Tim Finn: The Pioneering Voice of New Zealand Rock

Tim Finn is a foundational singer-songwriter from Te Awamutu, New Zealand, whose career spans five decades across solo work and legendary bands. His primary musical achievement is co-founding the internationally successful art-pop group Split Enz, whose 1980 album "True Colours" topped the charts in New Zealand and Australia and went platinum.

Early career

Born in 1952, Tim Finn formed Split Enz with brother Neil Finn and others in Auckland in 1972. The band's theatrical art-rock, showcased on early albums like "Mental Notes" (1975) and "Second Thoughts" (1976), built a cult following before a major stylistic shift.

Breakthrough

Split Enz achieved mainstream international breakthrough in 1980 with the new wave classic "I Got You". The single, from the "True Colours" album, became a number one hit in Australia and New Zealand, propelling the album to multi-platinum sales and establishing the band's new, more accessible sound.

Key tracks

I Got You — This chart-topping single defined Split Enz's new wave era and remains their signature hit.

Six Months in a Leaky Boat — A later Split Enz epic that became an anthem in Australasia despite BBC radio bans during the Falklands War.

Fraction Too Much Friction — Finn's first major solo hit in 1983, showcasing his successful transition away from the band.

It's Only Natural — A key track from his successful 1991 solo album "Tim Finn" and a hit for his subsequent band Crowded House.

Persuasion — A notable collaboration with Richard Thompson, highlighting Finn's skill as a co-writer across genres.

After leaving Split Enz in 1984, Finn launched a solo career and later joined his brother's band Crowded House, co-writing songs for their 1991 album "Woodface". He has released over ten solo albums, including the acclaimed "Imaginary Kingdom" (2006), and formed the duo the Finn Brothers with Neil. His work has earned multiple ARIA and New Zealand Music Awards, with his songs achieving enduring radio play.

Artists with a similar artful approach to songwriting from Australasia include Crowded House which Tim Finn was a member of, sharing a knack for melodic, intelligent pop. Neil Finn is his frequent collaborator and brother, whose work carries the same melodic sophistication. Midnight Oil shares a legacy of defining the 1980s Australasian rock scene with thoughtful lyrics. Dave Dobbyn is another pillar of New Zealand music, known for crafting timeless national anthems.

Tim Finn's music maintains a strong presence on radio, featured on classic rock FM stations, alternative rock radio stations, and dedicated online rock radio streams that celebrate the history of Australasian music. Independent music radio stations frequently program his deep cuts alongside his well-known hits, recognizing his enduring influence.

Listeners can explore the extensive catalog of Tim Finn's music, from Split Enz new wave to his introspective solo work, on the radio stations featured here on onairium.com. Tune in to hear the pioneering sound of this essential New Zealand artist across our curated rock and alternative stations.