NEW ZEALAND

Wow. I still can't believe we made it out here sometimes. If you ever get the chance to come to the South Pacific, I really recommend coming to this beautiful country. Australia gets a lot of hype (and for good reason too). But, New Zealand is where it's at.

We ended 2014 wiped out and completely drained. We laugh at each other every time we finish a US tour then go directly overseas for another tour, only to come back and tour the US and so on and so forth.

This year was no different. Sometimes we think  why are we doing this to ourselves. After the crazy year (or five) we've had... We are nuts...

I was a wee bit concerned I wouldn't have the energy to do this tour. I was afraid that every gig my body,mind and spirit would be screaming 'REST' like it was for the last few months.

I jokingly told Katie before we left, 'How crazy would it be if we just get to NZ and magically feel like we just took three months off?'

We laughed at that...
Yeah right...

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If the rest of the tour goes as well as the first half then I think it makes sense to come back to New Zealand next year as well. We can leave our minivan and speakers here and have it ready to go when we come back.

Our plan is to go back to Kenya (doing Journey4YOUth work). After that go down to South Africa and tour there again then fly back to NZ.

I go into the studio mid April to record the next album 'Ubuntu.' I'm really excited for it. We're going to try a new new things and bring in a few other musicians.

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As I write this, we are almost half way through this tour. Everything is great. We actually got a second wind. We feel really good Happy and healthy.

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We flew into Auckland on Thanksgiving and spent two days adjusted to the 18 hour time difference. Did heaps of research on buying a vehicle and test driving until we found our little mini van 'Wimpy.' She's a beaut. 8)

I came up with a slogan 'when in doubt, take the scenic route.' You can't really go wrong with that one.

'Wimpy' came with all the bits and pieces two people need live out of a van. It had a propane grill, silverware,  buckets and dishes, a bed, blankets and pillows (which we replaced). We finally bought a PA and set off.

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New Zealand is very beautiful and refreshing country. We really love the Maori we've met and love seeing how their spirit is alive in the land.

Our intention of coming here, was to travel the land, remember humble beginnings, reflect, rest and dream.

It's tricky because, in order for this to happen we have to find a good balance with work. January to April is normally crazy busy with booking etc. Overall, I think we have done a good job. Not being connected to the interweb 24/7 has  really helped too actually.

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Gig wise. Wow... Things are going really well. We shipped over 500 cd's from the US. We were really hopping we could get rid of them (so we don't have too eat the shipping cost again). So far so good. We've sold over half our inventory and there is a chance we might have to ship more records out here!!

I'm really grateful for the good people who have been coming out to our shows. Whether it's because they read one of the articles or just happen to be there when I played. Thank you too anyone who is reading this for the love and support out here.

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There is one thing I would like to address. We get called a lot of things Gypsies, bohemians, hippies etc. The whole 'hippie' thing sort of gets to me a little bit. (Not because I have something against hippies because I don't).

It's just that word is very vague. It can mean a lot of things to different people.

Ive had people say to me (or Katie) things like.

'Oh God bro, You have to do so much ___________ (acid, mushrooms, drugs) ( or whatever) to be able to do what you're doing.'

The truth is I don't. I don't do any of that stuff. I haven't drank in over 5 years and I feel bad sometimes making people feel awkward or disappointed when we don't go and party afterwards (and it's nothing against them).

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The truth is we are some of the lamest, socially awkward people you may ever meet and we're definitely not Rockstars. If you put us on that platform you will quickly be disappointed with how uncool we really are.

Also, I know people don't like to hear don't do drugs mmkay... But I just want to say this. You don't have to be high to get through life. You don't have to be high to do amazing things or when you're stressed. You don't have to be high to tap into the creative Spirit that lives within. In fact, once you let go of those things, that's when you find real strength.

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Oh... and Katie... she doesn't do drugs either. Hah.

I've always wanted to 'shoot' a music video. But, more often then not, I am the subject of the video... I had an idea to make a video using Katie as the subject. All she had to do was wear her fairy wings and be herself. We walked through the New Zealand Redwood Forest and fun doing it. 8)


We also did an 'acoustic sessions' video of Kia Ora. We filmed the video at the exact spot where I wrote it over 5 years ago. It's in the sacred Hokianga Harbor.

Like I've mentioned time and time again, we cannot give enough thanks and praise to God and all of you. We're deeply humbled by this journey we've found ourselves on. Thank you everybody, past, present and future. We're having the time of our lives.

Warm regards,
Brian & Katie