We have a new duo popping up on the radar. Auckland based Half Volley consists of Nick Pearson and Adrian Drew, and they bring us an iconic New Zealand anthem in Blue Smoke, worked for the newly arising A League team Auckland FC, hoping to give them an inspirational anthem as they begin their journey.

Blue Smoke was written by departing Kiwi soldier Ruru Karaitiana way back in the early days of WWII, as he was sailing to war as a member of the 28th Māori Battalion. It’s been covered a number of times since. Half Volley pays reverence to the genesis of the song by performing it stripped back of fancy gadgets, loops and tricks, instead preferring the guitars and vocals route the original was no doubt born from.

The mastered version is warm and full, despite the stripped back approach. Vocally it’s heart-felt and emotive, with the chorus going full-noise with some well crafted bass and baritone BVs under the tenor of the lead vocal that Nick gives us. Nick also gave us the guitars, with Adrian providing BVs and the bottom end sections. It was put together in Kaipara’s Investigator Studios (Adrian is also lead vocals for Kiwi band Investigator, bee tee dub).

The intention, as stated, is to give new team Auckland FC an anthem by which their fan base can get behind them. With the colour being synonymous with Auckland, and with the iconic status of this song, I can honestly say it’s a great idea and should work. If someone gets this song to the footie team’s PR and Marketing team, it should be on all their online, TV and radio promo too. Definitely a singalong song, and this version lends itself to that.

As someone who lives in unshakeable Phoenix territory, I am excited that Aotearoa is getting a second team. Derby time here we come! Maybe the guys could put together a vid for YouTube? It’s a great tune, the recording has come out really nicely, and it invokes a desire to sway one’s arms over one’s head and sing along.

Great start for Half Volley. Get behind them Auckland! Good work. Now release more!