Happy with the blues

Keb Hart

A Cambridge-based musician is hoping the initial success of his first single Raven Blues on all streaming platforms earlier this month gives his Extended Play (EP) album a boost when it is released next week.

And the 63-year-old who quit his job in architecture to pursue a career in music three years ago has found the whole experience of releasing music “mind blowing.”

Keb Hart is a singer/songwriter who describes himself as a musical storyteller from an early age when he took up the guitar as a teenager and then went on to play in numerous pub bands.

Keb Hart describes himself as a musical storyteller. Photo: Supplied.

Come the pandemic, Hart like so many others changed, and he examined his “less than happy” life, left his wife, resigned from his job and moved from Auckland to Cambridge.

He has since recorded 10 music tracks and worked with some of the best music industry professionals.

“The whole experience has been mind-blowing and continues to amaze me that I’ve been able to become what I set out to be nearly 50 years ago.”

His first four-track EP Under the Influence was released last year and his second New Blue comes out next week.

“As you’ve probably guessed, they’re blues tracks and they’re all different styles,” he tells The News.

It differs from the first EP as it was recorded with a band, live in the studio!

“No overdubs or clever electronic vocal adjustments – what you hear is just good, old-fashioned musicianship,” said Hart.

He has also produced a video for You Tube.

More Recent News

In business… Wintec’s fightback

After years of upheaval under Te Pūkenga, Hamilton’s Wintec – the regional polytechnic serving Waikato, Waipa and King Country – is reclaiming independence. Once burdened by $19.4m losses and fading identity, it now promises a…

Waipā sticks with Wednesdays

Friday will not become the new Wednesday at Waipā District Council this side of Christmas. The council held its first two meetings of the triennium on a Friday, and councillors voting at the second to…

Koi fishing challenge

Predator Free Te Awamutu and Pirongia is  encouraging youngsters to catch pest fish for the 2026 Kids’ Koi Carp Challenge. “The idea is to bring awareness and improve the state of our Mangapiko Stream and…

Christmas cheer for seniors

An annual initiative that eases the loneliness of people who will spend Christmas Day without family was launched earlier this month. Now into its third year, the Altrusa International Cambridge’s ‘Be a Santa to a…