Marcus Powell from Blindspott

Man, Blindspott!

I was too late to find out about this band. They had already broken up a year before I stumbled upon the reggae-influenced ‘Phlex’, which became sort of an anthem for me and Vicho, a very close friend.

I was super stoked to find them and I’ve kept their music close to my heart in the 10 years that have passed since. Blindspott mix lots of atmospheric, melodic chords and catchy singing with powerful, heavy parts and the result is this seamless flow of energy and emotions. Very honest and natural.

I’ll skip the history lesson, because it’s all out there and easy to find. All that matters is the boys are back at it. I got the chance to send Marcus Powell some questions and I hope this chat leaves you with the same uplifting feeling it had on me. Safe to say - this guy is much more than a guitar player.

LC: How much does it mean to be back with your mates after all these years, selling out shows?

Marcus: Its like being the womb with a warm beer mate. Nice and cosy.

LC: Is what made you start the band over 20 years ago still valid today?

Marcus: Blindspott started in my mates house jamming. We went through a few singers before finding Damian which I think was when Blindspott was really conceived. The songs always began with riffs I wrote. When I wrote the songs it came from a very honest place of expression. Playing those songs today is just the same. I can tap into that same feeling at anytime and perform better than ever. I also have much more experience so I think its a better time.

LC: Blindspott has been hugely successful in New Zealand and Australia and I’m left with the feeling you are happy to keep the show at home. Is that true?

Marcus: We have a lot of requests to cross the ditch. TBH if the opportunity arises I think we would.

LC: I think it’s very important for each person to give back to their local community regardless of what they’re doing in life. I guess, save for all the music, your way of doing that is the Crescendo Trust of Aotearoa – what kind of problems are young people in New Zealand faced with and how does the CTOA help them?

Marcus: This is a very long conversation. I look after 16 paid staff and around 42 volunteers. We maintain relationships with Oranga Tamariki, The youth justice and custody programme, Iwi, Auckland council, alt eds, schools and many more. These people combined bring in 260 young people through our 6 venues. We have a very holistic approach to well being, safety, happiness and love by using music (this expands into videography, photography, radio broadcasting, content creation and much much more) as a vehicle to do so.

So to answer your question, if we examine the backgrounds of our young people, explore their traumas, self belief patterns, self worth issues, drug and alcohol use, depression and anxiety etc., the list is very long.
How we help is by having very simple ingredients. Skills, Time and Love.
Industry professional mentors/educators who can deliver transitional hands on skills to our Rangatahi (youth). Paying them well to invest their time to deliver those skills. Loving our young people unconditionally. I want to be in a society where religious beliefs, sexuality, genders, ethical views and moral codes are respected and not judged. No one can truly understand another persons journey. All we can do is empathise.

This is our Kaupapa. This is the foundation on which we build our community and ultimately serve our youth.

LC: How easy or difficult is it to start a band and be serious about it at the moment in New Zealand? Are there many gigs happening?

Marcus: There are loads of gigs on if you look hard enough. From grassroots gigs to stadium gigs. The NZ market is ripe at the moment.
Starting a band is like starting a family. Be prepared for many ups and downs but also recognise that everyone needs to share the same vision or strategy. You have to be clear about which direction your waka (canoe, crew) is heading. You determine your destiny.

LC: What are some of the shows you’ve been to recently? Are there any up and coming NZ bands you want to share with us?

Marcus: I attend gigs all the time and often put them on at the grassroots level.

Here are some of the young people our mentors work with who are young and owning it.

Church and AP - Ready or Not - currently number 1 in the charts. Half a million streams. 18 years of age…
Gino October - Energy
Amelia Thurlow - Don’t Come Back
Liana Frangipani - Little Flower
Mr 0600

Bands I enjoy from NZ in the same vein or genre as us are Coridian, Kerretta, Jakob. I play in City Of Souls as well in which I am a huge fan of. Its rare to have that feeling and be in the band as well.

LC: Now that you are back on the road, can we expect to find you back at the studio as well at some point?

Marcus: Don’t rule it out…

LC: What would you want Blindspott’s legacy to be one day when it all comes to a natural end?

Marcus: Just knowing the people is enough for me. I’ve met and spoken to so many people which the music I have written has effected. That is enough.

LC: What makes you laugh these days?

Marcus: Walking into a glass door, ice cream rolling down your top, fails, lol cats, my daughter. Life is full of laughter at the moment. It feels healthy. I see humour in a lot of things

Listen to: Blindspott - Stay