"There is this amazing tradition of people getting along to these beaches, getting inspired and making music. You know, Dave Dobbyn, Neil Finn, Don McGlashan. And I've definitely had that experience too - getting out to those wild wind-blown beaches and feeling at one with the chaotic natural energy of New Zealand," says Donnelly.
"It's a really super inspiring place to go. You want to get your camera out and look at all the patterns and all the ripples. And you want to go home and write a song."
Donnelly is one of the country's most respected songwriters, with a string of critically acclaimed albums to his name, including Southern Lights, Songs From A Dictaphone, Dayglo Spectres and 2012's Elastic Wasteland, which won the 2013 Taite Prize.
It's a mix of songs from all of these SJD albums, with the backing of a full band that punters will hear at Matua Wines on February 8. But also expect to hear a few new ones from the upcoming album Donnelly is working on.
"I had the opportunity to play a few songs at the Big Day Out, which went down really well. People seemed to get them straight away," he says.
"You know, complicated, difficult music is valid too. And sometimes the best music is music that takes you a little while to adjust to because it takes your brain somewhere new. But I've just got such a good feeling about this new material. There's a warmth to it that I think people will like, in with all the misery too," he chuckles.
Music at Matua will be held at Matua Wines, 307 Waikoukou Valley Rd, Waimauku, on February 8. For more information about the Muriwai Beach clean-up, visit sustainablecoastlines.org
