Connections Archive

Linden Chuang
Public relations editorial assistant

Singer and songwriter Steve Apirana is coming to Avondale College's Lake Macquarie campus, bringing with him his guitar, humorous anecdotes and his blues-style gospel music.

The New Zealand native will be performing at forum next Wednesday (April 16) and then in concert at the Avondale College Seventh-day Adventist Church the same evening. "It should be fun," said Steve. "Those coming can expect an Eric Clapton, Jimmy Hendrix-type style of music."

It may seem strange for a Christian artist to sing the blues, since the genre has more downbeat and depressing implications, but Steve disagrees. "I don't think it's ironic or strange," he says. "Blues is just a style of music-it has happier connotations."

Steve is used to turning the negative into a positive. Born in Rotorua, New Zealand, he and his friends lived on the street. They found places to sleep in cars and under bridges. They also got into trouble and out of it. Eventually, they discovered Christianity, and their band, Butler, was born soon after.

Since Butler disbanded more than 20 years ago, Steve has pursued a successful solo career, playing, according to his website, in schools across Europe, prisons across New Zealand and churches and festivals all over the world. He is currently recording his fourth album.

On his upcoming appearance at Avondale, Steve, who sports a thick mop of black, curly hair, guarantees you will "go away smiling" and, he adds, "visually [you're] in for a shock."

The concert is a fundraiser for the church's Joash Project. Tickets are $5 (single) and $20 (families), with children under 12 free. Pay at the door.