GUEST MUSICIAN AND AUTHOR LUKE CASEY on the art of disappearing. And reappearing elsewhere

When you’ve been out of the public eye for sometime, it can be a bit like Troy McClure from The Simpsons.

“You may remember me from such bands as...”
And as another drummer, the great Art Blakey, used to say, “If you’re not appearing, you’re disappearing.” 

In my case it was intentional. I stopped being a touring musician for a long time because my daughters (who are now adults) were little. I didn’t want to be an absent parent. My uncle was a very famous drummer from England but he was away a lot when my cousin was young.

I talk a lot about my uncle in my new book, Lightning Strikes Twice.

At the risk of sounding like Troy McClure, you may remember me from such bands as Eye TV (aka Nixons), The Relaxomatic Project and even Ultimate and 7 Dials further back.

(The Illustrious impresario of this very website once called 7 Dials the ‘hardest working band in Auckland’ in the NZ Herald.)

I had a brilliant run in NZ and overseas starting in 1989 when I joined the punk band Bygone Era.

At the time I was still in high school. I carried on until 2003 when Eye TV released their final album Fire Down Below and then I stopped completely to raise my kids. I moonlighted with cover bands to keep my skills up but worked regular jobs so I could stay close to home.

Never regretted it.

In 2023 I moved to South America. It had long been a dream of mine after living in NZ for 30+ years. I didn’t really like NZ after the pandemic, it became very tribal.

When I first moved to NZ in 1985 no one gave a shit where you came from.

I was basically the only white kid in my class at Seddon College (now Western Springs.) All my friends were Tongans, Samoans, kids from Niue or Rarotonga and even the kids of that bloke from Herbs, Dilworth Karaka.

That was Westmere/Grey Lynn in the 80's. Most of my friends lived in State Housing. Point Chevalier hadn’t yet become a retirement village for wealthy Americans. Simpler times I guess.

The late 80’s and 90’s were an awesome time for music in Auckland.

So many clubs, bands and people releasing music.

When I wasn’t playing with 7 Dials or Later Nixons/Eye TV, I was playing in Jazz Clubs like Deschlers or Rakinos in High St or The Corner Bar of DeBretts with musicians like Aaron Nevezie and Matt Penman, both of whom moved to New York and became very successful.

That’s where my most successful musical venture, The Relaxomatic Project, was spawned.

I used to make about $150 per gig. My rent in Anzac Avenue in 1993 was $70 a week.

Seems unbelievable now. Sadly, I don’t think the amount musicians get paid in Auckland has increased since then.

One of the things I love about South America is there is always music going on.

I’m currently living in Lima, Peru. When I walk to the local parks, there will invariably be a concert happening or an event with great music. As you can imagine, the Salsa and Latin bands here are amazing, playing Cumbia, Vallenato, Bachata, Salsa, Reggaeton etc. More interesting though are the bands that perform the Afro-Peruvian music called ‘Chicha’ from Las Selvas (the Jungles) of Peru. The rhythms are fascinating!

Peruvians, Colombians, Venezuelans, Paraguayans, all the Latin cultures I’ve had the pleasure of knowing, absolutely love music, of all genres.

When I tell people here I am a school teacher, they nod politely. When I tell them I am a drummer, they are incredibly enthusiastic and ask me about the music I play.

It has totally rejuvenated my love for writing and performing music.

Since I’ve been in Lima, I’ve written a book and completed two singles for release this year, with another two in production.

The market size in Latin America is insane.

It is the fastest growing and now biggest market on Spotify and opportunities for touring are incredible.

Everywhere is a 3-4 hour plane ride.

Colombia has 47 million people, Argentina, 45 million. Peru, 33 Million. Ecuador, 18 Million

And the kicker? Brazil 211 million And that’s not even including Venezuela , Uruguay , Paraguay , Chile is another 20 Million then you have Bolivia, Guyana , Suriname and other countries I forget!

It’s just insane.

And Miami is only 5 hours from Lima!

I honestly believe it is the best place for a musician to live in the world now. I’ve never been happier.
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Luke’s new book ‘Lightning Strikes Twice’ is out now on Amazon Kindle (free here) and paperback here. 

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Luke Casey's new solo project is HeadCasey, this is the first video.