Dobbyn's anthems inspired by life

Dave Dobbyn is embarking on another nationwide tour to debut his latest album.

Dave Dobbyn has penned and performed countless Kiwi anthems and the timeless artist is still churning out the hits.

Dobbyn is embarking on a nationwide tour which will culminate with an intimate matinee at the municipal theatre in Waipawa on May 14.

The show was sold out in three hours.

Dobbyn said his favourite performances take place in the provinces.

"It grows my audience."

He wants the tour to be as much fun for the audience as it is for him.

"When you're young you spend a lot of time partying up so never remember much, this tour I will enjoy it with the fans."

After seeing the Waipawa Theatre, Dobbyn insisted on an extra daytime performance.

"It's such an elegant place with lovely surroundings."

He said that while the tour will act as a platform to drop his new album, the performances will also pay homage to the classic hits.

"No-one coming along to see Slice of heaven will go home disappointed," he said.

Dobbyn said that during his touring time he as become attached to certain regions.

He ranks the Cabana up there with his favourite venues.

He said when he was recently driving through Esk Valley it was "sort of like entering Narnia".

"It had changed so much since I was last there but it's still so beautiful."

Dobbyn said he loved the beaches, vineyards, Art Deco and history that is associated with Hawke's Bay.

"I consider it a very exotic place."

The Bay is still a favourite spot for Dobbyn despite a "scary encounter" at Marine Parade in the early 80s.

During a concert at the Sound Shell a Mongrel Mob member stabbed a concert-goer in front of the large crowd.

"It was very different back then, it was a dark time, the no fun Muldoon era."

Undeterred, Dobbyn and his band finished the gig.

One of New Zealand's most recognisable voices of the 80s and 90s, Dobbyn's' accolades haven't slowed with age.

At the 2001 New Zealand Music Awards Dobbyn won a Lifetime Achievement Award and the following year became an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for contribution to music.

In 2005 and 2006 he won "Songwriter Of The Year" and "Best Male Solo Artist" respectively, both for his work on the album Available Light.

Now the 59-year-old is ready to unleash another album, his ninth as a solo artist.

Harmony House, is a mixture of "utterly romantic" and some "slightly angry" pop songs.

Dobbyn named the album after an Auckland antique shop where you could buy everything from a tea set to a gun.

The inspiration came from moving out of their house of 22 years and his wife of 33 years who came through illness.

The tracks are a far cry from the "miserable, whiny" love song he wrote as "a spotty young white boy."

"No-one wanted to hear that."

Following the New Zealand tour Dobbyn will travel to Australia and the United Kingdom.

He said all this touring could end up taking its toll.

"I should probably hit the gym, I'll go after this cigarette," he said.

Dave Dobbyn in concert:

* The Cabana Bar, Napier - Saturday, May 14, 8pm-11pm.

* CHB Municipal Theatre, Waipawa - Sunday, May 15, 6.30pm-9.30pm; matinee show sold out.

* Buy tickets at: nztix.co.nz