Your occupation, job title, artistic discipline (or very brief description of what you do):

I’m a videographer, event organiser, musician, and photographer.

What cities/towns have you lived in (or spent more than a few months in) beginning with the place of your birth?

Boston, Tauranga, Wellington, Auckland, Los Angeles, and now back to Tauranga.

What are the earliest stories you remember hearing? The ones that told you about the world?

Dr. Seuss, The Lion King, and Greek myths such as Icarus and Daedalus, Narcissus and Echo.

What’s your favourite Bay of Plenty landscape, park, building, location, suburb, or side street? Why?

Te Puna Quarry amphitheatre. A beautiful arena for live music set in nature, where I run Satellite Sessions concerts.

What’s an average day in your life at present?

My life is a rolling ball of messaging/emailing scads of people, editing videos, playing music and even writing some if I’m lucky, and going out to jam nights and social occasions.

What music was present and still memorable from your youth/adolescence?

At four years old, my first music was a folky compilation with Joni Mitchell, John Lennon, Bobby McFerrin and more. From age six to eight it was the Backstreet Boys and N’Sync, and also Weird Al. From 10 to 12, it was Elton John, Pink Floyd, James Taylor, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Death Cab for Cutie. John Mayer hit me hard at 14, and I started learning guitar and trying to master his incredible songs. Fleet Foxes were a huge influence; I started a high school band at age 16 trying to emulate them.

For you as a creative person, who are three influential artists or thinkers?

Stevie Wonder, musically; Bernie Sanders, for his fight; Hayao Miyazaki, for the vibe.

If you went away from the Bay of Plenty for a long time and then came back, what are the first three things you would do or visit?

Top of the Mount/in the water (in summer), go to a jam night with my mates, maybe Rice Rice Baby or Roxie’s burger deal.

Looking back at your teen-age self: what one sentence describes that person?

Guy who doesn’t know how much better life will be in the future for him.

If you had to eat the same meal every day, what would it be?

Lasagna.

What are you planning for 2022/2023 that nobody knows about yet?

Planning a cheeky trip back to the States for a month: L.A., Boston, who knows where else?

If the Prime Minister asked you to make up a new policy or law for New Zealand, what would it be?

Tax restructure around wealth/property, and use that to address inequality (Greens voter).

In one sentence, can you define art?

A performance or creation that seeks to show something entertaining to its audience. Don’t quote me on that!

What is missing or lacking from your Bay of Plenty community or environment?

I’m trying to cultivate a bigger live original music scene. It is slowly building, but we have to build up the artists and audiences at the same time!

Name a few films that you consider profound, moving or extraordinary?

Spirited Away, The Godfather, Almost Famous. I recently loved Everything, Everywhere, All at Once.

What was your first real job, second, third?

Holding down a real job was never my strong suit, I’ve been a freelancer for six years.

Where would you like to live, but have yet to?

Berlin! New York! London! Melbourne!

What word of advice would you offer an aspiring creative person?

For someone finding it difficult to be creative, I’d say find the enjoyment in doing it and improving it. Once that’s cooking, think about how people make the best of what you’re doing, and think about how you can chip away at that. Then, find a way to make your art pay or give back to you. Then, find ways to keep it interesting.

For those already doing it: be reliable and don’t be afraid of admin. The right situation will skyrocket your art.

What’s the biggest problem about life in New Zealand? How you would solve it?

Wealth inequality: the bottom 50% of people own 2% of wealth. We need tax changes to solve this.

What is your dream of happiness?

Famous songwriter/band member, making music with people I love. Marry, have kids, show them all the cool shit in life and get to experience it for the first time through their eyes.

Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself/your organisation?

Satellite Sessions has some sweet live music videos of awesome songs you should check out.

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