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The work and life schedule for Rikki Morris mirrors what a lot of people in the New Zealand music scene experience.
You do one thing, then move on to the next project, and it might be a different skill you’re utilising from job to task. And the turnaround can be quick.
This writer published a Times feature story about Rikki Morris last year, describing him as one of the most versatile people in the Kiwi music business, and it’s been that way for four decades.
He’s recognised as a fine singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and performer – an indie pop star in the early days – but he’s fulfilled many interesting roles down the decades – roadie, sound engineer, and producer, as well as being a fan, mentor and guide to many – and he’s known as a really good bloke.
Last year, Rikki released his first album in 28 years, the excellent work About Time, the first body of songs since Everest in 1996, which is a great album produced by maestro Eddie Rayner.
Six-seven months on, nothing’s changed for Rikki as the Times catches up with him in the lead-up to his performance at the free-entry Music in Parks Pakuranga concert this Sunday, March 9, at Lloyd Elsmore Park, 1-4pm. It’s supported by the Howick Local Board.
This week he’s on duty with Operatunity, the well-known touring performance company that entertains to delighted audiences throughout the year around the country.
At Pakuranga, Morris will be playing with his top-class band songs from About Time, with the rest of the set being hits from his early days as a solo star – Nobody Else and Heartbroken, as well as one or two from Everest, and probably a Kiwi classic of Th’ Dudes.
He’s just played some big shows with Th’ Dudes in recent weeks, at the large multi-artist music festivals around the country with huge audiences.
His social media followers might recall one post when he said the crowd’s reaction to when Th’ Dudes played Kiwi music anthem Bliss as being louder and stronger than ever, at Electric Avenue in Christchurch.
“It was insane, nuts,” says Morris, laughing.
“We were all in a little bit of shock. We couldn’t hear what the other band members were playing, that’s how loud the crowd was.”
That euphoric, boisterous atmosphere contrasts to the vibe at his concerts for his About Time tour in the second half of last year, but he says they were just as enjoyable.
“It seems like such a long time ago now. They were very good, intimate shows with me, guitarist Chet O’Connell and Oni Kidman, my daughter, as support, and audiences averaging around 60 in great venues.
“It was neat to get out and play those songs live.”
The band for Morris’ Music in Parks Pakuranga performance on Sunday is a line-up of some of the coolest musicians in New Zealand – the master O’Connell on guitar, Chip Matthews on bass, Karl Benton on keys, and Wayne Bell on drums, who produced song recordings on About Time.
Oni Kidman is also playing a solo set, along with another act Brother Sister, while completing the day’s free Music in Parks entertainment at Lloyd Elsmore Park are crowd favourites AutoMatic 80s.
- The other Auckland Council free-entry Music in Parks concert this weekend is on the North Shore on Saturday, March 8, 1-4pm at Albany Lakes Civic Park, Civic Crescent, Albany, with an indie-rock-reggae line-up of up-and-coming acts Shallow Dive, Back to the Hillside, and SOJØURN.
- For the earlier Times feature story about Rikki Morris, read: https://www.times.co.nz/art-entertainment/rikki-morris-about-time-to-be-in-spotlight-again/
