Ma9Na

Living in Tasmania, a small island on the southern tip of Australia, which I fondly call "the arts end of the world," is no deterrent. With technology and social platforms, the opportunities for sharing my creations are endless. From humble beginnings in a small city in New Zealand, my musical life began as a guitarist. At the age of 13, a simple visit to a music shop to return a broken amplifier resulted in a drum kit returning home with me. Sneaking into venues to watch bands set up and soundcheck led to a chance meeting with a visiting band that took an interest in me, with an invitation to play a song on the drums with them. I was invited to watch the gig that night from the safety of the side of the stage because I was underage. I was pulled on stage and placed behind the kit during their set, playing my first live gig. My first band was in the audience, and so began a journey that eventually led to full-time touring in New Zealand and Australia. Hobart became my home in 1981, and for nearly two decades, I was a member of several successful bands, which included the recording and touring band Reckless Hearts from 1993 to 1996. Fast-forward to 2020, and with Ma9Na (ma-nine-nuh) as my artist’s name, I began writing, recording, and releasing songs featuring myself, as well as local, national, and international musicians, to showcase my multi-instrumental abilities.