From fans to friends. A local rock band from Wanaka ended 2024 on Spark Arena’s stage playing with Grammy-nominated act Highly Suspect. 2025 saw the band interrupt their usual rotation of gigs with a nationwide tour promoting their self-titled album, Powder Chutes. Shredding through chords and slopes, the band named after a narrow gully of snow takes on Re:Ori 25. Powder Chutes headlines Tuesday night at U-Bar, supported by Ammonita, Fübar, One Day and The Daze.
Critic Te Ārohi spoke to the lightly dusty duo, Clarke West (guitarist) and Otis Murphy (bassist). Absentees to the yarn were (lead singer) Henry McConnell, and (drummer) Archie Orbell. Clearly, the Après ski hangover got to them.
Just like an iceberg, the lore of this band runs deep. Archie, Otis, and Henry started playing together in year six of primary school. The latest addition to the band was Clark, completing the quartet in 2020. Now the bandmates all flat together in their hometown, Wanaka.
Clarke labels Highly Suspect as one of the band's biggest influences alongside Korn, Tool, Turnstile and Kora. This indie rock band doesn't need to be signed to a label because they have a Dad-ager. The band owes it all to Otis' Dad, Murph, who acts as their manager. "We wouldn't be able to organise half the stuff by ourselves 'cause we're all useless idiots," jokes Clarke.
Professional lighting, high quality production, and a strong creative vision set this band's music videos apart. Local resources are used to keep production value low. The secret behind the sauce is their director and cinematographer Joe Murdie. This industry professional is an expert in bringing out the best in the natural environment. In the music video for their song 'Merchants' a sandstorm takes place. Otis reveals that it is just his Mum standing "far behind the camera with a bag of sand and a leaf blower."
When the boys attended Highly Suspect's Christchurch show in 2024, they sprinted to reach the barricade. These lads finna be in the pit. In an act of self-promotion Archie threw some Powder Chutes merch onto the stage. Johnny, the lead singer of Highly Suspect recognized the band name. Picking up the hat, he said, "Powder Chutes? I've heard of Powder Chutes before." He then proclaimed on stage: "Next time we come to New Zealand, you're gonna open for us."
A 'chance' encounter in town later that night had the two bands yapping. After realizing that both bands were playing shows in Wellington that weekend, Johnny asked the boys to be their opening act. The day before the show, all posters were changed to include Powder Chute's name. Otis was honoured, but also joked that the last minute changes "must have been a pain in the arse" for their publicist.
“That was one of our best gigs ever,” said Otis. At kick ons in Wellington town, Highly Suspect asked the Wanaka band to open for them again, this time in Auckland. With only two days to prepare and no way of getting their kit to Spark Arena, they had to pull every favour they could. Shoutout to the legends who drove a drum kit from Welly to Auckland in time for the event.
The night peaked when Johnny demanded Henry break free from the mosh pit and get up on stage for ‘Lydia’ the band’s biggest hit. Johnny handed Henry the microphone. Having covered the song a million times before Henry knew exactly what to do. Clarke got given a shot at playing guitar while the rest of the band hyped them up. “This is the start of a very long friendship,” Johnny told the audience. In reflection Clarke called it “coolest moment of my life,” while Otis chimed in, “Honestly, I wish I remembered it more.”
Powder Chutes is setting its sights on higher peaks: next up is recording a new album. Catch them at U-Bar for Re:Ori on Tuesday, July 15th. Get in quick and purchase your ticket from OUSA’s website.