Biography
Minisnap formed in Christchurch in the early 2000s as a creative outlet for The Bats members when that group went on hiatus — specifically to allow guitarist Kaye Woodward to step into the front seat as songwriter and vocalist. Without having to coordinate with Dunedin-based frontman Robert Scott, Woodward, bassist Paul Kean, and drummer Malcolm Grant could write and record on their own terms in Christchurch. The trio were joined by guitarist Marcus Winstanley, viola player Michael Summerfield, and Andy Scott (brother of Robert Scott) on charango.
The group debuted with the self-released In My Pocket CDr EP in 2002, followed by the March Hare EP in 2004. Their debut album Bounce Around arrived in 2008 on Pocket Music, recorded and mixed by Paul Kean. Rooted in the jangle-pop of the Dunedin Sound, the album showcases Woodward’s feather-light vocals and gift for singalong melody, with standouts including “New Broom” and the tender ballad “In the Morning”.
After 25 years with New Zealand’s The Bats, Kaye Woodward’s solo debut is a thoroughly charming record — one chiming, bouncy NZ rocker after another, each with a singalong chorus and bright melody
AllMusic
The Whistler 7″ single followed on Cloudberry Records in 2008, and the digital single Bear Hunt / Bayo Fowvin appeared in 2012. The band’s music has been described as much like The Bats — reliable and comfortable, built on snappy grooves and lovely melodies — but with Woodward’s distinctive songwriting voice at the centre. A vinyl reissue of Bounce Around by US label Tall Texan Records proved popular enough to sell out its pressing of 200 copies, and as of late 2025 the band have a follow-up album mastered and ready for release.
Members
- Kaye Woodward (vocals / guitar / keyboards, The Sundae Painters, Lyndon and the Liars, Minisnap, The Bats, The Percy Taiwan Band, The Sundae Painters)
- Paul Kean (bass / guitar / keyboards, Detroit Hemorrhoids, Minisnap, Playthings, The Bats, The Sundae Painters, The Superettes, Toy Love)
- Malcolm Grant (drums, Minisnap, Six Impossible Things, Trillionaires, Bill Direen, Lyndon and the Liars, Minisnap, Six Impossible Things, The Bats, The Builders, The Percy Taiwan Band, The Vacuum, The World, Trillionaires)
- Marcus Winstanley (guitar, Barnard’s Star, Barnard’s Star, Cowboy Machine, Minisnap, The Dialtones, The Undercurrents)
- Michael Summerfield (viola, Cowboy Machine, Dogfish, Minisnap, Tacoma Mould, The Bats, The Palace of Wisdom, The Undercurrents)
- Andy Scott (Alpha Channel, Charango, Minisnap)
Discography
- In My Pocket [EP] (2002, self-released, SNAP CD EP 001)
- March Hare [EP] (2004, self-released)
- Bounce Around [CD] (2008, Pocket Music)
- Whistler [7″] (2008, Cloudberry Records, CLOUDBERRY 1007)
- Bear Hunt / Bayo Fowvin [Digital Single] (2012, self-released)