Stan in the park

Singer Stan Walker is so excited about performing with an orchestra at Nelson’s Opera in the Park this month, he’s hoping to turn the performance into an album. He speaks with Nelson Magazine about the show, his family, mental health and writing songs in Te Reo Māori.

Have you been to Nelson before and what do you have planned for your time here this month?

Yes, I have played live in Nelson and the audiences are the best - so giving and so enthusiastic. The challenge with touring is you never have much down time, but after rehearsing with the orchestra I would love to sneak in at least one beach trip. Also, my wife Lou and I enjoy hiking, so any time in the Abel Tasman would be a gift. My boyhood dream is to skydive and see both islands, but my management team always give me a look when I suggest things like that on show day!

You recently got married, how has marriage and fatherhood changed you?

It is the greatest gift from God. We were blessed with a baby daughter last year. Lou and l took our puku pēpi’s to Mauao, my spiritual home. Whanau has always been my rock and to now be part of, what will be a special unit of four, is both humbling and a huge responsibility.

The latest album you dropped featured songs in te reo, how important was this to you as a Māori man?

Everything! And thank you for asking. We are one huge global family but with that, we all need to know where we have come from - the deep meaning of the word ‘matemateaone’ encapsulates it for me best. The notion that to go forward as a human you must embrace your history and DNA, where you have come from culturally, genetically, tribally, and of course language, is such a large part of that. The two most powerful things in being human are to have a deep sense of your matemateaone, your identity, and to add to that, a positive purpose. The concept of matemateaone is so powerful to me it inspired a song I co-wrote that I will also have the privilege of performing in Nelson with this amazing orchestra.

I have to say, I have always dreamed of performing with an orchestra and imagined how my songs may sound, so to perform a song in te reo, in Nelson, with such a long-standing Māori history, is very magical.

Your book Impossible details your struggle with mental health, what message would you give to rangitahi who may be struggling with their own?

My strongest message is this: You are never alone. Even in your darkest hour you are loved. We can all take a wrong turn, feel we can’t find our way home. The darkness can be overwhelming, but you are always so close to coming back into the light. I wrote my current song and video ‘Human’ specifically to provide solace for those feeling lost. The companion video to ‘Human’ is the most confronting video I have ever directed. The night before it was released on YouTube I was actually scared people might not understand and feel its intention to provide support. The song was inspired by a close musical friend suffering a severe depression that nearly robbed his children of a father. I will perform this song with the orchestra at Opera in the Park.

What have you planned for 2023?

To fully manage work and life balance - to dedicate time to my whanau – to be present with them. On the music front, it’s a huge year. I am working on all new music after releasing the All In album which was a very personal record for me.

It was my first album in eight years, and I took time to co-write every track – it’s very autobiographical. I am playing three songs from this album on the night. After Nelson I have a national New Zealand and Australian tour and some big festival events. I have a couple of film and television roles I am very proud of – one a major global Netflix series, and one a special feature film in te reo. And lastly, I would love to release this concert as a permanent souvenir. I have a very special duet on the night with one of my heroes, singing their biggest song, which is a true kiwi anthem.

When I was a kid one of my most loved albums was mum’s record of Bic Runga with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. I am dreaming big that we will be able to release this amazing Nelson performance for all to hear (no pressure on the audience to clap loud and in time. Just jokes!)