Tony sound engineer, producer musician, composer, sound designer and film-maker A multi instrumentalist, he is well recognised for live solo and ensemble performances on acoustic finger style guitar, renonators (dobros) and steel guitars.
Tony is a prolific composer and continues to challenge the boundaries of musical styles, working across a vairietry of genres from americana and bluegrass to celtic and anywhere across the traditional dividing lines.
The journey in film started with composing music for drama shorts, followed closely by sound design, cinematography, editing, composing for features, directing and producing documentary projects. His music and media projects at times merge to create new and innovative productions.
As a musician, Tony is well known in folk music circles for his work on the resonator guitar and in recent years as a member of the band Across The Great Divide. Contributing to many recordings and album projects, Tony’s resonator and guitar performances cover a wide range musical genres.
The Folk Community is more than just music, it's a celebration of folk fellowship. We come together as whanau (family), meet heartily on the field with old friends and discover new ones. We share our stories, music, laughter and occasional tears, immersing ourselves in the warmth of community. The joy of music and dance gathers us, but folk fellowship is the essence , the whakawhanaungatanga,glue that binds us).
I would like to see that we collectively nurture and encourage the values and expressions of this tradition, ensuring that it thrives for generations to come.
Tony was instantly hooked on the resonator and worked to uncover the mysterious versatility that produces speed, bite and exquisite melody. Over the last six years he has travelled to Nashville for Rob Ickes ResoSummit and studied under the tutelage of some of the best resonator and steel players in the business including Rob Ickes, Sally Van Meter, Mike Witcher, Andy Hall, Cindy Cashdollar, Randy Kohrs and Jerry Douglas.
Tony’s first short film, Te Aurere me te Papaa (Passion and Conflict), was selected by National Geographic for their All Roads Film Festival and premiered at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. Inspired by the film makers and adventurers he met, started Tony on a journey of feature documentary films, indigenous and social justice projects and media that made a difference. This culminated in the unique film “The Snapper Sandwich”. Arguably a world first documentary feature film where narration and music was performed live onstage by the director.
This is now culminated to create the world of KettleWink.
KettleWink, Curio Film&Music and the Creative Space Machine are places to explore all that is creative in music and film. The boundaries of this universe are yet to be fully explored,
challenging the osmotic line between reality and fantasy.
Tony has seamlessly combined his multi-disciplinary skills in music, film, sound design, and project management into one unique creative life force.
This fusion manifests through KettleWink, a space where creativity thrives and where music and film meet in innovative and unexpected ways. KettleWink is not just a studio, it is a vision that challenges the osmotic line between imagination and reality, blending fantasy, folklore, and real-world issues.
Through KettleWink, Tony has cultivated a relaxed yet inspiring environment, where clients and collaborators are encouraged to bring their creative ideas to life. Whether it is recording music, producing live performance videos, or designing soundscapes, Tony’s ability to blend technical expertise with artistic vision makes every project a memorable experience. His work is characterized by an intuitive understanding of how music and film interact, creating immersive environments that captivate audiences.
Tony's approach to creative projects also extends to live performances and music videos. He has a deep passion for folk and traditional music, which he blends with modern cinematic techniques to tell stories that resonate emotionally. The KettleWink experience is about collaboration, bringing diverse talents together to explore new ideas and push boundaries. Whether capturing intimate moments or large-scale performances, Tony ensures that each project tells a compelling and authentic story.
The KettleWink Chronicles reflect his commitment to bringing unique artistic projects into the world. Tony’s diverse background allows him to see the potential for connection between music, film, and culture. This philosophy is at the heart of KettleWink, where every project—whether it’s a film, music composition, or live concert—is not just a job, but a journey toward creative innovation and expression.