BIO: BRYCE WASTNEY

Bryce is a touring musician who performs acoustic / folk / pop rock songs that draw on every emotion of the human soul. His live show is out standing with a stunning background visual show featuring epic aerial footage filmed from helicopters over beautiful New Zealand scenic locations.

Bryce is a gifted storyteller / songwriter who instantly connects with any audience with real life experiences, insights and humour that will refresh your soul and take you on a journey.

Some of his achievements include sharing the stage with Paul Ubana Jones (NZ’ s top blues legend), Anna Coddington (Bic Runga, Anika Moa), Stu Larsen (Australia), Dale Willis (Australian finger style guitarist of the yr 2003), Karen Hunter, Lauren Thomson, and Bryan Platt to name a few.

Bryce has performed at festivals inc l Parihaka, Parachute, Fest of the lights, Bowl of Brooklands main stage to a crowd in excess of 10,000, luxury cruise liners to small intimate cafes, had songs on ‘ Best of ’ singer songwriter compilations and fundraiser albums, and invited to be a guest presenter at the Joe Satriani Gat- taranaki expo in July)

Bryce performs mostly solo and brings in talented players for certain shows. Stunning venues, wineries, cafes, churches, and clubs house his live shows mostly in New Zealand and increasingly in Australia. His sound is clear as he is proudly endorsed by a major music store chain ‘ Music works NZ ‘ and is known for using top quality guitars and PA equipment available, giving his live show the edge.

Bryce; the journey begins.

Beginning learning classical piano since the age of 5, Bryce’s first performance was at the Nelson school of music where at the age of 8 he performed Beethoven’s moonlight Sonata.
He recalls his piano teacher saying ‘ Never stop during a live performance ‘ unfortunately a gentleman in the front row had a heart attack during his song, and Bryce being naturally determined and focused finished the piece while paramedics took the moaning man to the hospital. He received a standing ovation.
After years of classical exams, Bryce pursued out door sports and travelled over seas volunteering as a kids councillor summer camps.

After high school, Bryce found himself a Boat building apprenticeship with a schoolmate and became fully qualified in 1994 and worked on a wide range of boats from Jet boats, sea kayaks, NZ army assault boats to 60 foot luxury sailing yachts. A passionate wind surfer, Bryce made his own fins, which lead to surf boards, wake boards, and carbon fibre bike parts to name a few.

After a tragic season of poor health, Bryce was diagnosed with toxic poisoning due to over exposure to paints/fibre glass in the boat building industry and was sadly forced to change careers.

With a passion for people he won a teaching scholarship and studied in Australia at Avondale University, completing a visual arts/Graphic design/ bachelor of Teaching degree in 2003 and began teaching a high school boat building class in Auckland, NZ.

Astonishingly Bryce first picked up a guitar only 6 yrs ago, and went full time 2 yrs ago. Bryce is now based in the Taranaki region, where he teaches guitar and performs/ tours regularly at all the favourite wineries and venues locally and beyond.

He has recorded a successful acoustic EP in 2005 followed by a debut album called ‘A Perfect Day for Travel” in 2007, which was funded independently and tracked in Australia with some of Sydney’s finest musicians.
The debut album “A perfect Day for Travel “ was produced by International/multi award winning guitarist Dale Willis www.dalewillis.com and Kerry Smith www.scopemedia.co.nz

Bryce currently resides in New Plymouth (Taranaki) New Zealand and on a typical week you’ll find him teaching guitar, hosting a successful monthly acoustic show case called ‘Live and local’, enthusiastically teaching in store guitar workshops and playing solo or with a band/guests around NZ/Australia.

Interestingly name Bryce means ‘ Speedy- with haste ‘ and his career is living up to his name. He is quickly gaining a solid following and his future in the music industry is looking very promising. Humble beginnings, hardship, travel, life experience and faith paves the way for great songs and engaging stories.

Bryce is proudly an independent artist and is taking his music to the world.