Guess who’s back to let his nuts hang…
Wax Mustang (or Hamish Calder), attributes music to Dunedin upbringing. Source: Supplied / UCSA.
Nah man that’s Hamish Calder, better known as Wax Mustang.
For the past five years, the passion and punch of Calder’s presence has had fans ripping their shirts off the second he storms onto the stage, but his humble and gentle aura behind closed doors tells a slightly different story: a proud Dunedin local moving to no beat other than his own.
In the summer of '19, Calder released some raps that felt more like they came from Compton than Dunedin.
He rapped behind makeshift fences at Dunedin street parties, all while also headlining major music festivals, seamlessly blending grassroots performances with big-stage shows. And best of all, he was slinging back beers while performing at the wedding of former All Blacks captain, Sam Cane.
Five years on, he’s still landing some epic shit and doesn’t plan on stopping.
Growing up in Dunedin has been the source of all musical inspiration, with a very ‘DIY’ outlook on his childhood.
With a reasonable amount of spare time after school, Calder said they “kind of just ran with what [they] loved, which was music at the time.”
The South Island city that raised the rapper inspired pretty much everything he does, and the influence of it is riddled throughout his comical storytelling.
“I feel like there's an unwritten code in duds. And so taking that on stage just made it far more natural. I can be up there doing what I want is within reason.”
Calder performing at MONO, 2023. Source: Supplied by UCSA
His lifelong friend and co-producer, Jack Berry, essentially 'babysat' Calder into the music scene, helping him find his sound and bring Wax Mustang to life.
PHOTO: Calder said his music has become more fine-tuned.
Source: Supplied by UCSA
But despite his boundary pushing lyrics clearly landing with his audience, the future music of the 6-foot stallion reigns in his wit.
“Best way to put it is probably a bit less comical.”
As he’s grown older, Calder is leaning into a more fine-tuned version of music consisting of more “serious life things”.
Though he enjoys the stuff he said due to its humorous nature, he believes there's always a big comical side to Wax Mustang, “but not so much to me.”
Wax Mustang isn’t vastly dissimilar from Calder himself.
“But of course, [he] adds a bit of butter on top.”
The stage name and presence of Wax Mustang only emerged when he was in his early 20’s, “so there were many years of life before [Wax Mustang].”
“So it's not like I would get into a character or anything, but it's more like just juicing up.”
Having never left the country since he was two, Calder works into Aotearoa pockets of music with a focus on our culture.
“I've always felt like I got a job to do here first.”
For Calder, it never gets old, despite it possibly being his 25th time playing in Christchurch.
“I’m still not sick of it. Every single show is different. I still get the same buzz from when the first time I walked on stage.”
The anticipated album has been brewing has some time now, with “no set ways” to make music.
And strangely, no studios and definitely no collaborators.
Just a man with a mic, an interface, a laptop, and a vision.
His hatred for studios and people around when he’s making music is grounded in his old school way of creativity, sticking to what he knows best, which is simplicity.
“Just as it was at the start, that’s still my favourite way to make music.”
Wax acknowledges the appeal of collaboration, but for him, it’s the sort of thing where you “can’t share the recipe sort of thing.”
Plus, shit gets “pretty weird” according to Calder when he’s recording.
“Combining forces to make something for Wax Mustang just doesn't quite work.”
I attempt to ask the loathed ‘whatcha workin on’ question as casually as possible. To no surprise at all, Calder responded simply by saying, “music.”
The chuckle that followed his response became synchronized with my own as I realised just how firm Calder holds his cards to his chest.
“I’m constantly working on the Hamish Calder. And the music doesn’t come out until that side is sussed.”
Five years of running the Aotearoa rap scene with no album has had fans hungry for more, and he’s well aware of their appetite.
“The album is one thing I know everyone wants and has been after for a while. And it’s what I want, we’re just trying to get it right.”
Calder’s leisurely release of music requires fans to remain patient, but it doesn’t stop them from selling out every show he headlines.
And though his discography on Spotify holds only four songs, his tracks and vintage music videos rack up hundreds and thousands of views.
He wants to do it until people want it.
“And as long as I wanna put it out, then we’re good,” Calder said.
Calder said he has a very strong idea of what he wants to do and the music he wants to put out. But believes that talking about it or giving hints is usually to no one's benefit.
Drawing one card from is hand, he leaves me with this:
“Next six months I’ll be around, how about that?”