Okurukuru Winery - The Acoustic experience : Oct 26 2008

Absolutely wonderful romantic evening! Fantastic music to go with the
perfect sunset! Food for the soul.

James and Ingrid Cope

Latest Album Review : Sept 15 2008

Bryce Wastney's A perfect day for travel is an acoustic guitar driven album that will have the listener hooked from the first note. A true singer-songwriter, Bryce has recorded an album that sounds honest and true and is something to be proud of. With beautiful songs and personal lyrics, he invites the listener on a musical journey through his life.

The album starts off with the killer "Little star" which has more electricity than all the other songs put together. It is also more upbeat than the rest of the album and as such a perfect way to get things going. The pace slows down a bit after this and the sound gets more acoustic, setting the mood for what's to come. On "Shades of blue" Bryce manages to build the song to a very Coldplay-ish finale that would make even the mighty Chris Martin proud. It's all there, great vocals, great melody and the piano to top it all off.

The crown jewel of the album though is the title track "A perfect day for travel". On this slow masterpiece Bryce gives you a performance that makes you shiver - in a good way. It's the kind of song you find yourself humming to when you wake up in the morning. It's pure ear-candy wrapped in ballad-perfection. You would think that after a song like that the rest would sound like filler, but it doesn't. Bryce keeps on delivering the goods. "She believes" and "Surf the sky" are strong tunes, the latter being a great duet with Aly Cook. The emotional "Light my way" closes what can only be described as an outstanding album.

Bottom line: On "Light my way" Bryce sings he's just a boy with a melody but "A perfect day for travel" proves he is much more.

Henrik Kiviluoto www.amplifier.co.nz

Gig Review: Esquires Café, New Plymouth, 30th Sept 2008

Packing out a café in New Plymouth is no mean feat. Packing out a café on
a Tuesday night is really saying something. Bryce Wastney and Stu Larsen’s
acoustic set, as part of their whirlwind Tearfund Tour, went down as
smoothly as the tall hot chocolate that I slurped while hunching awkwardly
against the food cabinet – crouching room only…it was worth the numb bum
and then some! Combining covers and originals Bryce and Stu had the
audience captivated – the set was tempered with some tasty dueting and
more reflective, yet equally compelling solo pieces. The addition of
moving aerial footage of Taranaki proved to be a real treat for the local
audience, beautifully complementing Bryce’s heartfelt ballads – everything
about the evening felt like a journey…music doing what it should…taking
the audience some place.

Evan Davies

BRYCE WASTNEY IN CONCERT was held at The Playhouse Theatre Nelson on the 7th June 2008 at 8.00pm

Bryce is a home-grown singer / songwriter and a great young kiwi guy who obviously has a string of talent.

His introduction to each song was about his life experiences captivated the audience from the very start of his concert. The rich sound of the acoustic guitar and his passion captivated the audience into silence as they became absorbed in the lyrics
and the emmotions of his playing.

His vocal capacity was emphasised by his equally skilled guitar playing.

His repoirtoire of songs were from his latest CD “A Perfect Day for Travel”

As the concert progressed, Bryce showed his skills at joining music to visual footage of beautiful(epic) New Zealand scenery which worked perfecty with his lyrics.

The night was enhanced by the very talented band members Caroline Harvey (cousin) with vocals and keyboard., Tamsin Leenhouwers (cousin) on Viola, and Simon Terrill on drums, which altogether made a memorable experience enjoyed by all.

Reviewed by Chas McMurray Nelson 8/6/2008

Okurukuru Welcomes Bryce Wastney and Lauren Thomson

On a Friday evening not so long ago Okurukuru played host to a concert by Taranaki muscian Bryce Wastney and Auckland’s Lauren Thomson called ‘Just the Two of Us’. I went along for an evening of entertainment.

The evening coincided with Mother’s Day and Lauren sang and played acoustic guitar to a very moving song she had composed about her mother. Lauren sings like an angel with a voice that reminds me of K D Lang. You could simply listen to Lauren all night but then there is Bryce.

Bryce does sing but angel isn’t how you would describe Bryce – in fact I can’t pigeon hole him at all. Bryce says his inspiration comes from Neil Finn, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, Ben Harper and Paul Ubana Jones to name a few. His style is all his own and his guitar playing is prestigious. I don’t mean to review his latest album but the more I listen to it the more I like it.

‘Just the Two of Us’ offered more than unique Kiwi music, it also offered a unique and riveting picture show of Taranaki’s landscape on a big screen. The footage was shot from Precision Helicopter’s chopper piloted by Matt Newton and used a revolutionary camera system to eliminate the shakes.

Bryce brought a wonderfully interactive and entertaining style to the evening that drew the audience in with delightful anecdotes and insights into his music. Bryce composes all his own music and lyrics as does Lauren and they are often moving and inspiring. I have a huge amount of respect for these two musicians who are working so hard to make a ripple in the big music pond.

Okurukuru was a great venue for the concert with the staff doing a marvellous job of providing drinks, food and setting for a memorable evening.

Bryce plays next at the Brook Ale House with another Kiwi talent Anna Coddington on June 27 from 9pm.

By Kim Ferens (Taranaki Oakura Messenger) (May 2008)

Wai- iti cafe with Lauren Thomson

Not huge crowds at Wai - iti but all of heaven stopped to listen. We were privalidged to be there- Bryce and Lauren rocked! thanks for a wonderful afternoon- my soul is restored! thankyou.

Robyn and Chris Lewis NP (May 2008)

Our Music Thing. By Roberto Drummond Radio Zumbi 104.6fm akld (March 2008)

Good friends and music are fine discoveries in life, if one is fortunate enough to find both than definitely that would be considered a “Perfect day”

After a brief chat it was obvious he is a great artist, who has a true passion and respect for music in general, so no surprise this love is embedded in his songs and melodies, all collected in his debut album “A Perfect Day for Travel”.
His influences range from influential singer/song writers, such as Damien Rice, Elliot Smith and Ryan Adams, without losing his own unique style of playing and singing. All songs were written and arranged by Bryce, proving his prolific work and leaving the promise of more to come.

Hopefully we’ll be listening more of and about Bryce in the years to come. Totally recommended, as the kiwi audience needs to learn to support independent and brave artists, who are strong enough to release their powerful music for our enjoyment

Paul Ubana Jones

"Bryce is an artist of great integrity working the NZ music scene.." (August 2007)

Geoff Stapleton (Ganggajang)

"He can certainly write a song...
Bryce's voice very listenable and the playing and arrangements very cool! " (June 2007)

Robbie James (Ganggajang / Yothuyindi)

I absolutely love the song 'Perfect Day for Travel' Very uplifting. Love the guitar tapestries (waterfalls) and the sparse vocal.
I'm a fan! (June 2007)