I am @mattblackwell. I am a traveler, musician, creator, currently vanlife-ing around Australia
Kia Ora, my name is Matt and I'm a Kiwi living/traveling in Australia. I consider myself a musician, surfer, meditator, adventurer, and seeker of creativity and flow.
To summarise my story; five years ago I left New Zealand to travel, and during that time I have lived in Canada, South Africa, and most recently, Melbourne, Australia. In that time I've worked as an Aircraft Engineer, Snowmaker, and most recently an Energy Efficiency Engineer. My education is as a Mechanical Engineer. But now, I am solely a traveler again after leaving my job in February to go exploring.
My current trip is taking me from Melbourne, anti-clockwise around the coast of Australia to arrive back to Melbourne by the end of 2017. An approximate 20,000km trip in total. I am traveling solo and living out of my 1998 VW Caravelle van that I set up as a camper. Popularly called 'hashtagvanlife', it's taken me a bit to get used to living out of this small space... but I'm enjoying the lifestyle and the amount of freedom these four wheels have given me.
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I am a solo musician, singing as well as playing acoustic guitar. During this trip I am writing and recording songs and intend to share these songs on Steemit as I complete them. To record music in the van I have my laptop, along with an audio interface that connects to my condenser mic. The songs that I'm working on are a mix of previously uncompleted songs, as well as new songs that have been inspired by some of the conversations and people that I've met on my way. There's a lot to be inspired by over a 20,000km roadtrip!
So, follow me to hear these tunes as I complete them. Each song has a story that I tell through the lyrics, but I will include an explanation around the lyrics for the interest of any listeners out there.
Glad to have you on Steemit
@Hien-tran thank you for the welcome!
Welcome, I am looking forward to seeing more of your journey.
@onetree Hi!, thanks. I will also post some general travel logs and photos in the meantime!
welcome to steemit community @goodaytraders
@goodaytraders Thanks!
Welcome to Steemit Matt! I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do! :-)
Welcome. I am new here too! Upvote you!
I surf as well ( beginner) and meditate a lot beginner as well. I love arts and painting. Welcome to steemit. Following you hope you follow me too
@errymil Hi! Nice to meet you. Yes both are great activities, even surfing is meditative in its own way! Thanks for the follow, i'll give you a follow too! :D
Very true when i was just learning i just paddle alot till i get a solemn spot while waiting. And yes it is meditative as my only focus is the horizon and just imagining a perfect wave. Very positive and focus on nothing else but the wave. Thanks man
Wellcome to steemit Matt!
@justtryme90 Thanks! I appreciate the welcome!
Excellent and interesting intro @mattblackwell - you are certainly living life to the full.
I look forward to hearing your music
@gmuxx hi mate! thanks for the kind response there. I aim to have my first song up in the next two weeks!
Excellent, I look forward to hearing it 👍
Welcome to Steem @mattblackwell I have sent you a tip
@bottymcbotface Thanks mate! :D, i got it! in the memory bank ;)
Welcome! I'm a mechanical engineer and musician as well, and tales from a van life should be interesting, so consider yourself followed d-(^_^)-b
@cryptastic Hey mate! great to meet you, and thanks for the follow. Good to me another engineer/muso! Yes the van lifestyle provides plenty of interesting experiences!