Gene Rivers

Gene Rivers-DJ/Radio/TVKia ora about me well, dont really know how to use my space properly but Im getting there... I think...so Born and raised in Mangere, South Auckland. Brought up in music with a musical family, my Dad, Uncles and Aunts where part of the Maori showband era. so had time to pick up the bass, guitar and drums at an early age but never fully developing my hand on either doh!! Soul, jazz and funk were my earliest influences(thanks Dad) then of course growin up in Mangere in the 70s and 80s had all sorts of an influence on me.Myself now... firstly Im a proud Daddy lol then Im a DJ mostly playin Soul vintage to Nu form and that includes everything that has influenced Soul music and everything that draws inspiration from Soul music so as you can imagine its pretty eclecctic.I am currently working in the TV biz for a 9 to 5, trainee director type buzz at the mo.. then who knows once I get my stripes.. docos.. short films yeah gotta get this message outa me and to the world..I DJ on 2 radio stations George FM 96.8 (Sunday 4-6pm)holding down the Chocolate Sunday show which is a total journey thru soul music from jazz to downbeat, nu soul to hip hop, rare groove, broken beat to dub anyhting and everything soul music umbrellas. I have been part of George FM New Zealands premier heads music station for over 5 years now and was insrumental in the formation and current sound that is KFM 106.9, holding down a show The Second Gear Drive (wed 4-6pm).I also play a residency at Verona cafe on K Rd The Good Groove every Thursday evening again serving up the soul based tunes to complement the delightful selection of food and wine and the eclecctic environment that is Krd. I also play a monthly at Suite on Hobson St along side George Sunday family members Pete Nice and Nyntee lighting up ya ears with a feast of soul infused tunes. You can alsfind me on the regular at La Zeppa, Rakinos, Khuja Lounge amongst others.. A DJ about town I guess you could say I have also had the oppurtunity to play alongside Alice Russell, TM Juke, Sola Rosa, Manuel Bundy(my hero haha) You can check out www.mukuna.co.nz for more dillys on my gigs.I am currently in production mode again having a number of years experience i have decided to pull finger and seriously get to work on producing an EP.. (we'll see haha) with friends DJ Exile, Miss BMe, 24/7(Nashville Tennesee) and other local cats 2008 should uncover the fruits of our labours. In the recent past I have produced 2 soundtracks for an Arts doco series which screens in Aotearoa, North America, Canada and throughout Asia..The ALT TV thang keeps me busy also... I present a music TV show that again reflects my love of all things SOULFUL. I approach TV much the same as DJing... diggin deep to bring the freshness... Billie Holiday to Breakestra./