When you just need that sweet Bluegrass sound, The Pipi Pickers won’t disappoint. Heavily influenced by New Grass Revival and Tim O’Brien, the four piece bluegrass band The Pipi Pickers rejoice in laying down their energetic, contemporary, “full-bodied” style of bluegrass.

Hailing from the seaside village of Leigh in New Zealand, they have played the main stage at the Auckland Folk Festival, Wellington Folk Festival, Warkworth Kowhai Festival, Harrietville Bluegrass and Old Time Country Music Convention the Great Alpine Pick, and MountainGrass, all in Harrietville, Victoria, Australia, and the Redlands Bluegrass Festival in Queensland, Australia.

They’re a regular feature at the Bunker in Devonport, playing for both the Folk and Bluegrass clubs.  Residents and visitors to the Matakana Coast region will likely have run into them playing the Leigh Sawmill, Matakana Farmer’s Market, and other local events.  Often praised as the “second best free band in Leigh,” they’re a favourite at such local fundraisers as the Leigh Fishing Competition and the Whangateau Hall annual country faire.

The Pipi Pickers are Barry Torkington on guitar, Garry Bigwood on mandolin, guitar and vocals, Nat Torkington on 5 string banjo, and Jenine Abarbanel on double bass and vocals.  Jenine’s strong leading vocals have been compared to Natalie Merchant and Gillian Welch.  Nat Torkington is considered one of the best Scruggs-style 5-string banjo pickers in New Zealand, and his licks will blow your mind.

Whet your appetite here www.youtube.com/user/pipipickers.