To celebrate New Zealand Music Month, The Courier has caught up with some of South Canterbury’s musical maestros to talk about their journeys and experiences with music. In this week’s edition, reporter Connor Haley talks with rising country rock star Brad Staley.
Q: Where did your love for music first start and who were some early inspirations?
A: My love for music first came about while sitting in a car seat next to my father listening to Garth Brooks and George Strait. Bouncing around the Mackenzie basin in a solid axle 2.4 diesel Hilux, it was my job to wind the cassette tape back so it could be turned over to the B side.
That soon transitioned to being in charge of the CD folder and selecting a careful mix of Midge Marsden, John Lee Hooker, Dire Straits, The Eagles, and Creed to play for guests at home or in the car going to school in the morning.
Q: When did you first pick up an instrument and start thinking it was a hobby/interest you wanted to pursue?
A: The first time I picked up a guitar was age 9. My cousin from Blenheim brought his guitar down with him and I became completely fascinated with this instrument. I was taught to play In the Jungle Tonight, and within a few days I had learnt Give a Little Bit by Super Tramp, and One Last Breath by Creed.
If no-one was there to teach me how to play the song, I would listen for the notes and wouldn’t let it go till I had either nailed it or at least made the guitar sound similar to what I was hearing.
Music was never a hobby or an interest for me. It was immediately something that I wanted cemented into my daily life right from the moment I held that guitar.
Q: When and why did you first start performing in front of others/audiences?
A: My first live performance was for my Mum and Dad’s joined 90th birthday party (age 11) at the Tekapo Military Camp. There were roughly 400 people in attendance. We were the opening act (my duet partner and I at the time), followed by the NZ Army Band, and then The Jack Nicholson Trio featuring Jimmy Taylor (Hello Sailor).
Q: What are some fond memories you have of performing or writing music?
A: My fondest memory would be the first time I heard one of my songs sung back to me. I was playing in a bar in Methven, when a chant erupted for my song DIESEL.
It was a very weird and transitional moment when I was able to step back from the mic and let the crowd sing my own song for me. That was the first time I realised that people were actually listening to something I had written.
Music has now taken me to nearly every corner of NZ and to a few international destinations, Fiji, Sydney, Melbourne, Whitsunday Islands, and more. International shows are also up there with some of my fondest memories of performing.
Q: How important has music been in your life?
A: Music is my life; full stop! Music has carried me through countless tough moments and life events. We all have to go through tough times as humans; I feel lucky that I have music to help me through those moments. I take my hat off to people who get through it without a guitar in hand.
Q: How have you found being a part of the South Canterbury music scene?
A: I feel as though my music stint in the South Canterbury music scene was cut short. I first moved to Timaru roughly a year before Covid-19. Those first 12 months were a blast, but the music scene/live performance opportunities were put on hold very quickly.
As things began to slowly open up, I started seeking more gigs to ensure I could continue performing for a living. This meant travelling to every corner of NZ that I possibly could, to play in every bar that I could squeeze myself and my guitar into.
Q: Do you feel there is support in South Canterbury for local musicians?
A: I have a small group of super fans or as I like to call them, my ‘‘Volunteer Fan Brigade’’ in South Canterbury. They know who they are and I will forever be in debt to the support they have given me over the years.
Q: How important is it that people support local music and that local musicians are given a platform to perform?
A: There’s a saying that goes either use it, or lose it. The same applies to local music. If there’s no support, or place for local music musicians to play; they then have no choice but to go elsewhere to find it.
Q: What are you working on now and is there anything else you’d like to add about music or your career?
Right now we have three singles set for release throughout the remainder of the year with the first single Step Aside going live on May 28.
If there are any aspiring musicians reading this, all I want to say is, please don’t give up or let anyone tell you a music career is not a good idea, it definitely is!
