I was wrapped in chocolate

I just returned to Auckland for the first time in nearly six months and am revelling in the springtime, the scent, the light, the hint of melody in the landscape and the sound of the trees. The studio here, Roundhead, is buzzing with music and talent. At a time when so much is amiss in the world, I feel pretty blessed to have good people around and that positive energy to draw on.

Our European shows were incredibly enjoyable with so many memorable moments to savour. Elias Dendias, our dear Greek friend, assumed a new character to open the show every night, in overcoat and hat, the kind of man that hangs around under lampposts with a mysterious case in hand... is it a gun? No, it’s a bouzouki. The two beat intro of Weather With You that followed brought the O2 to its feet and they remained there for the whole show… what a beautiful sight!

We get a chance now to put all that energy, warmth and goodwill into our NZ and Australian tour, determined to bring you folks the very best we have to give. It remains a mystery the way music works but we are devoted to the alchemy of it, it might just save the world one day or at least save one day for a troubled soul.

It’s hard to not be drawn in to the American Election... I do find it baffling that many Latinos would give their vote to Trump when he is talking about roundups of illegals. That means dawn raids, suspicion and intense scrutiny of all Latinos. NZ had a period where the police set about looking for overstayers from the Pacific Islands. They mounted dawn raids into households to search for these overstayers. It caused a huge amount of misery and resentment amongst the whole community and was abandoned and now condemned as a sad chapter in NZ history. I wish someone could pass on the sum of that experience to those who face the same potential in the U.S.

Just on a side note, I don’t mind who plays my song, it’s free to travel wherever it pleases.

Some random thoughts upon my return… a bit woozy from the jet lag.

With respect to all

Neil

We have dropped our new video for Some Greater Plan (for Claire). It is somewhat of a homage to my dad, Richard Finn, and a wartime romance he wrote about in his diary. In a broader sense, it’s referring to the idea that each time we gather for music, we conjure up the spirits of those who went before and revitalise our will to express love and look forward. That’s the magical gift of music. I’m so grateful to you for tuning in and sharing that feeling.

Teenage Summer - Recording at La Fabrique in France. Videography by Myles O’Reilly.

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Liam has been opening our shows in his own inimitable style with humour, melody and mayhem. We always find the audience leaning forward and fully engaged after his flights of fancy. Here’s another taste of that spirit from his Hyperverse collection.

These children at Aberdare Ranges School were responding to 'OH HI' which was inspired by and created for them. I was so glad they liked it! It means a lot to us to have our music be helping to educate and empower young Africans to break out of the poverty cycle. These kids have few opportunities to make their voices heard but they are magnificent and the world needs them.

‘So They Can’ currently supports 51 schools in East Africa providing education for 33,000 children. They’re aiming for 500 schools supporting 400,000. We are all together on a mission to to get 1 million people to donate $1 per month (or one person to donate a $million). Be a part of this.

Find out more and sign up today at https://areyou1inamillion.org

Welcome to NeilFinn.com. Many of you will be aware that I have decided to disengage from social media. However, I will continue to engage with the people who support my music. My relationship with you the audience is precious and I am eternally grateful for the level of passion and support that exists for my work. It inspires me to do better music and to keep it coming.

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We won’t let them win.

Neil