Opshop frontman Jason Kerrison
Former Rukuhia Primary and Cambridge High School student Lachie Holt is helping give Waikato kids the taste of a Kiwi music dream through Amplify Aotearoa.
Lachie Holt and renowned artist Dick Frizell, the album art designer. Photo: John Brooker
Lachie Holt and renowned artist Dick Frizell, the album art designer. Photo: John Brooker
This includes Waipā primary schools Te Pahū and Pirongia.
Last year, the Hamilton East school teacher was in charge of a 50th anniversary celebration of Split Enz’s Mental Notes album.
Split Enz, containing one of Te Awamutu’s favourite sons, Tim Finn – and later brother Neil – released their groundbreaking debut album in 1975.
To celebrate the milestone, students from Hamilton East School performed songs from the album alongside Mike Chunn, a founding member of the band.
The live performance was recorded and pressed on vinyl records. Amplify Aotearoa was born following this.
Amplify Aotearoa will hit the Clarence Street Theatre in August, bringing together some of Aotearoa’s most respected musicians with Waikato students in a one-of-a-kind concert and recording project.
This year Holt has got several schools involved with the likes of Cambridge-based Jason Kerrison (Opshop), Don McGlashan (The Mutton Birds) and Harry Harallambi (The Exponents).
The Waipā students will work with Harallambi.
Jono Gemmell, music teacher at Te Pahū and Pirongia, said it’s an exciting opportunity for young students from rural Waikato to perform on a big stage with iconic New Zealand artists.
“For many of these students, it is their first time performing in a large-scale concert, and a chance to experience what it means to be a part of something musical at this level,” Gemmell said.
“The students are extremely excited about the opportunity and are even more focused with the musical purpose of playing songs written by amazing New Zealand musicians and performing with them on stage.
“It has been exciting for the students to start communicating with these artists, sending through update clips of them playing their songs, as they work towards the big night.”
Other schools involved include Peachgrove Intermediate, Hamilton Girls’ High School, Hamilton Christian School, Hillcrest High School, Marian Catholic School and Coromandel Area School.
Together they’re recreating the artists’ tracks on vinyl.
Holt said Amplify Aotearoa came from wanting to show students that creativity is something worth backing and believing in.
EXPONENTS: from left, Harry Harallambi (The Exponents), Madi Kennedy (HGHS), Jordan Luck (The Exponents) and Nicky Mataiti (Hamilton Christian School) during a practice session. Photo: Coen Cramer / Music New Zealand
“So many kids have massive talent in music, art and performance, but the school system doesn’t always create enough space for that side of them to grow,” Holt said.
“A lot of young people never actually get the chance to experience what following those dreams could feel like.”
“This kaupapa is about giving them that taste of the dream — collaborating with real artists, recording music, performing on stage and seeing that these goals aren’t just impossible ideas for ‘other people’. They’re achievable.”
The biggest thing for Holt is inspiring confidence and showing the kids that their stories, creativity and voices matter.
“If even one young person walks away thinking ‘maybe I actually can do this’, then it’s doing what it was built to do.”
Kerrison was more than happy to be involved as soon as he heard of the project.
“Pairing rangatahi with experienced musicians and taking them through the full arc – interpretation, recording, finishing, pressing vinyl – isn’t symbolic. It’s formative,” Kerrison said.
“Pressing a first record is still a radical act. It tells young artists their work deserves care, completion, and permanence.
“I was keen to be involved because I recognise that moment. I know what it unlocks. And I know how easily it can be missed if no one builds the bridge.
“This project does exactly that – and the music that comes from it carries not just talent, but whakapapa, courage and momentum.
“Learning to inhabit a song, to serve it, to understand structure, tone and intent before writing your own is how musicianship is built.
“It’s apprenticeship in the truest sense.”
Opshop frontman Jason Kerrison jams with Bowie Holloway (Hamilton East School, Ziggy Hauraki (Peachgrove Intermediate) and Madi Kennedy (Hamilton Girls’ High School). Photo: Lachie Holt
