SPACE FARM REMEMBERED, AT AUDIOCULTURE (2018): Reaching for the spiritual sky

 |   |  1 min read

SPACE FARM REMEMBERED, AT AUDIOCULTURE (2018): Reaching for the spiritual sky

Although Harvey Mann and Glen Absolum were not alone in embracing the spiritual philosophy of Krishna consciousness which emerged in the early 1970s, they were among New Zealand’s most visible adherents to this path of spiritual enlightenment.

So much so that in May 1972 the New Zealand Herald reported on the phenomenon of the chanting, shaven-head Krishnas on Auckland’s Queen St and noted among the devotees in this new cult were two members of “the Auckland pop group Space Farm”.

“Spiritual food in Queen Street” was the Herald’s headline, which reported that pedestrians were baffled as the Krishnas gave away fruit and flowers. “Singing Maha Mantra – mind delivering – chants to the music of a guitar and small brass cymbals, the four Krishna devotees presented passersby with booklets, and specifically blessed fruit.”

The purpose of the exchange was to interest people in God, Mr Richard Cook, “road manager for the Space Farm group”, told the Herald. “It is our philosophy to preach about God for the benefit of everyone.”

The Krishna duo providing the music on Queen St were guitarist Mann and drummer Absolum. But Space Farm, by any stretch of the definition, was most certainly not a “pop group” . . .

To read the full article about Space Farm go here at www.audioculture.co.nz

Audioculture is the self-described Noisy Library of New Zealand Music and is an ever-expanding archive of stories, scenes, artists, clips and music. Elsewhere is proud to have some small association with it. Check it out here.

Share It

Your Comments

Relic - Nov 20, 2018

Sure be nice to have that Spacefarm album now! the common lament of those that carted their vinyl to parties in wooden beer crates in the back of a ’58 Ford V8…

post a comment

More from this section   Absolute Elsewhere articles index

DIANNE SWANN, INTERVIEWED (2021): The journey is also the destination

DIANNE SWANN, INTERVIEWED (2021): The journey is also the destination

Above our heads the speakers are playing some uninterrupted selection of classic rock: Zeppelin, Elton, Eagles and all the usual suspects. This is familiar music calculated not to offend the... > Read more

HAMMOND GAMBLE INTERVIEWED (2018): Of another career in the same town

HAMMOND GAMBLE INTERVIEWED (2018): Of another career in the same town

Trees are down, power is out everywhere, the temperature has dropped and our house is freezing. So when a conversation with Hammond Gamble is relocated to the warmth of Galbraith's Ale House in... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

ZIGGY MARLEY INTERVIEWED (1990): The son also rises

ZIGGY MARLEY INTERVIEWED (1990): The son also rises

Ziggy Marley’s throat is dry and he sounds tired. It’s nearly midnight at the Mayflower Hotel in New York and a day of photo sessions and interviews is almost behind him. But he’s... > Read more

KATCHAFIRE (2005): Slow burning their way to consciousness

KATCHAFIRE (2005): Slow burning their way to consciousness

Reggae is one of the bloodlines of New Zealand music. It is there whenever an acoustic guitar comes out on the marae or suburban barbeque, and you can hear it in the hi-tech dub incarnation in... > Read more