You know the cafe from the film Babel?

I've been asking this question to everyone in the hope that they might say yes, and be impressed by the fact that i played there. It's called J pop cafe and it's a pretty impressive place...



It was the first show of another great mission of a tour. I played solo as the others took alternative routes. When I began packing for the sojourn my old doubts resurfaced...

Why am I leaving New Zealand and potentially (probably) losing a lot of money to play music on the other side of the world to people who may not be interested?
Aren't there enough indie/pop/folk bands around?
Am I not trying to push another product that people do not need?
Am I just contributing to the capitalist machine?

These questions are yet to be resolved fully, though i console myself with the fact that we make no profit; spread peace & love; consider our decisions and their impact on others and the earth; play songs of hope, triumph and rebellion; we must survive somehow and pop music with a political punch is surely better than the other pap...
um...to be continued...



Kohei (friend and promoter depicted above) sorted me out nicely while I was in town. The show was mad... I played first to a very attentive audience. The timing of their clapping during 'data entry daydream' was impeccable and unrelenting...

I was followed by Kohei's cousin GEN and then a traditional Japanese dance outfit called Bugaku.


This is me and Gen playing a cover of 'Not given lightly' by Chris Knox. It was pretty special...

A great evening...

(Thanks to Sam Wicks from Real Groove for the pictures)

Lake.