Connan Mockasin, San Francisco Bathhouse, reviewed by Janina Nicoll

CONNAN Mockasin’s debut album Please Turn Me Into The Snat requires some research, and an imagination.
According to online reports by Kyle Hugall, the alleged main “snat” who wanders onstage when Please Turn Me Into The Snat is played live, the snat is a creature that’s half snake and half rat. According to the urban dictionary “snat” means something else, which leads me onto Connan’s first single It’s Choade My Dear, a cute, catchy single which had the crowd smiling and singing “Please, take it off” as Connan sported a cheeky grin, conducting both the audience and band through a refreshing, clever and imaginative live rendition of his unique album.
Faking Jazz Together was a highlight, as Liam Finn (bass), his brother Elroy (drums), Wild “Bill” Ricketts (percussion) and Sam (on keys, backing vocals and anything he could get his hands on) belted out a capella choral phrases in between sparkly guitar lines and tight rhythmic sections.
Connan’s more surreal, dream-like music making style was balanced nicely by the experience and depth of Liam Finn’s bass lines and passionate drumming by brother Elroy.
The stability provided was the perfect foil to Connan’s spontaneity, and allowed Connan to immerse himself in his musical world, moving around the tiered 70s-style stage in his brand new jumpsuit, made by his cousin.
Thank goodness NZ On Air funds original music like that of Connan Mockasin.