I first met Hamish in 1978 when the Clean played at Mollet Street.

He’s been a good friend ever since and someone I love.

I am curating this exhibition out of love and on behalf of Hamish’s family, friends and fans.

Hopefully this exhibition will also help to focus a light on Hamish’s creativity and unique spirit.

You can read more about Hamish in the campaign words but for those that don't know much about me and my background - read on.

You may know me as the bass player in The Bats which have been "almost famous" in some parts of the world, surviving over 40 years with the same line-up. We're currently putting the finishing touches on our 11th album. I have been a sound engineer, both live and in the studio plus produced a large number of music videos.

Looking back, the first band that I formed along with my friends was known as the Detroit Haemerroids AKA the Basket Cases, which dates back to the mid 1970's. We mostly played covers of Can, Velvet Underground and other obscure bands of the time. Late 1978 I moved to Auckland and joined up with the guys from The Enemy when their bass player Mick Dawson quit. Along with Chris Knox, Alec Bathgate, Mike Dooley and Jane Walker we became Toy Love. 20 months later we burnt out after charting with three 7" singles, an album and performing in excess of 450 wild gigs in New Zealand and Australia.

Playthings followed, then shortly after, the Bats and Minisnap.

In 2019 Alec Bathgate, Kaye Woodward, Hamish Kilgour and I fell into another band, Sundae Painters, and jammed our way towards releasing a 7" single. Sadly, Hamish left this mortal coil late 2022 and as a tribute to him we released a self titled album of songs that reached #2 on the NZ Top 40.

To survive my creative career (and bring up a family) while living in New Zealand I have been an event manager for the last 33 years. I recently gave up the "day job" and have happily devoted my life to creative endevours.

Mostly music related but I've also dipped a toe into acting in a budget Horror Comedy film.

I hope I don't get type cast.

https://toiotautahi.org.nz/views/paul-kean/