Moments%20Like%20These

There’s a lot more to Bernie Griffen than meets the eye. He’s a compassionate and charitable character who has had a lot of experience in the recording and distribution business. He runs his own record label, Flaming Pearl Records, and for more than a decade was in the music distribution game as CEO of the now defunct Global Routes. During this time Bernie was also the first chairperson of indie label organisation IMNZ. His passion for the music has always been the motivation that has nurtured his belief. After something of a sabbatical Bernie Griffen is back out there, with his band The Grifters, doing what he loves the most – writing meaningful songs and singing ’em live. ...more

Rob Burns arrived here from the UK with 28 years of experience as a session bass player, touring musician and composer. He has been a Dunedin resident for over a decade, and, yes the Robert Burns association is well pedaled. His history includes playing with David Gilmour, Pete Townshend, Eric Burdon, Jon Lord and Ian Paice, James Burton, Albert Lee and Jerry Donahue. He also played on television soundtracks for Blackadder, Mr. Bean and Red Dwarf, to say nothing of the odd high profile TV commercial. He’s also a teacher with his former students playing for bands and artists such as Basement Jaxx, K.T. Tunstall, Chaka Khan, Moby and Radiohead. Rob is currently is endorsed by Picato Musicians’ Strings, J-Retro pre-amps and Electric Wood basses. He is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Music at Otago University. ...more

As the Senior Maori Development Manager of Massey University-based tertiary teaching centre Ako Aotearoa, chair of Puatatangi (the music subset of Maori arts organisation Toi Maori Aotearoa), and a board member of the NZ Music Commission, Ngahiwi Apanui continues to be as actively involved in Maori music, broadcasting and the promotion of te reo Maori as he was 25 years ago – then as guitarist and leader of ground-breaking late 1980s band Aotearoa. For the last five years he has been event manager of the vibrant Maori music showcase event Pao Pao Pao! This year a song from his own very personal album ‘Matariki’ was a finalist for APRA’s Maioha Award – which he won already back in 2003 with his song Whaarikihia – as well as that year’s ‘Best Mana Reo Album’ Tui for ‘E Tau Nel’. ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick’ might well be a suitable metaphor for Ngahiwi, only he seems way too nice to actually use the stick, if he carried one. ...more

Lachlan Rutherford’s musical career started at Otago University as the bass player for Stash, the bad boys of mid ’70s Dunedin student rock. These days he is President of Warner Music, Asia - Pacific. It’s some considerable journey that started with organising humble courtyard parties (often attended by undercover drug squad members), taking him right through to the corridors of corporate power. Lachlan’s career path included 18 years with EMI, for 13 of which he was directing its Asian operations and himself adapting to different musical cultures and business models. ...more

Andrew Dubber has a CV that is overly impressive. He worked for 20 years in NZ radio, created a number of innovative radio shows, engineered and produced a plethora of local albums, founded the Tap Records label specialising in New Zealand jazz before academic opportunities took him overseas. These days Andrew is Reader in Music Industries Innovation at Birmingham City University, co-founder of the Birmingham Centre for Media and Cultural Research, a member of a major European jazz research project, music industry consultant, public speaker, DJ, haver-of-ideas and the author of New Music Strategies. Andrew is regarded as one of the foremost thinkers on the way in which music and its creation is changing in the 21st Century. He’s all those things without even being a nerd. ...more

Chris Caddick is an ‘industry’ guy who just loves music. He understands the creative process and what makes artists tick. He should. He’s always been surrounded by musicians. They trust Chris and that’s what made him one of the best major label guys, albeit of the old school variety… the old school really were the best school. From 1978 to 2008 Chris worked for EMI NZ, moving up from retail manager to Managing Director. During his time he was genuinely considerate and decisively emphatic about nurturing NZ content and catalogue. Chris may have walked corporate corridors, and pushed international priorities but his door and ears were always open to what was happening in our own back yard. Those sort of credentials and sympathies make him a popular choice for his new appointment as the CEO of RIANZ. NZ musicians now know a top bloke in a top job. ...more

Back in the sixties Aotearoa had a thriving R’n’B and pop scene that literally catapulted a number of bands and artists into the limelight. Back then Shane was about as big as one could get in this country. His version of St Paul was a monster hit, dominating the local charts in 1969 and winning the 1969 Golden Disc Award. It still remains a perennial. He followed it up with singles Lady Samantha, Natural Man, Get It Together and No Regrets, proving it was not a pop fluke. Shane Hales has devoted a lifetime to music and it’s no easy road. He has just recorded a new album in the same studio where he started his career four decades ago. It’s called ‘Full Circle’. ...more

Ryan Monga and his wife Betty-Anne are two musicians and one couple whose musical journey saw them start out in the clubs of South Auckland and sidle into the ’80s inner city nightclub scene, registering an immediate impact on an audience that had never known ‘South Auckland’s best kept secret’ ever existed. Their success as Ardijah has done much for not only the music community of South Auckland but also for Aotearoa. It’s a credit to their motivation and their perseverance that sees Ardijah still actively Polyfonking today, with an 18-track ‘classic hits’ album released in November. ...more

I met Richard Kennedy back in the late ’80s when he hitched a ride with me from Wellington to Auckland one time. There was a third passenger in the car as well. Although that drive is the single occasion that Richard and I shared one another’s company, my enduring memory is that Richard had no outward appearance of questioning the pursuit of the artist’s life. You never know how the past is going to turn out – who would have guessed then that The Clash would one day impersonate his band for a Scorsese film? It’s reaffirming to reconnect nearly 20 years later and find that Richard’s motivation in music is still as single minded as ever, to see that true creative ‘spirit’ is ageless and relevant. Even if neither of us can remember who that third passenger was! ...more

Karl Steven and his band Supergroove, who evolved out of The Low Down Dirty Blues Band some 20 years ago, went on to usher in the era of mega popular, multi-platinum local albums. They toured globally and in the tradition of all good bands, split up on the release of their second album. Karl Steven went on to a substantial university career and has a PhD in philosophy. He has since fortunately returned to NZ and to music production and composition for film and TV, as well as breathlessly fronting The Drab Doo-Riffs, another damn stylish band. ...more

James Pinker is a highly experienced producer, percussionist and sound engineer who started out playing drums with Jed Town in The Features, one of the first bands to record on Simon Grigg’s Propeller Records, about three decades back. It set James on an eclectic musical trail that included time in Australia and a lengthy stint in the UK where he worked and toured with a number of bands including The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Pogues, Dead Can Dance, two albums with Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn and with Michael Brook on Peter Gabriel’s Realworld label. James is a man who has been fortunate enough to devote his life to music and art. He is also the only person I know who has met William Burroughs. ...more

Greg Johnson is a generous, intelligent, creative musician whose way with words has always been articulate, imaginative and poetic. Like any true artist, Greg has experienced those moments of self-doubt where one can question if anything you do matters to anyone. It’s now been eight years, and four albums, since he relocated to live in LA. His determination to maintain his focus and nurture his creative bent reminds me of a line by Leonard Cohen: ‘There’s a crack in everything and that’s how the light gets in’… Greg’s light continues to shine. Can you remember who took this photo and when? I can’t for the life of me remember who took the pic but it was near the Auckland railway station in Parnell on a Sunday afternoon in 1986. This was the last version of Diatribe I think, or possibly even Seven Deadly Sins… ...more

Harry Russell has had the moniker 'ratbag' for as long as I have known him. He was the 'legend in his own lunchtime' as immortalised in the rare single recorded by The Gurlz in the early 1980s. As John Dix writes in Stranded in Paradise Harry was a 'Remuera schoolboy caught in the politics of punk'. Also a regular contributor to Rip It Up, he played in the legendary Herco Pilots, and released their 7” vinyl gems on his own REM label. Harry coined the phrase 'where there's a wall, there's a way' for his postering service and like most of us back then, hung out with anyone, anywhere and anytime where there was a free bar tab. Harry prophetically lived in the Brooklyn building in Emily Place, central Auckland. ...more

Eldred Claude Stebbing lost his father when aged just nine, which perhaps goes a long way to explain his battling nature and also why he for so long helmed his own family-run company. Stebbing Ltd has been one of the most enduring and most successful businesses in our entertainment sector, embracing over time the very modern paradigm of the 360 deal – beginning with recording and releasing 78s in the late 1940s, excelling in rock’n’roll A&R during the 1960s, as well as a leading record label and widely renowned recording studio. From vinyl, through cassette and VHS tape production, today Stebbing Recording Centre Ltd is the countrys biggest CD and DVD manufacturer, having opened a comprehensive plant in 1999. Over five decades Eldred repeatedly confirmed his entrepreneurial streak as well as considerable technical and musical abilities. When The Mint Chicks re-recorded Ray Columbus & The Invaders’ hit She’s A Mod to celebrate the bands recent NZ Hall of Fame induction, the role of Eldred Stebbing and his Zodiac Records label was brought back into focus. Born in 1921, it has only been in very recent years that Eldred was less than actively involved in the running of the family business based in Auckland’s Herne Bay. NZ Musician was priviledged to have this opportunity to talk with Eldred just weeks before he passed away in early December. His son Robert assisted with answering some of the questions provided for this Moments Like These column. ...more

Peter McLennan was once the guitarist in Hallelujah Picassos and these days makes music as Dub Asylum. He is a self-described Auckland musician, a DJ, writer, graphic designer, music blogger and pop culture junkie who buys lots of magazines. His creative curiosity and eclectic taste is only some of the sum of his many parts… a musical gent who is always on time! ...more

One of Bryan Staff’s most apparent attributes is that he has never been shy in coming forward and it’s that spirit which has seen him dabble in so many creative areas. He was the man who founded Ripper Records (in 1979) and gave the local ‘punk’ scene a place to play at XS Café. He’s been (and still is) a broadcaster, a band manager and written a fine book on local music called ‘For The Record’. Most of all Bryan has been a fan who has contributed so much energy and passion into local music and pop culture. Last year he played a big role the 30th anniversary re-release of ‘AK79’, the era-defining album that captured the thriving Auckland punk scene just ahead of the arrival of the 1980s. More typically the one behind the camera, Bryan dug up these two classic Androidss’ moments from that time. ...more

In late April it was announced to the world that Darren Watson’s song All Going Wrong had been judged the Best Blues Song in the 2008 International Songwriting Competition, a prestigious US-based comp which attracted over 15,000 entries from around the world. There wouldn’t be many musicians in our capital who don’t know Darren as a capital chap. Whether from his days playing and recording in Smokeshop, from selling and teaching guitar, or as a general mainstay of the Wellington blues scene. (Chicago) Smokeshop were such a great live band, Darren had this sound and notion of economy in his playing that remains unique. Bruce Iglauer (Alligator Records), Robert Cray and George Thorogood all gave Smokeshop a thumbs up. And now, well over a decade later All Going Wrong has got him going alright. ...more

Midge Marsden is one of those guys that deserves a statue in a New Plymouth park… He’s a harp blowing bluesologist who’s had a passion for rhythm and blues spanning four decades. He was voted NZ Entertainer of the Year in 1990 and his ‘Burning Rain’ album from a year later still stands the test of time. Midge has toured the USA numerous times and traded licks with the real dealers. His knowledge of the blues includes a Diploma in Southern Studies when he graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1996. Midge is truly the sum of all his parts. ...more

New York-raised Nigel Gavin has chosen to call New Zealand his home and the country is better for it. Nigel is a brilliant guitarist who plays like an accomplished and riveting novelist. His music takes you places… in fact his artistry should be prescribed as alternative medicine, such is the effect his music can have on one's well being. For those who haven't heard the name, you will likely know the bands and musicians he's played with: Nairobi Trio, Jews Brothers, Gitbox Rebellion, Lorina Harding, Wayne Gillespie and legendary guitarist Robert Fripp. He featured on the cover of NZM's April/May 1992 issue, has released two solo albums and recently a concert DVD. ...more

Chris Matthews formed and fronted The Headless Chickens, a band that wrote and performed music that was dark and mostly loud, occasionally brooding and always powerful. Between 1985 and 2000 they delivered three studio albums, each of which continue to stand up creatively and artistically. Neither commerce nor commodity has anything to do with why Chris has continued to be creative. He just is. The most delightful contradiction about Chris is that for someone who delivers music that is often seriously dark, his imagination and sense of humour remain original and enlightening. ...more

Graeme Humphreys / Hill is not two men, but there are times when he gives the impression that he must be. Back when he was breakfast DJ on Auckland student radio station bFM and a founding member of Flying Nun band the Able Tasmans, one could have easily been forgiven for not knowing his creativity extended further than the parameters of the indie ‘alternative’ musician tag of those times. If anything Graeme subscribed to the maxim that the only real alternative was to listen to all kinds of music. That is perhaps why his musical curiosity has allowed him to follow his instinct, which in his case, is the compass of his intellect. ...more

Being NZM's 20th birthday we thought it was an opportune time to turn the mic on our 'Moments' column curator Trevor Reekie. ...more

Rob Mayes epitomises a life long independence and work ethic that runs on uncompromising self-belief and a cash flow that would scare off anyone not possessing the same motivation. Rob is well endowed with 'attitude' which, in combination with courage and inventiveness, has given him the broad knowledge and expertise he tirelessly lends towards keeping the Christchurch music scene vibrant. The Rob Mayes moxie is a typically can-do 'mainland' attitude and the music industry down south would be poorer without it. ...more

Martin Phillipps, one of Dunedin's favourite sons, is a humble yet enigmatic man. In many respects Martin Phillipps took Dunedin to the world and became a foundation that helped build a global reputation for the Flying Nun label. Martin's back catalogue has an enviable quota of original songs that will always retain iconic status in the musical tapestry of Aotearoa. Martin has seen an unusual share of highs and lows - the sort that come with the territory - yet he has never neglected or abandoned his songwriting craft. He has created his very own special chapter in local history, and safe to say it's a chapter still far from complete. ...more

Tom Sharplin is a rock'n'roll survivor. He survives by following the course he has set for himself with integrity and honesty. He's got a good name and he's got good friends... the kind of respect that doesn't stick without paying those proverbial dues. Anyone who knows Tom would agree he has done so forever... and he's still doing it. ...more

A glance back at personal archives... ...more

As far as what to expect when getting into music - don't expect anything. Just keep doing it, keep plugging away, keep trying to get better and take the breaks if they come your way. Bottom line though, if it isn't fun, don't do it... ...more

There were rumblings and ripples through the crowd as Bridget, Debbie and Debra arrived and slipped through the assembly each in their own way. ...more

Jan Hellriegel was always was one of the coolest people on the local music scene. ...more

Shona Laing has always had an ambiguous, sometimes turbulent relationship with the music industry. ...more

Chris Bourke is currently working on his second book - sufficient to qualify him for the description of ‘author’. ...more

Back in the early '80s South Auckland was not the musical destination point it is today. It was more the domain of covers bands full of players who were fabulous musicians and a time when bands rarely played original music. Ardijah were one of the first to break that mould, bringing their high energy South Auckland 'Polyfonk' first into the inner city and then to the rest of the country. Simon Lynch was the keyboard player who helped define the South Auckland sound. He later co-founded Southside Records and remains well respected in the local industry as producer and recording engineer... and a right decent dude with it! ...more

On Monday, 21st November 1966 Radio Hauraki started test transmission, anchored in the Hauraki Gulf outside the three-mile territorial waters, on 1480AM "Radio Hauraki, Top Of The Dial". It was the beginning of commercial radio in this country. 2006 marks the 40th anniversary of Radio Hauraki first going to air. It was New Zealand's first pirate radio station. In the mid '70s Hauraki became the only pirate radio station to be granted a private land licence and effectively broke the State monopoly on the airwaves. ...more

Ray Columbus is the only man I know who has an OBE. He's the only man I know who's been a pop star all our adult lives. Ray Columbus was having hits here and in Australia 40 years ago. Some of his records even outsold the Stones! And he's still on the road... always busy. Ray won't mind me saying this, but he invented self promotion. They didn't have PR people back then. It is that same energy and savvy that has enabled him to have a career... a lifetime in music. ...more

Sonya Waters survived the early punk bands in Auckland. She fronted the Instigators. That in itself would take some degree of fortitude. Her creative voyage has never wavered. ...more

Murray Cammick is a legend in New Zealand music and it's seriously debatable if the local industry would be where it is without his outstanding contribution over the years. Photographer, writer, editor, DJ, and founding father to the Southside and Wildside record companies... A man of delightful eccentricities, a fine mind and a great sense of humour. There should be a statue of Murray in Albert Park! ...more

I’ve always figured Rikki Morris to be the kind of kid who, expecting a kitten, probably asked for a horse. ...more

Kerry Buchanan has benn a fixture at Real Groovy Records in Auckland for a long time. He has more tattoos than Fletcher christian and is a writer of considerable merit. ...more

Kerry Buchanan has been a fixture at Real Groovy Records in Auckland for a long time. He has more tattoos than Fletcher Christian and is a writer of considerable merit. A musicoligist and a musician, he has destroyed many a drum kit playing in bands (Rooter and the Terrorways) that were punk nightmares with attitudes ... ...more

Dave McArtney was a founding member of Hello Sailor, a band that made a significant contribution to Kiwi rock. ...more

It seems like Simon Grigg has always been a major player in the local music scene. ...more