Sean Donnelly: Music and fine wine at Matua

Sean Donnelly is one of the country's most respected songwriters.

Tap into some of that raw West Coast energy, writes Paula Yeoman.

Aucklanders are spoiled for choice when it comes to live music this summer. The problem is narrowing down which gigs you'll have time to squeeze into your busy schedule. Here's one you should probably add to the list - Music at Matua.

It's the second year Matua Wines has hosted the festival at its vineyard in Waimauku, West Auckland. And once again, there's an impressive line-up, including TrinityRoots, SJD and a solo gig from Laughton Kora.

But there's more to Music at Matua than just lazing in the vines, sipping wine to a live summer soundtrack delivered by top-notch Kiwi acts. While out west, punters are encouraged to spend the morning mucking in at the Muriwai Beach clean-up run by Sustainable Coastlines.

The beach is just one of a number of West Auckland coastal spots that have inspired countless local artists, including SJD's Sean Donnelly - himself a "westie".

"There is this amazing tradition of people getting along to these beaches, getting inspired and making music. You know, Dave Dobbyn, Neil Finn, Don McGlashan. And I've definitely had that experience too - getting out to those wild wind-blown beaches and feeling at one with the chaotic natural energy of New Zealand," says Donnelly.

"It's a really super inspiring place to go. You want to get your camera out and look at all the patterns and all the ripples. And you want to go home and write a song."

Donnelly is one of the country's most respected songwriters, with a string of critically acclaimed albums to his name, including Southern Lights, Songs From A Dictaphone, Dayglo Spectres and 2012's Elastic Wasteland, which won the 2013 Taite Prize.

It's a mix of songs from all of these SJD albums, with the backing of a full band that punters will hear at Matua Wines on February 8. But also expect to hear a few new ones from the upcoming album Donnelly is working on.

"I had the opportunity to play a few songs at the Big Day Out, which went down really well. People seemed to get them straight away," he says.

"You know, complicated, difficult music is valid too. And sometimes the best music is music that takes you a little while to adjust to because it takes your brain somewhere new. But I've just got such a good feeling about this new material. There's a warmth to it that I think people will like, in with all the misery too," he chuckles.

Music at Matua will be held at Matua Wines, 307 Waikoukou Valley Rd, Waimauku, on February 8. For more information about the Muriwai Beach clean-up, visit sustainablecoastlines.org