Bryce Wastney

10 + 1 Stand out memories from 2011. Pics Below.

1. Seeing my songs on the big screen in Last Paradise movie – what a buzz and a dream come true.

2. Recording my next album with a bunch of enthusiastic and talented musos in a $80,000 recording room at Classic Hits in Nelson. Really cant thank Micah, Hadleigh, and Jamie enough. Mike McCarthy put it all together and its almost ready!

3. Filming Surf The Sky Music video with my friend Aly Cook & TVNZ producer Paul Sparkes, in the mtns overlooking Christchurch (2 weeks before the devistating earthquake) Lord of the Rings coutry!

4. Moving to Melbourne and living in a friends garage, struggling like never before, but surviving and growing my faith to new levels.

5. Fixed the tap in a cafe and got a job!

6. Completed a successful 11 date tour in NZ in September with the super talented Ryan McLerie & John Bridgens. Loved singing to the friendly ppl who came to churches and helped us get kids living in the poorest parts of the planet sponsorship for health care + education thru Compassion organisation.

7. Sharing a Grand Angus burger with a homeless guy at 3 am when I missed the last train from the city and slept the night at Flinders St Macdonalds.

8. Playing my guitar on the train & having 100 drunk footy fans singing along at full volume!

9. Waking up at the end of the #2 train line at 2 am after falling asleep on the train. Sigh..

10. Falling in a shoulder deep clay ditch on my ”cross country short cut” on the way home after a gig at 1 am – in the rain!

But wait theres just 1 more..

11. Recording in rural Victoria, 2 am, armed cops show up. Aparantly there was a guy who stabbed a cop hiding on the property (welcome to Aussie Bryce!)

Well Im so thankfull for friends, family, and all my loyal music supporters who get a kick out my adventures and support indy artists by consuming the music in a legit mannor. Means a lot.

As we approach the end of 2011 I have a real sense of appreciation for the good things in my life, experiences & people Ive met.

What did I learn? Don’t let others opinions get in your way. Make sure you are ‘serving’ ppl always. Believe in yourself . Remember that NOW is whats important (not yesterday) Roll with the punches. Dont sweat the small stuff. Be thankfull for the basic things like water, bed, food. Excercise often. Embrace new technology.

Remember to breathe.

Thanks for reading my blog. Enjoy some pics.

Bryce

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ya know that I could Use Somebody…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nov 4, 2011.

I was invited to be a guest artist recently at the Compassion event in Melbourne called ‘A Night To Believe’, held in a lecture theatre in Victorias fouth largest Secondary School.

We listened to volunteers, and CEO Tim Hannah tell stories that inspire the work of Compassion. Eg, By investing in a simple water pump, they stopped the arsenic poisioning that was causing birth defects and sickness in kids living in the village near by.  Compassion teaches young mothers to use a mosquito net and how it can prevent small childeren from getting deadly Malaria. Tim then spoke of the simple things that make the biggest difference & importance of helping others with the technology we so often take for granted.

Its interesting was that the global poverty stats have been halved since 1980′s & that in itself is ground breaking + a testament of the couragous individuals who have made sacrifices to tend to the less fortunate ppl born in poverty. Sometimes it feels like its an impossible situation doesnt it? But not anymore..

I shared a story from my NZ tour + an acoustic version of a song by Kings of Leon “Use Somebody” which I feel relates to this idea. We all need a helping hand at some point in our lives, and it just seems so unfair that kids are born into poverty, and often forced to work for corrupt buisness owners. Tim talked about families that get trapped in debt and often get charged interest rates that are unpayable. How crap is that!

It really challenged my core beliefs, and to appreciate what I have, and to do my part in educating & inspiring the ipod generation to take notice..

Thanks for reading & you can visit www.compassion.com.au to read more about their life changing work in the developing world.

Compassion is an inspirational organisation that is also called TEAR FUND in NZ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The story that broke my heart.. my thoughts after the Light My Way NZ tour 2011

Im sitting in a cosy cafe sipping a flat white, reminising on the memories & experiences of the tour. Im still feeling tired, but give me a week and Ill be back on form!

Really loving having my own bed and have become a bit of a home body last few days. Id like to share a story from the tour that broke my heart..

Recently I was privileged to complete a NZ tour with my talented backing band & my fav humanitarian organisation – TEAR fund www.tearfund.co.nz , which involved circumnavigating the North Island of New Zealand in a touring van, singing my original songs to friendly audiences. Usually on a tour like this I meet hundreds of people who chat to me about all sorts of random things.. but Id like to share with you about a father and son that shared their story with me and it broke my heart..

2 years ago I was asked to play some acoustic songs and share a story to the Northpoint Baptist Youth group in New Plymouth. I played Grandy’s song – a tune I wrote for my wonderful grand dad when he passed away suddenly.

Afterwards I met David, a typical kiwi farmer bloke who I sensed wanted to chat more deeply. He told me, with tears in his eyes, that recently his 9 yr old son, Sean, had suddenly died from a severe asthma attack and it absolutely shattered their world – they were struggling to cope.

Id read about this in the papers, and the day Sean was buried, the police gave him a guard of honour and stopped the traffic on the main road. My heart melted and I didn’t know what to say..

Fast forward 2 yrs .. David and his eldest son Nathan walked in to our gig at Longburn Adventist College Chapel, and it turns out they moved to Palmerston North to get away and start afresh. Nathan is attending the Longburn Adventist School, where he is making new friends. After re connecting after the gig I could see they had found the joy in life again and enjoyed the show, but still miss having Sean around.

We played 2 more shows in Wellington before returning to Palmerston North for another gig that was clashing with the Rugby world cup game between New Zealand & Tonga. We thought no one would come out and see us play as its one of the biggest nights in NZ sport.

In walked David & Nathan. During the opening ceremony, while half the country was glued to the TV screens, David & Nathan sponsored a little boy, of similar age to Sean from Rwanda called Hyppo. He will get education & health care. Nathan is taking on a part time job to help with the payments.

“We cant do great things, only small things with great love”  Mother Teresa

Heres a pic of Sean FYI. His grave has a pic of Sponge Bob on the back.

Light My Way New Zealand Tour – my initial thoughts & ponderings..

I sit here at the internet cafe across the road from Melbourne’s busiest train station. I open my wallet and smile as I see $30 left (just enough for the shuttle to the airport + a coffee) I have always had the idea that I wanted to live my life to the full, and jumping on a plane with a guitar & small bag of belongings – not knowing what to expect is something that makes me feel alive.

The band are busy rehearsing and I have some interviews to follow up, incl meetings with TEAR fund  as soon as I land.

My guitar will get some new strings while Im at the airport so I always love the tone of Elixir strings when theyre brand new.

Last week I had an experience that has shaped my thinking of late (esp as I begin this tour)

I was playing at an event, when I bumped into Austrailian Idol winner Stan Walker. We began chatting about home and life etc, and I realised I had just missed my tram to the city.. so spending all my CD sales money.. jumped into the closest cab..left the cab running and missed the last train 1:06 am

I then discovered my phone was dead, so I was alone in the city with guitar, no warm clothes and next train 5:30 am.

Warmth and shelter.. first on the priority list and somewhere safe.. Macdonalds 24 hrs (Ronald you beauty)

It was such a good idea as all the homeless ppl in Melbourne were there also. I had some interesting chats, had a homeless guy show me his juggling routine, I played a few tunes and they sang along (one guy lit up something illegal) and was removed by security. I had no cash on me (thanks to the taxi) and a Chinese man (living on the street), divided his cold grand angus burger in 2 & offered it to me.

For an evening I was homeless, and it was a releif to come home at 7:30 am and have a shower! But imagine not having a place to call home? Imagine having to sleep with the noise of the city? every night..no shower..

I felt so average the next day, but thankful for the experience.

Ok time to change those guitar strings.. looking fwd to flying to my NZ  home..

 

 

TO WRITE LOVE ON HER ARMS.. my experiences with depression..

Hi folks,

Im frantically printing passport renewal forms, as my trusty kiwi passorts is due to expire while Im on NZ tour in Sept! But thought Id take some time to write a new blog about something close to my heart..Theres a bit of a story about our next gig I feel the need to share..

This is a very special event  being held on Wed Aug 17. TO WRITE LOVE ON HER ARMS..Its a charity awareness / fundraiser for depression & suicide intervention organisation. It is a result of a community who gathered around a suicidal drug addict who cut the words “fuck up” in her arms..they decided to put faith into action.. visit www.twloha.com

We’ve all hit a rough patch from time to time..we go thru seasons in life where we question “what am I doing? am I on the right track?  etc.. I know personally, last year I hit some very deep valleys, and really struggled to make sense of it all. Combination of several things lead me into a bad space, and I thought I was the happy guy who always had it together.. I was wrong.. it felt like I was in the middle of a deep fog, and didn’t know where to go.. even had to see a doc and was diagnosed with “Severe Depression” .. it was very scary, and I thank God for my true friends & family who stuck by me, and gave me the time I needed to un scramble all these horrible feelings that were swirling around.. I couldn’t even play the guitar for 2 months and thought Id never write a song again..and that was devastating.

For some ppl depression becomes over whelming, they may lack the support I had, or family who understands and we want to help share this message that there is hope, and ppl willing to help. Great websites like  www.twloha.com  or www.beyondblue.org.au are really helpfull.

If you know of someone whos struggling with this.. please listen to them, make them feel valued, and if in Melbourne, bring them to our event..Id be happy to sit with with them and chat..

Thanks for reading..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We will rise again 2011 and “stuff” …

Im so happy to hear that the Earthquake compilation fundraiser CD is selling out fast in NZ! The producers have signed off a second re print, and 2000 albums have sold for $10 each at supermarkets with 100% going to NZ Red Cross Christchurch Earthquake Appeal. www.wewillriseagain.com

Red Cross volunteers have been amazing support to the devistated chch folks who have lost property, loved ones, and are constantly being shaken by 1000′s of nerve shattering aftershocks.
Good on you NZ for getting behind this project! Thats the kiwi spirit I love !

It gets me thinking, how much we sometimes take each other for granted when things are going well.. Why is it that we build up a sense of strength when we surround ourselves with “stuff” ? I mean, stuff is important, but its just “stuff” isnt it?

Ive been living out of a suitcase for a while now, and have found a great joy in living simply. I used to pride myself on having the latest model this and that, and although Im a gadget kid, it never really satisfied me..

My challenge to you today is to think about what actually genuinely satisfies you? Are you controlled by the ”stuff ” you own?

Thanks for reading my little blog.

Bryce

Hello and Welcome

Hello and welcome to the new look official Bryce Wastney Music website!Please take the time to have a tour, and like our facebook music page. I love the simple and clean look, and its super easy to update, so I apologise for the slow myspace site over the last year! Ill be updating this blog, and sending out a new look newsletter shortly. You’ll see our latest news appearing on the Home page, and CD and live gig reviews regularly being updated on the footer column also.

Huge thanks to Kent Walsdorf for his support in making this new site happen, and coming to my aid when my attempts to update turn to goblety gook! Happy traveling ppl!

Here’s the event poster for our next gig. Mirabel foundation assists children who have been orphaned or abandoned due to parental illicit drug use and are now in the care of extended family (kinship care). Please help share this event and be part of change. We love what they do – its inspiring. Micah and I are onstage at 7:45 pm. www.mirabelfoundation.org.au