An exercise in writing. To spill out a few words and phrases and knit them together as a single work. So, deliberately, there wasn’t much in the way of curation or re-writing in this. Listen to it here. Do you ever dream of Jeannie? Do you wonder about the wall? Do you ever walk on the wild side? Do ya, Do ya, Do ya Ever … Continue reading Random Thoughts

This is a song that has anthem written all over it. Also can be covered by a male or female. Check out Amy Innes’ version. You Ain’t Alone – Ivy on a stone wall grew Your glorious past escaping you Music playing, but it was only an echo On a dark and empty stage – You had Marshall stacks turned up to eleven Now your … Continue reading You Ain’t Alone

This something I penned many moons ago for the NZ Cafe Magazine. Any similarities to any New Zealand cafe owner is entirely coincidental. Phone rings; “Hello Cafe Magazine, the Editor speaking” “Ah yeah gidday Ed. Trev Dagg here. You might have heard of me dad, Fred?  No, I’m not a farmer like him. This why I’ve rung to get a bit of advice from your … Continue reading Baristering Around

A song about commitment. Or not. There are nods here to Dunedin writer, Janet Frame. And the world’s steepest street is in Dunedin which fits my metaphor well. Slowly coming around to see her standing right in front of me Arriving Sunday morning like an envoy from a Mirror City But I couldn’t be caught I couldn’t take vows I couldn’t be held I was … Continue reading Holding You Deep

Imagine if Bruce Springsteen grew up in Tokoroa? I wrote this lyric based on that scenario. I reckon he will have identified with the blue collar vibe of Tok. And it was/is a musical town. I fondly remember local bands like Tim Armstrong’s City Edition. My words, Suno music (don’t shoot me : I can’t play a guitar). “A couple of vans and an old … Continue reading A New Stage

Living in the seventies in New Zealand. No internet, no cellphones. I, felt the sunshine hit my face We were forced outside to embrace The magic kingdom of our backyard space Where we ran, and hid and mucked about On sunny days mums would all decide That kids and dogs were banned from inside I, hung with children down the road Our mums were all … Continue reading The Goodnight Kiwi

A tribute to the people lost in 1968. In April when our summer escapes The last sun hits the Marlborough grapes It sweetens the wine for the season But way back in Sixty Eight Black skies congregate And the weather changes for no reason The near-new Wahine was grand With people and freight as its daily load Linking the halves of New Zealand It was … Continue reading Wahine.

Dedicated to Laura Lawson. Laura, had a cool way of being a nerd Her different style slowly emerged She never knew quite why Was she an alien or a guy? No one cared in the end She was great, a groovy friend So we’re gonna miss you everyday Your silly grin and quirky ways A scatterling, just a kiwi kid, threatening to blaze So very … Continue reading So Very Laura

Some of my forebears were Scottish immigrants to New Zealand in the 1800s. Tough times, but a gold rush beckoned…. A dirty gangway, freezing day. From a Clydeside dock you sailed away The old ship was your ticket outa there You always were the curious one So where are you going to, my son? I’m off to the goldfields downunder, ma. You drew a map … Continue reading A Promise of Escape.

[piano] Thought that you were sleeping, til I saw your open eyes It’s Auckland in the morning and I’m a morning guy I say let us take a walk it’s a chance to talk We always have so many things to say And we’ll get to chalk the first words on the blackboard of today Down at Mission Bay [Choir] When the sun comes up … Continue reading Mission Bay

We all like a Christmas song eh? As a great Cranberries fan, I’ve long wanted to do a tribute to Dolores O’Riodan. I also had a niece and nephew in Rome and Dublin this year and it lead me, in a rather haphazard path, to this lyric and then this song. Here’s a version I concocted with the help of Art Innes. You can also … Continue reading Call Me On Christmas Day

A song about storms. Real ones but those inside our heads as well. My words, Ai added with my prompting for a stormy power ballad sound…. This has my Amy Innes video as a bonus. I tried to capture the rawness and power of a storm in the music, words and video. Find it here A twister hit the city  And you were barely born No … Continue reading Storm