Songs in the key of love

Journey of emotions for Otumoetai's very own piano man Matt Bodman
WHEN Matt Bodman had to choose between making an album or buying a decent car, it was a no-brainer - music won by a long shot.
And the sacrifice has paid off, as Bodman officially releases his debut album, Burn, on May 15.
The hassle of borrowing cars and cycling to get around has been worth it for Bodman, as the album that was more than three years in the making sees the light of day.
It's been a busy few months for Bodman, 27, who is a music teacher at Otumoetai College by day. He's also conducting the 20-strong orchestra in the Tauranga Musical Theatre production of Miss Saigon, which is now on at Baycourt Theatre.
But the album he describes as a "journey of emotions" is a personal triumph for this piano man.
Without giving too much away, Bodman says the album's songs are about a relationship and its breakdown, and the consequent broken heart.
"These songs all took place over a few years, as first album songs generally do," Bodman says. "[It's about] the 'what happened' and the dealing with it, both positive and negative. When I listen to the album, it's a real 'full-stop' on that four years."
And he hopes that anyone who's been through a breakup will be able to relate to his lyrics. "It's a pretty general topic. One of my mates heard the album and, unfortunately, him and his girlfriend broke up. He said to me, 'man, I get your album now'.
"Mates are your biggest critics, they are going to tell you the truth."
Bodman recorded the album at The Porch Studios in Hamilton last year, and has spent about $10,000  making his dream come true.
 Although the album officially launches in May, Bodman's  sold 350 copies at shows. Some of his songs have already been played on radio station Kiwi FM.
He compares the album to writing a first novel and says it's great to have an "official document".
"Songs can go to waste if you can't capture them."
Asked to describe his sound, Bodman says it is "piano-based power pop".
"I call it 'life pop'. The songs are about every day stories that I think most people can relate to in one way or another.
"A lot of people say I sound like Greg Johnson, but that sounds like I'm taking the easy way out and not being original."
Teaching music at Otumoetai College has been like coming full circle for Bodman, as he was a student there just eight years ago.
He did most of his schooling at Mount Maunganui College, before leaving school to become a plumber. But he soon discovered his true passion was music, and returned to school to finish his study at Otumoetai. 
Now he's gone full circle and has returned to the school, hoping to inspire the next generation of musicians.
Teaching is a passion he doesn't want to give  up, and he hopes to balance the job with his own music career.
The pianist, guitarist and bass guitarist hopes he teaches "life skills in general" as well as music.
"Teaching is great because I like that in a few years time they might think 'I learned something off that guy', and hopefully they are doing something with their music."
Bodman, whose eclectic music taste includes Randy Newman, the Beatles, Beethoven and Joni Mitchell, is also interested in conducting.
He was the pianist in the Manurewa High School production of Grease, and was musical director and conductor at the Otumoetai College production of Jekyll and Hyde.
Now, Miss Saigon is his first "huge" conducting job, which he says is a "really huge step up".
Conducting the 20-strong orchestra, many of whom are members of the Bay of Plenty Symphonia, is a challenge Bodman is enjoying. "For me it's an honour to be there, working and playing with these people.
"The amount of experience in front of me is enormous.
"I'm not good enough to play in orchestra at piano, so be able to conduct and have these people is fantastic."
Bodman sees conducting as "translating the theory of music in moving your arms and body".
"With that comes the emotion, you pick up the mood of the music and use your body and arms to show the emotion."
Although this is Bodman's first album, he's already worked as a session musician and support artist for top names including Luke Thompson, the Verlaines, Jonny Love and Stu Strawbridge. One of his career highlights has been playing at a tribute show to Chris Knox, at which he mingled with artists including Neil Finn.
"That was great, I went to some kind of musical paradise. You go into the green room, and Neil Finn is there.
"That was a real cool boost for me."
Bodman is already working on new material, which he promises won't include anymore "sad love songs". But don't expect too much of a change in style. "It's a lot of character-based stuff, mainly about sad characters, looking at the world through their eyes."
Matt Bodman's album release party will be held at 17th Ave Theatre on May 15. Door sales $10, or $20 with an album.