A quiet Auckland studio full of amps, guitars and recording gear is a world away from the packed stadiums of adoring fans and high-energy shows synonymous with Chris Mac’s role as bassist for Kiwi pop-rockers Six60.
However, it’s here where Chris, 41, is fuelling another of his musical passions – helping to nurture the talents of aspiring young musicians.
For almost a decade, he’s been a mentor for Smokefree Rockquest, the country’s largest original music competition for young Kiwis. It’s helped propel many top artists to fame, including Anika Moa, Opshop, Evermore and, more recently, Georgia Lines.
“I started as an MC for Smokefree Rockquest, and quickly fell in love with the programme. The way it supports kids and treats them like real musicians trying to make a break got me,” explains Chris. “When I’m in town, I practically demand to be part of the team mentoring the finalists and helping to produce their songs.
“I love it so much – meeting the kids and helping them on their journey.”
Chris, who also plays guitar, drums and synth, is excited to start working with the next crop of talent among the 10 national finalists who will battle it out for the overall Smokefree Rockquest crown at the national final this Saturday.
“I’m lucky to stretch around a few different genres, so I never know who I’ll be working with,” he says. “It might be a hip-hop act one day and a metal band the next.”
The overall winners get a few extra days in the studio with their mentors. During that time, they can polish their songs and make them radio-ready. Chris admits it usually takes a day before the young musicians ask him about Six60.
“I love talking about the band,” grins Chris. “It’s a good reminder for me how cool my life is and also lets them see what the possibilities are. We’re no different to these kids. In fact, when we started out, we were probably not as good as some of them!”
When Woman’s Day chats with Chris, he’s spending a few hours in the studio mentoring up-and-coming Kiwi musician Bella Rafflyn, 21. She has just released her first single, Overdrive, with his help.
They first met during 2020’s Smokefree Rockquest, when Bella’s band made it to the national final.
“I singled Bella out and said, ‘Let’s write some songs together!’ She was so talented and effortlessly cool,” remembers Chris. “I inserted myself into her life and now she’s basically part of our family!”
Bella was still at high school at the time. She had some trouble convincing her schoolmates she was working with the bass player from Six60.
She says it’s “amazing” to have Chris in her corner, advocating for her and pushing her outside her comfort zone.
“Meeting Chris and his friends in the music industry, and signing to Six60’s label, has been a massive and super-cool journey,” she enthuses.
Reflecting on his own journey as a young muso in Darwin, Australia, is what motivates Chris to do his bit for the next generation.
“I felt like I was the only person at school who wanted to pursue a career in music,” he recalls. “But I was lucky to have some key people in my life who supported me. They said, ‘Yeah, give it a go’, or, ‘Let’s put on a gig’, when many others weren’t as supportive.”
After working in numerous bands and teaching music to other students at high school, it was a trip to New Zealand to visit his mum in Invercargill that proved life-changing.
He fell in love with Southland and also a Southlander, his now-wife Mel, whom he married soon after. When their daughter Stellar was born in 2009, Chris had the fateful meeting with Six60. A fellow teacher at the school where he was working told him the band was looking for a bass player.
Chris reveals being part of New Zealand’s biggest band makes for an extraordinary life. Not just for him, but for Mel and Stellar too.
“Balancing work and life is a weird concept to me. Music is such a big part of our lives,” Chris admits. “Stellar was a baby when I joined Six60, so this is just what Dad does. It sucks sometimes when I’m away for a long time, but my family loves coming to gigs. They’ve travelled the world with me, which is amazing.”
Once he’s back from Six60’s tour in Europe, Chris is looking forward to working alongside the next group of talented young musicians to emerge from Smokefree Rockquest.
“It’s super-exciting to see kids express themselves through their music and have the opportunity to get onstage to perform,” he tells. “You can play a song a million times in your bedroom, but there’s no comparison to the magic of getting up on stage, with the lights on, and performing it in front of a crowd!”
Keep up to date with Bella’s musical career and how Chris is helping her on her Instagram page.
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