Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) School of Contemporary Music and Audio Production Programme Manager, Antonio Mercuri, has just embarked on a whirlwind two months touring the South after being invited to play drums for two well-known Southland musicians.
Two independent album release tours from Southland artists, Brenny & the Bushwhackers, and Lachie Hayes & the Tokanui Chainsaw Massacre, will see both bands undertaking performances around the greater region to promote their respective albums. “I’m very happy to do this. For me, it’s more than playing music,” Mr Mercuri said, describing it as a privilege to play with such high-calibre musicians and songwriters.
Although his work schedule is heavy for the next couple of months, Mr Mercuri is excited about the consecutive tours and viewed it as essential in his role as SIT tutor, saying the number one reason to do it is to remain industry-current tutors, engaged in the sector as active musicians in the local scene. “The experiences are also invaluable to impart to our students. It greatly enhances our ability to mentor, with real-life, relevant stories from recent gigs - just like it was for me when I was a student.”
“I’m very lucky to be a part of this… Brendon Fairbairn of Brenny & the Bushwhackers is one of New Zealand’s most highly regarded pipers; as well as being bagpipe repairman and craftsman.” Over twenty years, Brendon has written a number of songs about local Southland battlers, Mr Mercuri explained, adding son Liam Fairbairn, is also a talented musician, who helped refine the songs for recording. “Their songs are really strong, colloquial, honest and energetic; I’m grateful to be playing with them.”
The album title, Land of the Rolling R, acknowledges the distinctive Southland accent - referred to in Te Ara: The Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, as “the only regional variant of New Zealand English”, Southerners will relate well to the album content. The band will be singing about Foveaux whalers, the Ministry of Works, the six o'clock swill and more instantly recognisable elements of Southland culture.
“When they invited me to join the band, they described their sound as like the Pogues mixed with the Clash, and a little bit of Southland thrown in,” Mr Mercuri said. This connection opened the door for Mr Mercuri and fellow SIT tutor, Charlie Rodgers, to record the album at SIT Sound Studios, with Mr Mercuri and the Messrs Fairbairn as producers. “Brendon’s dream was to record them; and I knew we could help facilitate his dream through our school - I knew Charlie (also long-time Sound Engineer for chart-topping NZ band, L.A.B) had the skillset to make them great,” he added.
The tracks were mixed on SIT’s API console; installed last year, it’s renowned for the highly desirable ‘Nashville sound’, and sought after in the recording world.
“This is the first real example of what we can produce on this console. In my opinion, it’s probably one of the best products SIT Sound Studios have ever produced, showcasing the quality, utilising our facilities and people,” Mr Mercuri said. And the significance of keeping it local was encouraging industry growth in Southland.
“SIT has a lot of relevance, from conception, to being there and getting involved. The production suits the band perfectly. Charlie and I are stoked with the product that’s been created. Overall, it was a super-smooth process, which pays credit to the players involved.”
As soon as his commitments with ‘Brenny’ are completed, Mr Mercuri will be appearing with Lachie Hayes and his band, The Tokanui Chainsaw Massacre.
They’ll be playing at the Bluff Oyster Festival and are at the South Seas Hotel on Stewart Island on 28th of June. The album release show would take place at the grand opening of Gadoochi Brewery and live venue on Friday 20th June, which Mr Mercuri was particularly looking forward to, adding the tour is greatly anticipated in Mr Hayes’ fan base. “Lachie is well loved and supported here.”
“Lachie’s highly regarded as a singer and songwriter throughout New Zealand. And he’s one of our own. It runs in the family; they have a wealth of talent; the whole [Hayes] family just oozes it. They are just completely natural and authentic.”
A lot must happen behind the scenes for independent artists to succeed, such as good management, marketing and producing CDs, vinyls and merchandise, Mr Mercuri explained. “Both of these bands are some of the most professional and easiest outfits I’ve been a part of. It all just happens because everyone pulls their weight; everyone has a good attitude, and the camaraderie - it all just works.” Working with Southland’s biggest and most current musicians was humbling, said Mr Mercuri. “And I’m just the drummer.”