OAKLEY GRENELL

Oakley brings new meaning to the saying “Stay in school kids”, because he's never really left! Being a High School Music Teacher by day is what allows Oakley to make music and be Central Records ‘ Director and Producer.

Basically he is the man behind …everything here really. His dad is NZ Country Singstar –John Hore Grenell, he grew up on the legendary Whitecliffs Ranch, host to the Whitecliffs Folk Festivals which are sited as a huge influence on all the Grenell kids' –brothers Denver (Psycho Puppets, Mountains of Murray), Redford (Psycho Puppets, Bunyip, Verse 2, DJ Dreadford, Shapeshifter) and sister Amiria (actress and guitar based contemporary folk artist ‘Mea' ).

After High School he went on to study Jazz Guitar at Christchurch Jazz School where he graduated with a Scholarship in Performance and since getting a Graduate Diploma of Teaching the following year he has taught in High Schools pretty much full-time in Christchurch and London.

He started experimenting with digital production techniques in 2000 and in 2002 received a grant to make his first release – The Jaded E.P and with that Central Records was also founded.

As well as producing all of Central Records releases he is also a live musician (band & theatre), DJ & Soundtrack Producer

Some of his career highlights, achievements and interesting things:

Playing support for Ben Harper

CHCH Jazz School Jazz Guitar performance Scholarship recipient

High School Music Teacher

Founder of Central Records

2002 B.Net Nominee – ‘Most promising New Act'

2003 B.Net Nominee – ‘Best Downbeat Release' ( The Otautahi Allstars L.P.)

2004 B.Net Nominee – ‘Best Downbeat Release' (O.G. ‘Uncharted L.P)

RDU Show host- ‘Central Sounds' & ‘Sunday Skool'

2003 BBC Cutting Room – Producers Award winner