03 August 2020 - 0 Comments

The heritage Maori bluesmen was recently at a crossroads in his life. He was living the dream. Grant was touring and recording with long time collaborator Michael Barker (John Butler Trio, Split Enz) in the internationally recognised alt blues act Swamp Thing. Swamp Thing were headlining major festivals, playing with amazing American blues artists and were at the pinnacle of their career. From the outside this would be the end goal for any aspiring musician. 

However, Grant had a burning fire inside him that was driving him deeper into self reflection and to question the integrity of his art. Grant did the unthinkable and left Swamp Thing in pursuit of a solo career. A move that forced him to delve deeper into telling his personal tales and expressing emotions that were necessary to restore balance to his wairua. 

"It was the biggest decision of my career. Mike and I had worked so hard to build Swamp Thing up but deep down it was something I had to do and it was a feeling I knew would never let me go. You just can't argue with the calling of music". - Grant Haua 

Since leaving Swamp Thing, Grants' career has been a whirlwind of activity. The massive risk and self belief has paid off in ways Grant never thought possible. Once Grant went solo he woodshedded away with producer and engineer Tim Julian from Colour Field Studios for several months, painstaking crafting an emotive rollercoaster of a record. A record that had been brewing in Grants' soul for ten years. 

Grant's full length solo album Awa Blues will be available early 2021 in store and on all leading digital platforms.

Through underground channels early demos of the record reached the ears of heritage blues label Dixiefrog; one of the worlds' most prestigious and longstanding blues labels and home to greats like Bill Wyman (The Rolling Stones), Eric Bibb and Popa Chubby.

Andre Brodzki, label co-owner, immediately contacted Grant's manager and expressed his interest in signing Grant to the long established label. The deal that was put on the table was unprecedented for a New Zealand blues artist and the plan to take Grant from local kiwi blues icon to international blues statesmen was thorough and ready to execute. These guys were serious, passionate and dedicated. 

A few weeks later, Dixiefrog had negotiated deals with Music Box Publishing and Music For Ever Productions, firmly cementing the final stages required for Grant's solo explosion onto the world blues stage. 

First Single: This is the Place - Tenei Te Ao

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