With The Dorado Experiment’s debut album Becoming A Man out in the world, Blue is riding the high of a milestone moment – one built on instinct, improvisation and heart. Equal parts grounded family man and electrifying frontman, he brings a sense of wonder to everything he does, all filtered through his trademark rose-tinted glasses and a deep belief in the power of feeling alive – on record and on stage.
How did The Dorado Experiment come to life?
It started with Bo and I. We’d circled the idea for about a year before the stars aligned. When we finally clicked send, it moved fast – we wrote over half the album in a day, and a lot of those songs made the final record. The rest of the band came together naturally, the way things do when you stay open and curious.
Your debut album Becoming A Man just dropped – what does that moment mean to you?
It feels like completion in a way I hadn’t experienced before. I’ve had incredible moments through music, but sitting down with the band and listening end-to-end… that was different. As a kid, I’d get goosebumps listening to great music. I’ve chased that feeling ever since. Hearing this album for the first time, I felt it again - through every track. It honestly took it out of me, like I’d run a marathon upside-down. That’s how I knew we’d done something real.
What goes into becoming a great frontman beyond singing?
It’s not about ego. It’s about being truly there - raw, present and honest. There’s a lot of stories about artists going off the rails, it’s even romanticised – and I get why. But for me, it’s a privilege to step on stage. I treat it with a gentlemens of code - staying grounded, holding integrity and building a strong community around me.
Your live shows have a wild reputation - what’s the craziest thing you’ve done?
There’s been a few moments. I’ve climbed eight-metre scaffolding towers, hung off rafters, crowd surfed, stage dived… even played a few Wellington house parties in nothing but my underwear. But it’s not about being reckless – it’s about bringing that childlike energy out. Like you’re in a limitless playground. When people feel that freedom, they give it back tenfold.
What does it feel like stepping on stage as a frontman?
It feels like your heart’s breaking and falling in love at the same time. You’re standing in front of hundreds of people, all ready to feel something. The best way I can honour that is to get out of my own way and let something bigger move through me – call it the muse, call it rock’n’roll. I picture it like this: I stand in the centre of an infinity symbol. The band is one loop behind me, the crowd is the loop in front - and I’m the bridge holding the connection open.
Who are you when you’re not on stage?
I’m a family man in the old sense of the word, and a student of life. I try to stay grounded in discipline and presence, connected to the idea that being alive is a pretty wild opportunity. Most mornings start with a cold river swim. The days are full - running my landscaping business, Down 2 Earth, with a great crew. I live in a house I built with my father-in-law for my wife, my daughter and our dog Scruff. It’s a full life - and I see it all through heart-shaped, rose-tinted glasses.
How do your landscaping business and music career collide?
Day job, night job - but they feed each other. Landscaping keeps me grounded, fit, and connected to the community. Music is the release - the expression, the celebration. One keeps me steady at the helm, the other lets me fly.
What’s next for The Dorado Experiment?
The album’s out – so now it’s about getting it into people’s hands. We’re not chasing trends. We’re a rock band. We want to connect with people directly – through shows, collaborations, getting our music into films, games, wherever it fits. And yeah, plenty more live shows. You can’t keep rock’n’roll caged for long.
What’s one belief or mindset that’s helped you get to where you are?
“There’s no shortcuts to any place worth going.” I had that on a poster as a kid - a guy hanging off a cliff by one hand. That stuck with me. Anything meaningful takes time, effort and commitment.
What does a typical day look like for you right now?
I’m up around 5:30am for a cold river swim, then stretching or yoga. After that, coffee and a quiet moment. I call it SSS: Swim, Stretch, Simple. Then it’s straight into work – emails, scheduling, design, running jobs, connecting the dots with the crew. By evening, it’s family time or band practice. Before bed, I write a list for the next day so I can switch off properly. Then it repeats.
What does Nelson mean to you?
Moving here was one of the biggest risks I’ve taken - but it gave me everything – music, business, family. I’ve found incredible musicians, built a home, built a life. And having something like the Silvan Steps Amphitheatre just up the road? That’s pretty special. No matter where life takes me, this is home base.
You seem constantly driven – what are you still learning?
I’m learning how to shift gears - to strike fast when it’s time to work, and slow right down when it’s time to be present. Admittedly, I put a lot of pressure on myself to keep building. But I’m realising that making the most of life isn’t always about pushing forward, sometimes it’s about actually experiencing what you’ve already built.
If someone hasn’t seen The Dorado Experiment yet - what would you say?
I’d invite them properly – look them in the eye and tell them to experience something real. Put the phone down, break the routine, throw on a jacket and come to a show. This isn’t just a band - it’s something happening right in front of you. We’re just local guys you could pass on the street. But what we’re building is bigger than that. Come and feel it for yourself. Have I got your attention?
