Why all lovers of modern Kiwi music owe a debt to Paul Huggins
Graeme Tuckett
You might not think you know Paul Huggins. But if you have seen a great New Zealand band playing any time in the past few decades, there is a very good chance that Paul has already made your life just a little bit better.
Paul’s Rough Peel label and music stores have been a part of the journey of so many New Zealand artists, it’s almost impossible to say who would have careers today without his support. But if you have heard Trinity Roots, Marlon Williams, Aldous Harding, Reb Fountain, Delaney Davidson or The Eastern, then you have been affected by Paul’s mahi.
I used to wonder what was in the water at Lyttelton, that so many of my favourite musicians should have recorded some of their best tracks there. But I know now it was Paul and the people like him that made Lyttelton and Christchurch such a wellspring of brilliance. As a cornerman, promoter and label owner, Paul got in behind the local scene early and often – and he helped to make that scene a national and international phenomenon.
I messaged long-time friend of Paul’s and musical powerhouse Adam McGrath, when I realised I needed to write about Paul for this column.
McGrath put it like this: ‘‘He has always been such a stand-up guy. I think that although people like that are rare, I feel sorry that Paul is one of those guys. Because he works in music. And musicians are the worst . . . and yet here Paul is, helping us all out, believing in us, making us feel worthwhile, and willing to lose money on our little whims and vanities.
‘‘People like him make me want to give up singing, start a record store and a record label and help people like me. Except, I would never do that because that’s an insane idea, and yet Paul did all of that, because music at its best taps into a true line of spirit and Paul, as a friend and as a fan, is awash in it – and has chosen to honour that with his works and strengths.’’
I watched Reb Fountain last Saturday, prowling across the stage like Patti Smith and Cat Power one minute, Nick Cave living his best life the next.
Reb was a revelation. I could have watched that show on any stage in the world – and Reb would have deserved to be there.
Maybe it was an accident of the tides that Reb lives here at all. If it wasn’t for a pandemic, she might have been off conquering the world again years ago. So when Reb, voice breaking, described her love for Paul Huggins, we listened.
Without those early gigs with The Eastern, Reb might not be here today.
But Paul probably isn’t going to be with us for much longer. The only good news is that there is a drug called Avastin that may give Paul more time with his partner and family. Pharmac do not fund it.
If you’ve loved a local gig in the past few years, or felt those shivers in your spine when Marlon, Reb or Aldous sang, then Paul Huggins has made your life a little richer. And now we can do something for him. There is a Givealittle page set up for Paul.
And on September 4, Wellington’s San Fran will be hosting a show like no other.
Trinity Roots, The Eastern, The Nudge and so many more will be there. All proceeds go to Paul and his family.
Tickets are still available. See you there.