SIX60 has a new single out today – 'Before You Leave'.
The beloved New Zealand band also announced the dates and support acts for their SIX60 SATURDAYS tour, which kicks off in Wellington this October.
Six60 Photo: supplied
Lead singer Matiu Walters chats to Jesse Mulligan about the tour and the band's upcoming album Castle Street.
'Before You Leave' is inspired by Matiu's baby daughter.
"That's really changed everything for me, obviously… it really got me thinking about who I am, why I make music and what I can teach my daughter.
"In thinking about that, I realised how little I actually knew and I was inspired to write a song [asking] what was some inspirational wisdom that could be passed on."
The song features on SIX60's fourth studio album Castle Street, which is due out 7 October.
There's a lot of joy on Castle Street, Matiu says, partly due to the band members getting stuck together in Los Angeles for six months – where they rediscovered the connection they formed as Dunedin flatmates back in 2008.
"We had this forced time together which really took us back to how it felt when we were in 660 Castle Street. That kind of energy and innocence really has shone through on this new album… it's the kind of music that only a band can make and you need that kind of relationship to get music like this. We're really proud of the album and of the song."
The Covid-related postponement of SIX60's 2022 tour – which was originally set to begin in March – gave the band some extra time "to dig a little deeper", he says.
Their line-up of support acts now features both "up and comers" and "heavy-hitters", including Australian acts Lime Cordiale (Christchurch and Auckland) and Tones and I (in Wellington).
It means a lot to Matiu that legendary Kiwi band Supergroove are getting back together to play their Wellington and Auckland shows.
"As a Māori boy growing up in central Auckland, [Supergroove frontman] Che Fu was such a huge influence on me. I don't think we'd be a band or I'd be a musician without someone like him in a band like Supergroove. So it's really special to share a stage with people like them."
SIX60 is a "challenge-driven" band that likes to set big goals, he says.
"We're always looking to walk through more doors and blow the ceiling off things."
SIX60 on RNZ:
-
From Aotearoa to Australia: Six60 draws on Aboriginal and Māori cultures
-
Matiu Walters on Eden Park gig: 'It means the world'
- The Mixtape: Six60
Tour Dates:
Saturday 29 October 2022
Sky Stadium, WELLINGTON
With Special Guests: Tones and I, Supergroove, Coterie and Niko Walters
Saturday 5 November 2022
McLean Park, NAPIER
With Special Guests: Drax Project, Sons Of Zion, Coterie and Paige
Saturday 12 November 2022
Rotorua International Stadium, ROTORUA
With Special Guests: Kora, Rob Ruha with Ka Hao, Coterie and Kaylee Bell
Saturday 19 November 2022
Eden Park, AUCKLAND
With Special Guests: Lime Cordiale, Supergroove, Ladi6 and Coterie
Saturday 10 December 2022
Orangetheory Stadium, CHRISTCHURCH
With Special Guests: Lime Cordiale, Lee Mvtthews, Coterie and RIIKI REID
Saturday 4 March 2023
Forsyth Barr Stadium, DUNEDIN
With Special Guests: Kora, Mitch James, Coterie and Hina
