All posts by Luke

About Luke

Luke Hurley guitarist and singer songwriter from New Zealand.

What a gravy train

news, video

Last night my good friend Nev Copland gave me a very expensive ticket to the Eagles at Mt Smart. A highlight was when the crowd chimed in on Hotel California and seemed to know every word of it.

The ticket prices were insane. I had no idea that the showbiz world had managed to schmoooze so much hard earned bread out of ardent punters. Would you pay 700 plus for a ticket? Even a cheap seat was close to 150.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamazing.
The Eagles are no doubt gifted musicians but their management is pure genius in being able to persuade 70 thousand people to pay HUNDREDS each for a ticket 6 months in advance.

What a gravy train! All costs returned and a MASSIVE profit IN ADVANCE. Two nights could return close to 20 million excluding merchandise and sponsorships etc. It’s nuts.

It don’t take Einstein to work out that there is something overshadowing music here.

I think I will apply for a job like that. Let you know how I get on.

Anyone got the chords to Hotel California? I understand there is plenty of room there. Book me in please.

Want to say a big thanks to Jonathan G for making videos of my songs. If you have time have a look at his work. Here they are below.   Update: Unfortunately Jonathan’s channel and clips seem to have disappeared.

Two Degrees (Out)

Japanese Overdrive

Pascals Song

Auld Lang Syne

Fait accompli (studio version)

First Civilian

Still not a lot of work out there so am keen to play at yours. Any excuse is ok. Just throw a NO REASON AT ALL PARTY and I come play for you. Originals only but I will do you a cover of Hotel California for a donation of 20 million in advance to give me six months to learn the song.

Seriously tho, if you require my services please text me/phone 02102592919 and I will come play for you. Teach you my songs. Read you stories. Anything.Conditions apply. Ha ha.

Anyway – I have to go but I ask of you to PLEASE give us some feedback. Really want to write this blog frequently and if you respond then its gonna give me the input I need to keep cranking

Have an awesome day then write in and tell me about it.

Bye for now

Luke

In your wildest dreams the real life stories of the street

news, philosophy, street stories, video

You could not script it in your wildest dreams the real life stories of the street. Things happen that you just don’t understand. Like the guy on the pushbike who does a wheelstand riding full speed down Queen St block after block. He does this often. Why? Who knows?

Or the guy who forever checks out the bins going about his quest in the manner of a professional he is retrieving left over drinks to top up the paper cup he carries. So many characters that come up to you asking for particular things and you kinda have to give in sometimes.

Like one guy who looked like THE most unhappy person I ever ever saw in my life. I couldn’t help staring at him. He noticed this and said “I suppose you think I’m a fuckwit”. I told him that I had no way of knowing where he was at. I asked him what he wanted.

He replied in the most heart wrenching tone I ever heard “I want to be happy”. I asked him what would make him happy. “A burger and chips” was his reply. Not knowing if this was his true desire I asked him to go get his burger and chips and make sure he brought me the receipt so we could be sure he wasn’t gonna spend the money on alcopops.

He came back some time later literally shaking with fear and held out a receipt and said that they didn’t have a burger and chips so he bought chicken and chips instead.” Is that ok” he said in a voice trembling with fear.

He was convinced I would get angry with him for not doing exactly as instructed. Never forget his trembling hand holding out a receipt and his forlorn face like someone reaching out from the depths of hell. He didn’t ask for much and he didn’t even expect to be allowed to have it. OMG he was the saddest guy ever. So locked in the shame of his own imaginings

As you can see from this video that was made by Hayden Booth

“The street is a great place to make a record and thats what I am in the process of doing.”

Don’t worry I have new material it’s just that he requested I do this one for BFM…its on their site now.

Much to tell but there is so little feedback from these blogs…perhaps everyone is on stalkbook all the time these days. Who knows.

Social and media are two things that mix like oil and water. It seems that for media to be successful it has to behave in a way that is antisocial.

What do you think friendly blog reader? Can you buy me a burger and chips? I wanna be happy.

Where are the best live music venues in Auckland?

blog, news

My friend Ulrik the guy who hired me to play in Denmark is coming to visit next month. He wants me to show him any clubs in Auckland where live music happens. Anyone out there know of any? One 2 One is a possible…if you can get in the door. It’s always packed. But where else is there? I am out a touch.

If you are reading this blog could you do me a favour? Write in and share your thoughts. It seems people read the blog but there don’t seem to be much response. I know its not that exciting but it would be a lot better if there was dialogue.

We need dialogue…

What would you like to see on the site? Please let me know. One idea is if I post up lyrics to my songs> Would that be of interest to anyone? Hands up?

Been following the advise of my Irish friend he advised me to “PLAY LIKE A BASTARD” he recommended I forget selling anything and just play.

Phone got stolen so no pics this time. Boo Hoo!

Check out my albums on bandcamp.com best way to support my cause is to buy my albums. When you do that it makes the running of this site for sore ears possible.

Have to give Jason a plug for making this site work. Check out his site also (dialogcrm.com) and if you need help setting one up let him know.

So please let me know what you are into. What books films etc you like fav venues insights anything post it all in and we will post it up. Lets get this circus on the road.

Broken Hallelujah – new film

music, news

Film-TalkThere will be a screening of Broken Hallelujah this Friday 17th at Rialto Newmarket, with a Q&A after the screening with the film makers, Alastair and Vanessa Riddell and key cast Ben Mitchell and Greg Smith.

We really hope you can make it and support the film, look forward to seeing you there.

After that you can see it for 3-5 weeks at the cinema. Watch the trailer below. The film includes music by me as a busker.

BROKEN HALLELUJAH (Trailer) Bound by love. Broken by betrayal. Redeemed by hope. from Alastair Riddell on Vimeo.

Words to live by

blog, news, philosophy, street stories

My friend Brazier with his baby.  He can sometimes be found in his bookshop in Dominion Rd.  Graham was a founding member of legendary NZ band Hello Sailor.

Somehow it is no surprise to find the songwriter of “Billy Bold” and many other songs at home with books and words.

GrahamB_resized

The shop abounds with interesting things.

store_resized

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Here is a note Graham’s mum typed out many years ago. There are a few differences but most of this comes from a very famous poem.

notesfrommum

It turns out that the original was written by Samuel Ullman. We found a more complete version over here.

Here are a couple of verses from that poem called “Youth”.

“Nobody grows old merely by a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals.

Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Worry, fear, self-distrust bows the heart and turns the spirit back to dust.

Whether sixty or sixteen, there is in every human being’s heart the lure of wonder, the unfailing child-like appetite of what’s next, and the joy of the game of living. In the center of your heart and my heart there is a wireless station; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer, courage and power from men and from the infinite, so long are you young.”