AN ACCLAIMED Pencaitland musician is gearing up for a busy month, which will take him from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to New Zealand.

Simon Thacker will perform nine shows at the Fringe as part of Simon Thacker’s Svara-Kanti before then heading out to New Zealand for a seven-show tour.

This year, Simon, who will be classical guitarist/composer, will be joined by Raju das Baul, who will be on khamak, and Delhi-born tabla master Sarvar Sabri.

Simon told the Courier: “We’ll be transforming one of the world’s most universally affecting forms in a merging of startling virtuosity, powerful traditions and pioneering intercultural collaboration.

“We will also be appearing on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune and the BBC Asian Network, amongst others, and recording an album at Pencaitland’s Castlesound Studios right after.” The chance to play in New Zealand comes on the back of success at last year’s Fringe, where he performed as part of Simon Thacker’s Ritmata and was joined by Paul Harrison, Mario Caribe and Stu Brown for six concerts at The Cafe, Summerhall.

The Made in Scotland showcase featured promoters from major festivals in New Zealand, Brazil, China, the USA and India.

Now, that hard work has paid off with the chance to perform at the Taranaki International Arts Festival and Christchurch Arts Festival in New Zealand.

The 36-year-old said: “The day after the Fringe performances, I leave for New Zealand, to tour with Simon Thacker’s Ritmata, including performances at two of the major festivals in the region.

“These performances are as a direct result of the success of our Made in Scotland run last year, where the directors of the two festivals saw us, resulting in this invitation. Creative Scotland is supporting the tour too.” Before that, Simon will be performing at the Jazz Bar in Edinburgh on Sunday and also at Penicuik Arts on Wednesday.

It continues a busy year for the musician, who appeared on television in front of an audience of millions in Pakistan in January. He toured the Asian country and played seven concerts, as well as appearing on three major television shows and state radio.