Tag Archives: new zealand artist

Saxophonist’s ‘Ambitious Project’ Comes to New Zealand

Simon Byrne

“Inspiration comes from my belief that anything can be creative, and is.” – Simon Byrne.

Saxophonist Simon Byrne recently made the leap from Britain to start a new life in Wellington.

Completing a Law degree in a previous life, Byrne’s calling has always been music. Using hospitality roles as a way to explore and perform his way around New Zealand, he is now committed to making music his main work source.

“…the saxophone has been the real constant in my life… so I wouldn’t mind people having a listen and creating some enjoyment!”

Byrne isn’t just a solo artist though – he enjoys collaborating with fellow musicians too (feel free to reach out!).

Reflecting on the differences of music scene between here and Britain, Byrne noted that New Zealand has more of an awareness of its roots with an encouraging atmosphere, feeling as though “we’re all in it together”. Whereas Britain’s vast scale of musicians can be perceived as intimidating, with it feeling easy to get lost in the crowd.

Described as a versatile and high-energy saxophonist, Byrne lending his music to weddings, gigs, live performances and recording sessions.

While he plays every genre, even accepting song requests at events, his versatility as a saxophonist is reflected in his favourite genre; jazz.

“Whilst I will pretty much play anything at the drop of a busker’s hat, it has to be Jazz. But don’t be scared! It suits so many moods and audiences in different ways. It comes into soul, funk, hooks in pop, electronica – all sorts.”

It’s the spontaneous performances, particularly those accompanying a DJ, that he find most rewarding.

Getting his teeth stuck into New Zealand’s music scene, Byrne has big ideas for his next step.

Proclaimed as an ‘ambitious project’, Byrne is developing a show that will boast visuals, electronic music and improvisational sections. An intense and fun performance set to be delivered at festivals and other arts spaces.

“My latest original work will be premiered in 2026. It’s not a play, poetry, gig or recording. Yet, watch this space!”

Keep in the loop with Simon Byrne’s work on his website, Instagram and YouTube.

This was a paid article.

Finding Freedom: From Builder to Musician Overnight

Musician Geoff Kunac.

When life took a turn in 2019, 40-year-old Kiwi builder and designer Geoff Kunac picked up a guitar. 

Six months later, he had nearly enough songs for a whole album.

“I think for lack of anything better to do more than anything else,” Geoff says. “It became my cathartic diary or voice, as I was silently watching my life simultaneously fall apart around me.”

Geoff of Martinborough didn’t come from a background of music. Teenage memories of messing around on the family’s piano, dropping out of guitar lessons at school, and listening to his older sister’s CDs and mixed tapes were the extent of his music experience.

But a messy break up was the bump in the road that urged him to dust off his mum’s old $200 guitar as a way to process the darker days.

“Chords or melodies would just flow out onto the guitar whenever they felt like it… I didn’t have much control over it. I quickly learned to push record on my phone to capture the moment or I’d wake up the next day with no idea what the tune was or how I’d played it.”

There was no intention to take the recordings any further, it was merely a way to “stay sane”. But he soon decided to try and make something of his creations by taking an online singing course, picking up a free piano, tambourine, and learning to use some old microphones and a recorder his friend had given him.

The 10-song album Freedom was released and published on Spotify and other streaming providers this year.

“The whole thing was hard. I was going through messy personal stuff. Drifting around, living in an office, cabin, caravan and trying to build a little house to get settled, while at the same time trying to creep myself into this world of ‘music’ that I knew absolutely nothing about – at forty.”

Described as avant-garde, Freedom is a collection of raw, acoustic, indie-rock tunes. Geoff’s emotion and honest storytelling is at the forefront of this album, with the single-mic and ground floor method of recording only complimenting the rustic feeling of his songs.

When asked if music would continue to be just a hobby and outlet, Geoff responded definitively: No – he wasn’t going to stop now.

“I have much bigger plans – I want to take it as far as I can. I have lots of songs waiting to be produced. I’d love to perform on the big stage someday. I like to travel – Glastonbury or the US somewhere would be great fun, I think.”

Keep an eye out on Geoff’s Instagram here for upcoming gigs over the summer where he will be performing his debut album. In the meantime, check out his debut album Freedom below.

(My personal favourite are Something in Your Way and the guitar in Dancing in the Sea. Geoff’s favourites are Gypsea Son and Rainlight.)

https://open.spotify.com/album/0kOc4SZo9sB6cxKXqW8NPG?si=yceio3e6RHaYfxzFNaJnyg&fbclid=IwY2xjawNaVpVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHvwA7kJNtDOCGWUUfgxFeIV2Za9EmcwYOen3Ne6_2LBLx1GFsxMYk6mLxsUL_aem_D0K2sIcD7Zf4pe_8oKNjig&nd=1&dlsi=d2924da2ab5b4097&flow_ctx=62ed462c-29e2-46b0-a2fc-8f1301f28149%3A1760419131

This was a paid promotion.