SIX60 On Their New Album ‘Right Here Right Now’ And The Return To Their Roots

SIX60 are going back to where it all began. With the release of their fifth studio album, Right Here Right Now, the Kiwi heavyweights have stripped things back; recording live, largely in one take, and leaning into the raw, human energy that first defined them in a Dunedin sharehouse.

The album is a return to feeling over perfection: gratitude, whānau, growth and connection threaded through songs that feel intentionally unpolished. It’s ‘medicine’, as the band puts it; joyous, grounding and deeply personal.

Fittingly, the new chapter has already played out in a very public way. As part of Auckland Airport’s 60th anniversary celebrations, SIX60 surprised travellers by swapping out the standard departures chime for the opening chords of Don’t Forget Your Roots, delivering personalised farewell messages and performing an acoustic set in the international terminal. Truly a full-circle moment for an iconic band whose own global journey has started and ended there many times.

With a world tour on the horizon (and fans able to enter to win tickets, flights and accommodation to any show), we caught up with SIX60’s Marlon Gerbes to unpack the band’s return to their roots, recording live in one room, and the advice he’d give their younger selves back in that Dunners flat.

Q: This album feels like a return to your early jamming vibe. What inspired going back to your roots?

A: It just felt right to go back to the roots style of songs. We are all fathers now and we also felt like the world needed some medicine, some healing in these turbulent times.

All in all, roots means to us, being grateful, celebrating big and small goals, being vulnerable, and being together with whanau. Align with joyous music to lift us and our people.

Q: The album leans into that raw, unpolished energy from your early days. Was that a conscious decision or did it happen naturally?

A: It happened naturally. We were keen to try it and as soon as we did it just felt right. Looking back now, it was the only way to match the kaupapa of the lyrics and the feeling they gave. Doing it this way feels human in a world becoming more and more reliant on technology.

Q: How did recording in one take shape the sound and vibe compared to your previous albums?

A: Recording the songs all in a room together naturally creates something a little less polished because it's nearly impossible for every member to feel like they had a perfect performance. What mattered was the overall feeling of the take.

The push and pull and imperfections is what makes this album feel human and potent. Our last albums were a little more pieced together with each member recording by themselves which in hindsight did those songs justice and is what we were feeling at the time.

Q: Lyrically, what are the stories you’re telling and the narrative threads?

A: Lyrically I feel like this album taps into the best versions of ourselves. The part of ourselves that is loving, caring, present, aware and conscious of who we are and what good things we give to people.

A lot of the lyrics are about being grateful for the journey with all the ups AND down, connecting with family, connecting with love and loss and taking in all of lifes good, bad and ugly with grace.

Q: What would you say to your younger selves, back in that sharehouse, if you had the chance?

I’d probably say something like: "Your music is medicine for you and the people, make sure you focus on that in every song".

Image Credit: SIX60 | Instagram

SIX60’s surprise send-offs will continue playing in Auckland Airport’s international departures area for the next month, while the lyric mural, emblazoned with Don’t Forget Your Roots, will greet millions of travellers passing through this year.

SIX60 frontman, Matiu Walters, said Auckland Airport was a natural stage to share the message behind the band’s song.

“So many Kiwis’ international adventures start here at Auckland Airport, including our own as a band. Every time we leave for a tour, this is where it all starts and finishes. That’s why the country's gateway felt like a fitting place to share the message behind the song; a reminder for all of us to stay connected to where we come from, no matter where life takes us,” Walters said.

If there was ever a reminder that no matter how far you roam, home is never far away, this is it.

Right Here Right Now is out now, with SIX60 gearing up for their next world tour. Fans can also enter to win tickets to any show globally (plus flights and accommodation) thanks to Auckland Airport.
Head here for more details. 

Main image credit: SIX60 | Instagram