It’s domestic bliss after 20 years on the road for The Eastern’s Adam McGrath

Saturday, 16 September 2023

Folk singer Adam McGrath in the Heathcote Valley, Christchurch home he shares with his partner, makeup artist Sophy Phillips, stepdaughter Lulu, and Diesel the dog.

Folk singer Adam McGrath, of The Eastern, is a proud Canterbury resident through and through.

McGrath, 46, is finally relaxing into domestic bliss after many nights on the road. He shares his book-filled Heathcote home with his partner, hair and makeup artist Sophy Phillips, 34, stepdaughter Lulu, 3, and Diesel the dog.

ADAM: I was born in Christchurch Women's Hospital, and I’m always proud and happy to be from the 03. I've lived overseas but whenever I've been in New Zealand, I've always lived in Christchurch.

The 'hardest working musician in the country' talks growing up in a state house, dealing with dealing and turning stories into songs.

I’m in Heathcote Valley now, it's really quiet, sort of surrounded by hills; peaceful, unpretentious.

My house is kind of a weird cabin, I think it was built by a potter. It looks like it's made from salvaged bits and pieces, and it's sort of oddly shaped. But you know, so am I, so that kind of works. It’s got two bedrooms and a little, tiny office.

It's hidden down a back section, and when I first moved here, it felt very on its own. Luckily I have nice neighbours who tolerate my singing and late night record playing.

Because I travel a lot, I always want to come home and feel like I’m home. Inside, I just need space to put my books up.

McGrath in the “tiny little” study of his Heathcote Valley home. Again, much like his childhood bedroom, all he needs for decor are his books and pictures up to feel at home.

When I was a kid, my upbringing; I had a lot of anxiety and stress. My room was always a sanctuary, a safe place, and I spent all my time in my room. It's sort of the same now that I live in a house, just expanded upon.

Downstairs, my house is all windows and French doors. So there's not a lot of wall space, but whatever's there, I just put books there. I think books are maybe the greatest invention ever.

One of McGrath's favourite things at home is this 'beautiful, silly and free', spur of the moment photo, of partner Sophy Phillips and her friend, from when Phillips was pregnant with her daughter Lulu.

Just recently, my partner Sophy has moved in, with her daughter Lulu, and it's very, very beautiful and exciting. It’s a whole new world.

We've known each other for a really, really, really long time. We just figured we're not going to wait around any more. We're not going to mess around any more, because our hearts and our spirits are pretty in sync. I feel like I found my other half of me, and that feels really good.

McGrath swapped his T-shirt with this one from Joe Strummer of The Clash, many moons ago at the Big Day Out. A treasured relic, it has been cut down over the years as he’s given away slices out of it to others who he feels are “doing the good work” and upholding rebel spirit.

Even before Sophy and I were together, I used to always talk to Lulu on the phone, and write her stories. We went to the zoo. I feel really lucky to have been in her life and that she's so nice to me. She gave me a hug the other day and said I was ‘the best Adam ever’. I've had a lot of good fortune in my life, but that might be one of the best things that has ever happened.

This place is a rental and my landlord is very kind to me, considering the dynamic state of my finances.

As a child, McGrath’s mother sent him out with his father out to get a winter coat but his dad bought him a sleeveless sheepskin vest and this belt buckle instead. He still wears it.

Before I was playing music for a living, I used to be a school caretaker. So I really like being outside and working in the garden. But because I travel a lot, it's a bit hard to keep on top of everything.

But I have a really nice little garden. There's a swing here and a little cubby house for Lulu, and enough space for my dog to run around in.

If I’m home, I spend most of my time upstairs in my office. I write some music up there.

I have a little kind of sun-room where I just have an old rocking chair and I sit there, and I read most mornings when I’m home.

I travel around New Zealand and parts beyond singing songs and telling stories. It's been my job for nearly 20 years now. I've seen more of the world and of New Zealand than I could have ever possibly dreamed of.

I've met so many wonderful, heroic, inspiring people around the way, so that I feel very, very, very blessed. I never take it for granted.

I've spent most of the last 15 years playing with my band, The Eastern, but I've just put out my first solo album, Dear Companions. I had just enough ambition to get it out the door, and no more. And I like to try and keep it that way.