The roads that pointed here _{by Madelaine Empson}

"Incontestably one of Aotearoa’s most influential and lauded contemporary songwriters” (Undertheradar), Delaney Davidson has taken to the road this month to celebrate his extensive and star-studded catalogue with special band The Anniversaries. With an artistry that straddles modern Americana and the blues, country and rock, folk and noir, the inimitable Kiwi musician is only just home from a guest performance in the US with Tami Neilson, who’s currently on tour with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson.

“There have been moments in my life where the body feels like it is operating at another pace to what is happening or how the head is working”, he tells me. “Meeting Willie was one of those moments.”

Looking back over 20 years, more than 14 albums, countless collabs and awards… what major milestones jump out at you?

Wow, there are some hefty ones. My dad passing, recording solo album number 10, getting to work with Dave Dobbyn, watching my friends and their amazing musical works develop. Working with Tame Iti. A lot of touring and travelling that somehow feels like it’s not possible to do any more. Moving into album production. Seeing the musical world change with COVID and the advent of streaming. Getting to the point where I feel like I am older but also still a kid. 

The upcoming Anniversary Tour reaches Meow on the 18^th and St Peter’s Village Hall in Paekākāriki on the 19^th of July. I wouldn’t be surprised if you had stories to tell from past times at both venues! 

I have played a lot of times at St Peter’s. Feels like the last time was with Barry Saunders. Some memories from these last shows were people getting into it and dancing, turning the night into what every musician wants to see: a country-style hall full of people having a good time. Somehow, in Paekākāriki, this feels like it’s often the case with these shows. It’s not a city show and has a small draw from the surrounding towns. Also being on that beautiful Kapiti Coast helps with the sweep of the water and that feeling of possibility blowing in. Wellington’s windy spirit always has some sort of a folk feel to me. 

Can you describe meeting Willie Nelson recently after he sang on Beyond the Stars, a song you co-wrote with Tami Neilson about the loss of both of your dads?

I tried to remember to just soak it up. Be there at the table, a small circle of light in the dark tour bus. I thought of my dad and I thought of all the roads and things that had led to this point. It was like a million things colliding inside me. Such a powerful moment and all in a matter of minutes. Afterwards I just cried on Tami’s shoulder. I felt like I was trying to process so many things. All the times I had sung Willie’s songs – at tables, funerals, wakes, to myself, with friends – and hearing him talk about singing one I had co-written. I felt like I had been connected to the spirit I have chosen to live my life by. It felt profound.