No more “day 1” in my musical life than this dude (Neil Watson aside). My friend, a mentor and teacher, a rock of support and has been on my side through highs and lows. Happy birthday to my brother, Godfrey de Grut.
I remember I was DJing at PSC talking to the bro @honehikoi.ygb who asked me if I had heard Friday. Had never nor since, been mentioned in a tune which was pretty cool lol. And from that to jumping in for a gig where apparently but my memory sucks, Broome and I played together for the first time.
Lotsa water under the bridge. Some amazing times, and the last few years have been fucking special the way the lads keep elevating, and the band has to match. The thought that goes into our shows inspires me. These fuckers are some of the most important people in my life, and this is gonna be a bloody amazing night.
Don’t tell them what i said abt them being important ok…
New venue cool, artist area amazing, weather stunning.
Gotta say that today was one of the best homegrown sets i been blessed to play. @aaradhna killin’ it, @emilymuli@justjoce2322 and @lilajnr.lj slaying the BVs, SUPER subs @adam_tobeck and @samnakamuraa and of course the man of the moment @ivan_productions who played his last show with us today.
Hard to overstate the importance of Ivan’s presence in the band. Musically amazing but the soul and spirit of the man has wowed people from NZ to Aussie to Taiwan, India and beyond. Today was today cause of you. And now the bro moves on to a new and exciting phase, love you e hoa.
Great to jam with my bro @che_fu again, love you sta. And dope to perform with Sammy J and Nainz again.
Thanks to @moehwk for all the wranglin and thanks @jimbeamhomegrown
A no brainer for the latest in the one take series. Classic one take with mistakes and running the focusrite too hot, but it about the vibes.
Big couple days, nē. A massive loss, hearing the passing of Matua Dilworth Karaka. He was always the skux dude in Herbs when growing up. Had the mean spike hairdo, that vibe of cool uncle (like my Uncle Ike with his mean hats). I met Dil through my work with Che, through Whare Tapere, being a massive fan (thanks Wicks for the Aussie pressing of Sensitive album) and then he was with us when we went to the nrl final and played for the Warriors after. Was great to spend time with him, to hear stories and to just to be around him. Massive loss.
And we farewell Fish, manager of @che_fu for a lot of those formative days. A big personality and a man who had to grow a lot into his role as Che's career moved forward. A man you were glad to have on your side. Ask me about the trip to Wellie with Fish and the Don looking after youse, team strong! And the band and people around were integral in who i became as a musician and as a human. Love to the OG Krates!
Shaken by these two losses, as much for the memories of good days it brings back to the present. So, this song seems apt (with love to the memory of Bob Mita).
Lunchtime jam! Had to honour the legend #SlyDunbar with a one take wonder. Hard to emphasise the importance. You know me, you know the Barrett brothers were godly. But they were a rhythm section gateway for me. Sly & Robbie had such a diff approach that it took me a bit to get it but when i did, my lord. The importance of locking in, stripping it back and providing that rock solid foundation. Forever inspiring. Coulda chosen songs that go back to Double Barrel, but this one with Mr Rose (St James concert, anyone?!) is a fave
Lunchtime jam! Was driving home the other day and this came on and faaaark what a jam, from a bloody lovely album from Don West. Featuring my daughter and an errant major 3rd note which will haunt me. But, jam's a jam, mate
Was a year, wasn't it.......
Good to get a few shows under the belt. And nice to have them spread among the artists I play for. S/O to all the promoters and organisers (and whoever decided an 8pm slot on main stage at RnV on NYE for the Brew, bless you!)
Spent a lot of 2025 in flux, dealing with grief and reflecting on relationships. Have not really felt so isolated before, and yet knowing there were knocks at the door that I was not prepared for, scared away from, and just not interested in. But a good talk with Chris Tate helped me realign some things and getting a good run of shows has helped me realise I still like this music thing, to the point where I bought another fucking pedal and now have to upsize the board. And some gigs coming up this year which are really exciting, and I'm enjoying chucking on a bass again. New house, new workstation, new adventures.
14th June, 2025. Losing Mum and LB on the same day put a big pause on one of the many clocks that tick away in our lives. But it feels good to start winding it up again.
Bit of a low confidence morning so took ten mins to reflect and play bass, on a tune which always makes me reflect.
Few years back on the road with Tami, playing one of the excellent Broadbeach fests. The homie Justin Rudge told us to go check @sweettalkmusic , and the couple sets I saw that weekend turned me into a big fan.
Great two gat lineup, dope keys, beaut vox and a fucking stunning rhythm section. One of the bands that makes me frustrated that they aren’t bigger than they are. Their EP and album are constant rotates.
Anyways, love this tune and knew I had to have a quick lunchtime jam. Off to find my confidence now
Mauri ora
Next up in filling-time-between-gigs-with-a-jam vid. Life is very full on (in an already full on year) but having a jam over any tune on the Jalen Ngonda album is a good time. One of those albums which to me is bass perfect.
My vibe with these is sit down, play a take and leave it there. Just about having a fun lil jam on a killer tune. Vibes!
Blessed to play with many a great drummer, but @nickgaffaney is my Day 1 bro. Our first tour was before i auditioned for Loungehead which lead to meeting Che which, etc etc.
Made me a better musician but more importantly helped make me become a better human.
Happy birthday (NZT) e hoa. Love ya
