Played at an exhibition opening the other day that featured photos of street people. Awesome work as you can see. The guests really wanna help these guys. But none were on the guest list.
The place was crowded out and high rollers turned up and the general vibe was authentic. Bit like when Beethoven was all the rage but no one wanted him to do a house concert coz he would wreck the piano.
There’s the artist with the gallery boss and the artist with his associates.
Likewise these guys inspire great art but are themselves excluded from the opening.
It’s one thing thinking it’s good to be there for the down and out but it’s the too hard basket to give significant time to them. If time is money the time it would take to bring real hope is just way way way over budget.
But it’s a magnificent exhibition and it was literally an overnight sensation atthe high profile gallery hosting it. They didn’t even mention it on their website.I thought “funny”.
But like most artistic enterprises in Auckland it’s not important unless it comes from overseas.
You have to visit the Auckland CBD to witness the exponential increase in homeless people
Property investors have had their fun in creating the biggest bubble in history.
While some wait for the bubble to burst with a slump in property values.
Others are experiencing the burst already in terms of not being able to afford a place to live.
And where do many of them head?
Into town or head for the hills.
The hills are better but if they end up in town where do they go?
Well.
The busiest corners and outside supermarkets of course
The giant supers in town have become streetpeoplecentral
Not for one or two but for three or twenty at a time hovering round the main entrances
And you know what?
It’s not my problem
It’s probably not your problem
It’s not the governments problem
Or the banks
Or the landlords
Or the vagrants themselves
You know what
It’s OUR problem
Yes!
It affects everybody who arrives in our 100% clean green commercial capital delusion.
It’s beyond belief that a country that hosts some of the richest people and corporates in the world is happy to tolerate this situation. The rich have a duty to offer real support as only they can afford to build for the poor. And create a building industry concerned with the equitable and not just about equity and instant returns.
No one else can afford to.
One time I was playing outside a super and the manager and assistant manager told me I couldn’t play. I told them I could. See some of that story below and earlier.
That was back in the good old days when all they had to do was shoo away one street musician.
Now they need to move tuneless multitudes.
People with nothing to lose tend to stick around.
And people who can do concerts don’t need to play where they are not wanted.
Anyway. Speaking of concerts – there is one coming up and I am happy to report that Dave Alley has agreed to be wingman.
Check out the this video from Dave.
Dave is dynamic and down to earth and puts on a performance not to be missed.
“Dave Alley is influenced chiefly by Dylan, Bowie, Bukowski et al, Fry, Hendrix, Buddy Guy, Richard Thompson, Waits and the tones of Santana, Dave Alley isn’t sure who or what, musically & lyrically, he is. Ending up being a heavily refracted version of himself most of the time. Dave is a spiritually sonic cluster fuzz of atoms whizzing around and around and around, perhaps a little more so after good fresh-ground morning coffee..”
We have other guests and will keep you posted. Please come to the show and even consider sponsoring others to come in your place if you can’t come!
Coming up this Thursday at Ponsonby Baptist Church with AJ. Bell, Chris Jones, Miller Yule, Sina, Emma Paki and more. Celebrating Mental Health Awareness week. See poster below.
Was thinking that blogging is very last week and not cool. Then it occurred to me that those are great reasons to keep going.
It’s amazing how kind you people have been to me I need to write to you often
The good news is that i have something to write about now that it is possible to return to my fav venue in its hugely improved condition.
The gig is on Friday 27 October in the Pioneer Women’s Hall at the Ellen Melville Centre, Freyberg Square, High Street, Auckland Central.
I have good memories of my first show there. This one is gonna follow that formula. Simple renditions of my best songs old and new. Instrumentals and a bit of a chat. We might even invite a guest or two. Please make this kind of event sustainable and try to turn up or sponsor someone else to come in your place tickets are $20 as before .
Starts 7 pm and finishes late. Call me if you need more info 02102592919 or feel inclined to be on the sales team. Let’s get the word out. The more the merrier
Very grateful to Audrey Van Ryn, Andrew Howie and Phil Recordon for without their help this concert would not be possible. Also Clive for his great insight at times where I had no insight into my own behaviour.
I love both street and stage but the stage is less distracting for me and way more comfy for listeners.
CONCERT DETAILS
Friday 27 October in the Pioneer Women’s Hall at the Ellen Melville Centre, Freyberg Square, High Street, Auckland Central. 7pm until 10pm. Tickets $20
Please think about supporting this one. It’s gonna be fun
Tickets Oct 27 concert at Ellen Melville Centre – buy online
$20 a ticket P.S click on orange buttons below to buy. You will be emailed directly by secure PayPal. Tickets will also be for sale on the door – bring cash. Doors open at 6pm.
Thank you readers for supporting me in 2016.
Wonderful support and encouragement.
You brought me great happiness
We got the concerts underway
We got the equipment needed guitars that match different styles
Recordings also….But I have yet to promote these
Facundo made two albums of my live playing for release on his Argentinian label
He records for two days and VOILA he makes an album
His point is very valid.
The way things are now you can capture music easily
People want that
And if we musicians and writers of songs and music don’t give it to them…
why the people just help themselves or turn their attention towards artists who are more generous with their muse
It’s not about the equipment anymore
it’s about the ideas and being prepared to share them.
If you need me call 02102592919 I am happy to play at gatherings the smaller the better and also happy to teach my style. Your feedback would be most appreciated as I am keen to play more
Have a great Christmas and don’t let the Coke pimp convince your kids to love things and use people( instead of the other way around.)
The place was crowded out and high rollers turned up and the general vibe was authentic. Bit like when Beethoven was all the rage but no one wanted him to do a house concert coz he would wreck the piano.
