RIP Paul Huggins (RPM, Rough Peel Records)

Paul Huggins. Photo: Stuff

I was sorry to hear of the passing of Paul Huggins. I had the privilege of working alongside him on the IMNZ board for several years, he was a hugely passionate advocate for local music and musicians. Much aroha to his family and friends.

From Tributes Online: "Paul Patrick Huggins (17/03/1965 - 28/06/2023) - After a courageous two-year journey living with glioblastoma our beautiful Paul took his last breath on Wednesday afternoon (28 June, 2023) at home, surrounded by loved ones, listening to his favourite band, Can! 

Paul was deeply loved and cherished by so many - as Trish’s attentive, caring partner, best friend and soulmate, best dad ever to his son Zak, loving brother to Glenn, Tess and Rod, adored son of Ron and Carole, great friend to many, and legend in the music community.

Paul was an all-round good guy, and the world is a much better place because of his existence and contributions. We have created beautiful, lasting memories and his spirit will be forever in our hearts and presence. Rest easy remarkable Paul.

A service to celebrate Paul’s life will be held at The Wilson Funeral Home Chapel, 375 Adelaide Road, Newtown, Wellington on Friday 30 June 2023 at 2:00pm, followed by burial at Makara Cemetery." 

Paul bought Real Groovy Christchurch off the receivers in November 2008 when Real Groovy's empire went bust. According to a report at the time, he kept all 14 staff onboard as well. The business survived the 2010 earthquake and shifted locations (a ruptured hot water cylinder above the shop had destroyed most of the stock), but Paul decided to shut down for good after the Feb 2011 quake. He was in Auckland when the second quake hit -  it also damaged his rented home in Lyttelton, with the chimney crumbling into the house.

At his service, musician Adam McGrath (The Eastern) talked about how Paul had got an insurance payout after the second quake, and had a chance to get out of music. Instead he launched a record label, Rough Peel Records. And then with the remaining payout money, opened another record store, this time in Wellington.  

McGrath recalled when he first crossed paths with Paul. In 2006 Echo Records in Christchurch, a much loved spot for him and his mates, had been sold to Real Groovy, which made him a bit suspicious. Plus Real Groovy was sending down some new guy to take over as manager, which made him even more suspicious. 

So McGrath went into the store to check this new guy out -  it was Paul. Now Paul could come across as pretty staunch, so McGrath says he slunk off without saying a thing. But eventually he saw Paul at one of his gigs of his band, The Eastern, over in Lyttelton, and later The Eastern would be the first band signed to Paul's record label. 

Paul was a big supporter of the burgeoning scene in Lyttelton around The Eastern, Marlon Williams, Reb Fountain, Delaney Davidson, Aldous Harding etc. It was Davidson who suggested the idea of starting a record label to a glum Paul, who was at a loose end after Real Groovy closed down. The label released artists like Beast Wars, Ladi6, The Cake Kitchen, Mantarays, NameUL, Estere, Cave Circles (aka Riki Gooch), and a magnificent vinyl reissue of Trinity Roots' debut album. It was an eclectic mix, but that was Paul's tastes.

Rough Peel Music, Cuba St. From video by Abby Palmer/Stuff

Rough Peel Music (RPM) opened on Vivian Street in September 2011, and after about three years moved to a new space at 173 Cuba St, a few doors away from Slow Boat Records. It was a long, narrow space packed full with amazing records and CDs, and a raft of helpful staff behind the counter. No surly types here, thank god. Just music fans, like Paul. 

Paul launched Rough Peel Radio in 2016, after some friends were looking to start a radio station as an alternative to the bland commercial stations. He offered to set it up in the front of the record shop -  volunteer DJs were on air while punters strolled in and out. However he wound it down in mid 2018, as it was running ad-free and racking up costs.

Rough Peel Radio, Cuba St. From video by Abby Palmer/Stuff

In mid-2022 it was announced Paul had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. A fundraising gig (to help him with some medication to help prolong his life) was held at San Fran in early September, with The Cake Kitchen, The Eastern, The Nudge, The Eastern, Endboss, and the original line-up of Trinity Roots playing.

At the 2023 Taite Prize event held in April in Auckland, Paul was given the Independent Spirit Award in recognition of his contributions to the local music community. Paul accepted the award with his partner and son by his side.