Interview: Casual Healing

How did this all start, did you grow up loving music, singing. Was this always a dream for you?
‍We’re all on earth to pursue a path of healing. That's healing trauma stored in our DNA, hurt from our upbringing, and anxiety for the future. I grew up with heaps of good music playing and found my voice as a young man at boarding school singing hymns in the chapel. Music is my way of anchoring to the present moment and using lyrics and melody to guide the heart deeper into love.

Who are your music inspirations/ do you look up to?
‍The birds in the trees and the sound of children playing.

Who are your music idols?
‍Bob Marley, Trinity Roots, Nina Simone, Freddy Mercury, Marcus Gad, my Papa.

What keeps you motivated?
‍My Tamariki, my Wahine, my soul and liberating my people along the way.

How has your approach to songwriting evolved over the years?
‍I’ve stopped writing what I think people want to hear and started writing songs that Inspire elevated emotions such as peace, inner standing and gratitude.

What inspired you to launch your solo project Casual Healing?
‍I just needed a name for my mission

Let’s talk about your new EP’s, Why did you choose to structure your 2025 project as four separate EPs rather than a full album? What was some of the inspiration behind them and what are you hoping listeners take away?
‍I wanted to honour our natural world by giving each element of Te Taiao a moment to shine. It's actually been a massive challenge because it required four separate release campaigns over the year. We’ve learned a lot and I'm grateful for all the support to make it possible. The inspiration comes from the earth itself, everything is vibrational, and music is a way we can connect. I hope people feel more at home and motivated to heal, connect and fully embrace this life.

With AHI and HAU already out, what can listeners expect from WAI and ONE, both musically and thematically?

Like water, WAI is smooth and calming, with a lot of inspiration drawn from the feminine, big RnB and Soul flavours. ONE is bold and strong, like the earth that holds all the tribes. This last ones special, recorded with an 11 piece band live at Massey Studio, BIG reggae roots revival.

Let’s also talk about your latest single, Moving Together, what was the inspo here and the key messages you wanted to share?
‍Moving Together was inspired by my relationship with Milo. We’ve had some many ups and downs, but we moved through it all together. I know in my heart if we keep our focus on healing and putting the ego down, we can keep moving together in love. The track is a huge encouragement to anyone out there who's trying to make it work with their partner.

What burger do you think ‘Moving Together’ would be?
‍Definitely a slow cooked lamb burger with fresh pickles and red onions.

What would your ideal BF burger contain?
‍A venison patty with cheese, sauerkraut and BBQ sauce.

Sound Check, Vibe Check

1. What is your go to song to Jam out to in the car? One Drop - Bob Marley

2. Who is your favourite artist at the moment? Cleo Sol

3. One thing you can’t perform without?  A deep breath

4. One artist or band you would love to co-lab with? TEEKS

Fire or Backfire?

1. Pickles in burgers: Fire

2. Crocs: Fire until the high tide sweeps them up

3. Karaoke: Fire if Koro’s singing Roy Orbison

4. BurgerFuel Aioli: FIYA, send us a jar <3

5. Acoustic performances: Fire?!

6. NZ Music Month: NZ Music every month

7. Festivals: Backfire if its just about getting wasted

8. Singing in the shower: How do you think I got this far?

9. Pineapple on pizza: Fire af

10.    Supermarket in bare feet: Surely

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Check out the new music from Casual Healings HERE and stay up to date on everything he gets up to HERE.

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