We asked Dave Dobbyn, who is one of the many local music stars hitting the beach pub circuit in the coming weeks, to discuss the joys of touring and what it's like to have a job keeping the holidaying hordes entertained.
Your preferred transport for summer touring? Toyota Highlander or Toyota 12-seater van. Failing that, a convoy of mobile homes that double as dressing rooms - wagon-train styles. Yeehaw!
Who does the driving and who's not allowed to drive? Usually our tour managers drive. Absolutely no speeding - safety first. Besides, I trustthem to stick to schedule and generally they have a good fix on road and cuisine research - also a keen eye for the impending idiocy of other drivers. Not allowed to drive - anyone under the influence of anything else but driving. I like to chat in the back and take in the scenery.
What's on the car stereo? Ah yes, generally, the stereo is way more important than the engine. MP3s are banned as they are a deeply offensive, aural abomination. So CD quality at the least. It's healthier to augment or bypass the onboard stereo, opting instead for strategically placed, hi-fi powered speakers - subwoofers essential. Commercial radio is banned - for commercial and musical reasons. Musically, our selections are very eclectic: any black gospel music, any Theme Time Radio Hour with Bob Dylan, any Adrian Sherwood, Little Axe, any Louis Armstrong, Neil Young, any Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, any Hendrix, any Doors, any Motown, any Beck, any Eno, David Byrne. Any Jamaican, Cuban or African. Any pre-1980 funk. Any Grand Master Flash. Any good New Zealand music, such as Tiny Ruins, Phoenix Foundation, The Eastern, TrinityRoots, Little Bushman... Oh, and anything with autotune is banned, so no R&B post-1990.
If you had a talking GPS in the vehicle what famous voice would you want? Jesus Christ - though if he's busy, Louis Armstrong or James Earl Jones would do fine.
Your favourite summer venue? Waihi Beach Hotel - my beautiful wife and I had a time there while we were a'courtin'. So I've had a soft spot for it ever since.
Favourite spot on your tour itinerary which isn't a venue? Highway 27.
Any New Year's Eve gig traditions? Synchronise watches. Stay off plonk till New Year. Pray.
What's the difference between a summer pub crowd and a winter city pub audience? Temperature, thirst and sartorial elegance.
What's this year's likely encore song. Is it the same as last year's? Bliss by Th' Dudes - in honour of Ian Morris and New Zealand coffee.
Can you really call this work? I have to, for tax purposes.
Dates: Coroglen Tavern, Dec 29 (with Midnight Youth and Dukes); Brewers Field, Mt Maunganui, Dec 30; Waihi Beach Hotel, New Year's Eve; Butlers Reef, New Plymouth, Jan 2; Station Village, Lower Hutt, Jan 3; Riwaka Hotel, Jan 4; Mangawhai Tavern, Jan 6; Opononi Hotel, Jan 7
