A few weeks back I mourned the loss, a year back, of Plug & Play nights, the monthly showcases for up-and-coming local musicians playing original music.
Nothing since has replaced them and many think that the original music scene in Tauranga is currently a basket case, surviving only on life support.

So I talked to Derrin Richards, multi-instrumentalist and forthright supporter of original music – and originator of the Plug & Play nights – to get his views on those gatherings and how original music is faring here these days. Never one to mince words, Derrin offers both brickbats and bouquets.

WW: What was the original purpose of Plug & Play nights?
DR: The aim was simply to provide a regular opportunity for artists to showcase their music and in doing so publicise their other gigs or recordings and build their fan-bases one person at a time – all of this then feeding into a growing live ‘scene'.

WW: Why did you feel such a showcase was necessary?
DR: Having previously run four jam nights in various venues, I had become painfully aware of how poorly those kind of open mic nights catered to artists wanting to further original music. I mean, any performance opportunity is good, and a necessary part of honing your delivery and craft, but there was no ‘next step'. Where to from there? I was continually seeing immense talents like Kevin Craig, or the incomparable Richard ‘Ziggy' Marshall, playing seriously outstanding stuff to just muso friends and the venues' regulars.

WW: How did things work out?
DR: The reality was that the P&P performance slots soon became a ‘gig in themselves', with most artists not pushing themselves a hell of a lot and thus not having anything else to publicise. My feeling was, and is, that if your only live performances are three-monthly showcase slots then it's all a bit sad for words, but that was the reality. So, whereas I had envisioned a step up, it became a crutch for most – and these same people are largely still sitting around waiting for someone to do more hard work on their behalf.

WW: The venue finally decided it wasn't worth it for them financially…
DR: Profitability for the venue was always paramount – trying to instil in performers a truer appreciation of the value of a dollar – and never an issue in the 14 months I ran it, though that entailed a hell of a lot of work month-to-month.

WW: What other priorities did you have?
DR: Also paramount was building a non-muso crowd following, to get away from the mutual wankfest danger that such nights can fall prey to. We had some great crowds at times – and every new face was worth at least two muso faces to me. And marketability – getting artists to promote themselves in print via your column and other places.

WW: Which was difficult?
DR: Jesus, we both know what a bridge too far that could be…

WW: Are you disappointed that the nights no longer exist?
DR: As some have said, it had its time, served its purpose, and that's it. I agree. Personally I'm totally over going to bars offering them audience-building, money-making opportunities, and equally sick of labouring unpaid offering a hand in the right direction for musicians' benefit. You'd think one or the other camp might occasionally be able to pull finger themselves.

WW: What are your thoughts on the current live scene?
DR: Once again, I contend that Tauranga has exactly the music scene it deserves.

WW: Any local songwriters you particularly rate at the moment?
DR: Matt Bodman, who is launching an album here during NZ Music Month is phenomenal. He's toured with Luke Thompson and is headed for even bigger things, I feel. Young rockers Dakota have impressed me. And I caught last week's four-band bill featuring Matt Yearbook's Barebones & Cabaret, who have some real talent and attitude. The Mellow Drops and Grant Haua, whom I manage, are doing good stuff.

WW: Can you see things improving in the future?
DR: Not immediately, barring an influx of a new demographic, or existing punters suddenly getting sick of the same tired old cover band drivel and making it financially imperative that a venue or venues feature original music.