Peter Mrkusich

Guitarist, Composer, Vocalist

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Photo credits: Jennifer Franich

I have been playing music for most of my life. As a bass player I have played with a number of Rock covers bands including Speakeasy, Sundance and KGB. I have also played with several Irish bands The Rumrunners, Strange Brew and the Rattling Roaring Willies for a short time.

How we started:

My son Eli and I had our own duo called To Ry Da which played mostly Irish music but also included some original songs in the repertoire. I have been writing my own music for many years and always dreamed of playing in a group that only played original music.

One day in the beginning of the year 2000, Eli and I were busking in Cuba Mall when we heard the sound of cello and violin drifting up the mall. We went to investigate and found Fran and her friend Nancy also busking. They asked us to join in their playing. We then went back to Eli’s flat for a jam. Fran, Eli and I started regular jam sessions and soon we were putting together a band.

We got a gig at the Tree House in Cuba Mall playing all original songs. At this stage we had John Broadbent on flute and harmonica and Vlad on percussion. Phil Riley came to see us perform and asked us if we would like to do some recording in his studio Life of Riley. John, Eli, Fran and I recorded three of my songs to be offered to someone who was putting together a local Hutt Valley song writers cd.

After the recording project John decided that he would concentrate on other projects and the three of us kept on playing. We were then joined by Alan Gamlen a violinist who discovered he had a gift for improvisation. We concentrated on original music but we still played a few jigs and reels to help pay the bills. It was at this point that we adopted the name Carousel.

Alan left to teach in Japan and we were lucky enough to be joined by Susan. Susan and I had played together a couple of times and I knew how good she was. That was three years ago and since then we have made two albums, toured overseas and within New Zealand, performed live on TV and radio.

The feedback we are receiving is so positive that we believe our music can and should reach a wider international audience. We plan to take it around the world in September 2004.

I would like to thank you for reading this and hope that you continue to enjoy the music we love to make.