New Zealand rock band
Six60
Origin Dunedin , New ZealandGenres Years active 2008–present Labels
Members
Chris Mac (bass)
Ji Fraser (lead guitar)
Marlon Gerbes (synths, samples)
Matiu Walters (vocals, guitar)
Past members
Six60 is a New Zealand pop rock band formed in Dunedin , Otago in 2008. The band consists of Matiu Walters (lead vocals, guitar), Ji Fraser (lead guitar), Chris Mac (drums, bass guitar), and Marlon Gerbes (guitar, bass guitar, synthesiser).
Their self-titled debut album was released on 10 October 2011 on their own label Massive Entertainment. The album was produced and mixed by Tiki Taane and debuted at number one in the New Zealand charts and was certified gold within its first week of release.[ 4] Their first two singles "Rise Up 2.0 " and "Don't Forget Your Roots " reached number one and number two respectively on the RIANZ singles chart and were both certified double and triple platinum.[ 5]
In 2018 the band won five Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards and were the most streamed artist by New Zealanders on Spotify .[ 6] On 23 February 2019, Six60 became the first New Zealand band to play a sold-out concert at the Western Springs Stadium , to a crowd of 50,000 fans.[ 7] On 24 April 2021, Six60 played the first concert at Auckland's Eden Park Stadium, to a crowd of 50,000 fans. It was the closing of the Six60 Saturdays country-wide tour and the largest concert of 2021.[ 8]
In February 2024, founding member Eli Paewai left the band, citing his "personal journey with music is coming to an end".[ 9] [ 10]
History
Six60 was formed in Dunedin ; the founding members met while attending University of Otago . The band created their name from the street number of the house they lived at in Dunedin, 660 Castle Street .[ 11] As Ji Fraser said, "That's where it all began. It was the beginning of everything. It was a place that meant so much to us."[ 12] In July 2021 the band bought 660 Castle Street and created four $10,000 performing arts scholarships at the University of Otago.[ 13]
Their local following developed from Dunedin to other student hubs around the country such as Auckland , Waikato , Christchurch and Wellington .[ 14]
Six60's original EP, released in 2008, contained a track called "Someone to Be Around ".[ 15] This track was left off their debut album but remains one of their most popular songs.
Six60 have a quadruple platinum number-one debut album with triple platinum-selling single "Don't Forget Your Roots ", two double platinum-selling singles "Only to Be" and "Rise Up", two platinum-selling singles "Forever" and "Special", and one gold-selling single "Lost".
In early March 2013 the band was featured on George FM Breakfast's 'Damn! I Wish I Was Your Cover' series covering Rudimental 's "Feel the Love ".
In 2014, their song "Run for It" was featured on the trailer of ITV drama series Prey , starring John Simm .[ 16] [ 17]
Chris uses a MOOG Voyager / Ernie Ball Musicman Sting Ray Bass guitars . Matiu and Ji both play Fender Strats , Gibson Les Paul electric guitars, and Gibson and Maton acoustic guitars while Marlon uses an MS2000 / Muse VIP / Fender Strat. Eli plays KDrums drums.[citation needed ] Matiu's younger brother Niko Walters debuted as a musician in 2019,[ 18] and has performed as an opening act for Six60.[ 19] [ 20]
Discography
Studio albums
Compilation albums
Extended plays
Singles
As lead artist
As featured artist
Other charted songs
Six60: Till the Lights Go Out
Six60: Till the Lights Go Out is a 2020 documentary film, directed by Julia Parnell, highlighting the bands humble beginnings to reaching global success.[ 14]
Awards and nominations
Awards
Year
Type
Song or album
Notes
New Zealand Music Awards
2011
Single of the Year
"Rise Up 2.0"
Nominated
Breakthrough Artist of the Year
"Rise Up 2.0"
Nominated
Peoples' Choice Award
Nominated
New Zealand Music Awards
2012
Single of the Year
"Don't Forget Your Roots"
Won
Best Group
"Six60"
Won
Peoples' Choice Award
Won
Highest selling New Zealand Single
"Don't Forget Your Roots"
Won
Highest selling New Zealand Album
"Six60"
Won
Radio Airplay Record of the Year
"Don't Forget Your Roots"
Won
Album of the Year
"Six60"
Nominated
Best Electronica Album
"Six60"
Nominated
New Zealand Music Awards
2013
Highest selling New Zealand Album
"Six60"
Nominated
New Zealand Music Awards
2015
People's Choice Award
Won
Album of the Year
Six60
Nominated
Single of the Year
"White Lines"
Nominated
Best Group
"Six60"
Nominated
Best Pop Album
"Six60"
Nominated
Highest selling New Zealand Single
"Special"
Nominated
Highest selling New Zealand Single
"So High"
Nominated
Highest selling New Zealand Album
"Six60"
Nominated
Radio Airplay Record of the Year
"Special"
Nominated
New Zealand Music Awards
2016
Highest selling New Zealand Single
"White Lines"
Won
Radio Airplay Record of the Year
"White Lines"
Won
Highest selling New Zealand Album
"Six60"
Nominated
New Zealand Music Awards
2017
Highest selling New Zealand Single
"White Lines"
Nominated
Highest selling New Zealand Album
"Six60"
Nominated
Notes
^ "Purple" did not reach the top 40 of the New Zealand Singles Chart, but peaked at number 3 on the Heatseekers chart.[ 33]
^ "Always Beside You" did not enter the Official Top 40 Singles Chart , but peaked at number 7 on the Hot 40 Singles Chart.[ 55]
^ "Universe" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart , but peaked at number 12 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[ 62]
^ "Tahi" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 11 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[ 63]
^ "Hang On" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number eight on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[ 63]
^ "Nobody Knows" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number 11 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[ 64]
^ "Say It Now" did not enter the NZ Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at number seven on the NZ Hot Singles Chart.[ 63]
References
^ Hepburn, Steve (11 September 2010). "Rugby: Field Matenga's chosen stage" . Otago Daily Times . Retrieved 19 June 2015 .
^ "Six60 founding member Eli Paewai to leave the band" . RNZ . 5 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024 .
^ " 'So grateful' – SIX60 drummer Eli Paewai to leave band" . 1 News . Retrieved 5 February 2024 .
^ Weaser, Laura. "Interview: Matiu Walters – SIX60" . Rip It Up. Retrieved 9 June 2014 .
^ a b c d e f g "Discography Six60" . Recorded Music NZ . Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 October 2021 .
^ "Six60 reign as most-streamed local artist on Spotify" . Stuff . 4 December 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2019 .
^ "Hours before Six60 take to the stage for record-breaking concert" . The New Zealand Herald . 23 February 2019. ISSN 1170-0777 . Retrieved 23 February 2019 .
^ Kerr-Lazenby, Mina (24 April 2021). "Six60 at Eden Park: 50,000 fans flock to Auckland stadium for inaugural concert" . Stuff NZ . ISSN 1170-0777 . Retrieved 25 April 2021 .
^ "Six60 founding member Eli Paewai to leave the band" . RNZ . 5 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024 .
^ " 'So grateful' – SIX60 drummer Eli Paewai to leave band" . 1 News . Retrieved 5 February 2024 .
^ Bailey, Thomas. "Six60" . Retrieved 9 June 2014 .
^ Gallagher, Sarah (20 February 2014). "It was the beginning of everything" . Retrieved 6 February 2018 .
^ "Tomato sauce, broken glass and beer – inside Six60's $1.7m flat purchase" . Stuff . 29 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021 .
^ a b SIX60: Till the Lights Go Out (2020) – IMDb , 26 November 2020, retrieved 28 November 2020
^ "Six60 EP" . Retrieved 9 June 2014 .
^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : "Prey | Full Trailer | ITV" . YouTube .
^ "Run for It" . Spotify . 7 February 2014.
^ Thorne, Richard (2020). "Niko Walters: Escape To The Neighbours" . NZ Musician . Retrieved 17 April 2022 .
^ Tetlow, Max (8 December 2020). "For Niko Walters, the pressure doesn't change the passion" . The Spinoff . Retrieved 17 April 2022 .
^ "Niko Walters – Vicious Love" . Mai FM . 14 September 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2022 .
^ "Discography Six60" . australian-charts.com . Retrieved 14 October 2022 .
^ "New Zealand album certifications – Six60 – Six60 (1)" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 22 July 2023 .
^ "New Zealand album certifications – Six60 – Six60 (2)" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 2 September 2023 .
^ "New Zealand album certifications – Six60 – Six60 (3)" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 30 September 2023 .
^ "New Zealand album certifications – Six60 – Castle St" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 15 January 2023 .
^ "New Zealand album certifications – Six60 – Six60 EP" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 25 June 2022 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – Don't Forget Your Roots" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 20 January 2024 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – Only to Be" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 27 May 2023 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – Forever" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 30 October 2021 .
^ a b "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – Special" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 21 November 2016 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – So High" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 5 June 2015 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – White Lines" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 8 January 2016 .
^ a b c d "New Zealand single certifications" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 2 October 2015 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – Don't Give It Up" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 23 March 2018 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – Rivers" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 12 April 2023 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – Closer" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 12 April 2023 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – Rolling Stone" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 12 April 2023 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – Vibes" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 26 April 2019 .
^ "Top 20 New Zealand Singles Chart" . Recorded Music NZ. 28 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – The Greatest" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 7 March 2020 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – Please Don't Go" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 11 January 2020 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – Raining" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 24 June 2023 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – Never Enough" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 29 February 2020 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – Long Gone" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 25 April 2023 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – Sundown" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 4 January 2024 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – Fade Away" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 21 March 2021 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – All She Wrote" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 10 December 2022 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – Pepeha" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 19 November 2022 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – Before You Leave" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 1 March 2024 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – Never Been Tonight" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 3 June 2023 .
^ Peak positions for Six60's singles on the NZ Artists singles chart:
^ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles" . Australian Recording Industry Association . 2 December 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2019 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Drax Project feat. Six60 – Catching Feelings" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 25 April 2023 .
^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2020 Singles" . ARIA. Retrieved 18 July 2020 .
^ "Hot 40 Singles Chart" . Recorded Music NZ . 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Coterie featuring Six60 – Always Beside You" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 29 July 2023 .
^ "Top 20 New Zealand Single Chart – The Official New Zealand Music Chart" . charts.org.nz. Archived from the original on 1 March 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – Someone to Be Around" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 16 September 2023 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – Finest Wine" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 29 April 2023 .
^ "Waiata / Anthems by Various Artists on Apple Music" . Apple Music NZ. 6 September 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019 .
^ "New Zealand single certifications – Six60 – Kia Mau Ki Tō Ūkaipō / Don't Forget Your Roots" . Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 16 September 2023 .
^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart" . Recorded Music NZ . 26 August 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2019 .
^ a b c "NZ Hot Singles Chart" . Recorded Music NZ . 17 October 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022 .
^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart" . Recorded Music NZ . 26 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022 .
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to
Six60 .
Eli Paewai
Chris Mac
Ji Fraser
Marlon Gerbes
Matiu Walters
Albums EPs Songs