based drummer Jean Pompey has replaced him.
Gooch had previously left the band after the recording of their first EP, and was replaced by Darren Matthiessen. Gooch returned to the band during the time that True was being recorded, hence both Matthiessen and Gooch featuring in the album sleeve notes. The song D By D was written by Matthiessen.
Current band members
- Warren Maxwell (lead vocals/guitar)
- Rio Hemopo (backing vocals/bass)
- Jean Pompey (backing vocals/drums)
Discography
| Date of Release | Title | Label | Charted | Certification | Catalog Number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albums | ||||||
| 2001 2001 in music See also:* 2001 in music Record labels established in 2001-Events:*January 1**Comeback of Guns N' Roses in House of Blues**Hum disbands.*January 17 – Bass player Jason Newsted leaves Metallica after 14 years with the band.... |
True True (TrinityRoots album) True is the debut album by New Zealand band, TrinityRoots, released in 2001.-Track listing:#"True"#"Sense and Cents"#"Beautiful People"#"Call to You"#"Passion"#"D By D"#"Egos"#"Just Like You"#"Little Things"... |
28 | Platinum | |||
| 2004 2004 in music See also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol.... |
Home, Land and Sea Home, Land and Sea Home, Land and Sea is an album by New Zealand band, Trinity Roots, released in 2004.-Track listing:#"Aotearoa"#"Longs I for You"#"The Dream"#"All We Be"#"Egos"#"Angel Song"#"Touches Me"#"Way I Feel"#"Home, Land & Sea"... |
6 | Platinum | |||
| Live Albums | ||||||
| 2010 2010 in music 2010 in music may refer to:*2010 in American music*2010 in Australian music*2010 in British music*2010 in Canadian music*2010 in European music *2010 in Irish music*2010 in Japanese music*2010 in New Zealand music... |
Music Is Choice | 8 | - | |||
| EPs | ||||||
| 2001 2001 in music See also:* 2001 in music Record labels established in 2001-Events:*January 1**Comeback of Guns N' Roses in House of Blues**Hum disbands.*January 17 – Bass player Jason Newsted leaves Metallica after 14 years with the band.... |
Trinity Roots | - | - | |||