Amplifier

Derek Lind

Derek Lind lives in Auckland, New Zealand with his wife Ra and their three children. He has been an active performer of original music for about fifteen years.

The past few years has seen Derek commit himself fully to his music and related creative pursuits. Prior to that he was a high school teacher, in charge of the art department of a large Auckland school. Art is Derek's other main passion - he has a degree in Fine Arts with a painting major.

Derek is in constant demand for concerts, seminars and workshops around New Zealand. He has toured the country extensively, including two three month tours, with the family via campervan, playing in numerous small towns, prisons, universities and high schools. Along the way Derek promoted the work of the relief and development agency, Tear Fund.

Derek has also performed to enthusiastic audiences further afield in places such as the Greenbelt Festival in England, on several occasions at Australia's Blackstump Festival and at the Cornerstone Festival in the USA

In 1989 he spent some time visiting relief and development projects in Pakistan and Bangladesh for Tear Fund. In 1993 he also visited the Philippines and Thailand. 1997 saw Derek's first trip with Tear Fund to India, a country he loved.

He has a heart for issues of justice, compassion and equity, particularly for the oppressed of this world. He performs regularly for Tear Fund and has written scripts and songs for Tear Fund audio visuals.

Derek has played at major arts and music festivals in NZ and has supported international acts such as Sam Philips, Michelle Shocked, Randy Stonehill and the Hot House Flowers.

He has recorded four albums to extensive critical approval and has been awarded Gospel album of the year in the NZ music awards. His albums sparkle with quality and substance and are a credit to the community of creative musicians, producers and friends who have supported Derek and his family in their work.

His music is in the tradition of the singer-songwriter, drawing it's influences form the blues, country and rock music. Influences include Dylan, Neil Young, T-Bone Burnette, John Prine, Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Richard Thompson, Peter Case, John Hiatt, Van Morrison...

He is equally at home as a solo performer playing aggressive and skilful acoustic guitar, or in front of his band. His desire is that his music confronts people as to their response to social issues, their personal relationships and their faith