Dave Dobbyn says there may be an element of hype surrounding New Zealand music.
It was a morning of coffee, cake and politics at Neil Finn's studio this morning, where an assortment of local celebs came together for New Zealand's biggest coffee break.
Part of the Fair Trade Fortnight, the Oxfam event saw close to 300 venues throughout the country host morning
coffee parties, serving Fair Trade coffee.
Goldenhorse singer Kirsten Morrell fronted the event at Finn's Auckland studio, where she was joined by fellow musicians Dave Dobbyn, Don McGlashan, Elemeno P frontman Dave Gibson and others.
Morrell and McGlashan were happy to discuss the virtues of Fair Trade coffee but declined to comment on the debate surrounding Finn and his recent remarks about the Prime Minister.
However, Dobbyn offered his thoughts on the matter, saying: "[Finn] is entitled to his opinion but some of what he says is coded.
"He's always been inflammatory, he loves being inflammatory. He makes a living out of being inflammatory," laughed the Loyal singer.
Finn recently criticised the Prime Minister for taking undue credit for the success of the local music industry.
He said there was an unrealistic, hype-generated expectation of what New Zealand bands could achieve overseas, due in part to New Zealand on Air "dishing out large sums of money".
Although Dobbyn agreed there may be an element of hype surrounding New Zealand music, he thought it was healthy.
"It's a bit like keen supporters raving about the Blues or the Crusaders. That's all that's going on.
"Any encouragement has got to be healthy. They're supporting local music and it's a fresh feeling for a lot of us."
Dobbyn said he respected Finn for voicing his opinion and thought some people had misinterpreted Finn's intentions.
"I don't think he was criticising anything in particular, he was just reminding us that the goal posts are really high when it comes to making competitive music internationally."
While Finn opened his studios to the cause, he was unable to attend the event as he is currently touring with the newly reformed Crowded House band.
A host of television and fashion personalities turned out for the event, including Oliver Driver, Mike McRoberts, Kate Sylvester, Clarke Gayford and more.
