As part of the current Nga Toi Arts Te Papa season we are fortunate enough to work alongside our curators, some of the exhibiting artists, and scholars to help produce our audience engagement programme. One initiative is to ask writers, poets, visual artists, performers and musicians to produce artistic responses to works exhibited in Nga Toi Arts Te Papa.
One of this seasons responders is Riki Gooch, musician, composer and rookie pizza maker. I have been a fan of Riki since his days with Trinity Roots, so when we were asked if we knew composers who maybe interested in responding to Colin McCahon’s Walk. I quickly suggested Riki and a couple of emails and phone calls later, Riki confirmed his interest.
What I hadn’t realised at the time we asked Riki was his long interest in Colin McCahon. Riki is Dunedin raised, and his interest stems from growing up in a place that was formative for McCahon’s and his own work. So much so that Riki composed the music for the Colin McCahon documentary I AM.
Who is Riki Gooch.
A graduate of the New Zealand School of Music Riki’s music career started out as a founding member of Trinity Roots. He has since become an in demand musician and producer to many NZ artists including Jonathan Crayford, Leila Adu, Recloose, Bic Runga, The Adults, Ladi 6, Crowded House, The Phoenix Foundation, Electric Wire Hustle and many more. He has also worked with many international artists such as Dam Funk, DJ Vadim, Adam Page and Bill Ware.
He has worked on soundtracks like the previously mentioned documentary I AM, short film Tama Tu, feature film Two Little Boys and many local TV productions. An award winning producer, Riki has collected New Zealand Music awards for his work with Trinity Roots, Recloose and as the producer of Ria Halls debut album. His discography and musical collaborations are a who’s who of Aotearoa’s finest, groundbreaking artists of the last 15 years. He also helped create the soundscape for the Te Papa exhibition Paper Skin.
Scheduled for the 23rd of February in the Nga Toi Arts Te Papa gallery, Riki will be joined by a who’s who of Wellington musicians and senior music students from Taita College to perform a musical response to Colin McCahon’s Walk.