About GRAFIA:

"Grafia's Story. "We Ain't Waiting!"

Grafia was originally an acronym for "Get Right Away From It All", but we recently altered it to stand for “Grateful For It All.” It is also a group of musicians and artists, photographers, video/film makers, songwriters and poets who love to express themselves collectively which results in the band's songs being written, played and illustrated. This group so far has had about fifteen contributors and they have released one recording of eight original songs and are completing the production of four more songs, two originals and two re-workings of songs from their first album “Ultimately Free”. It's more than ten years since they started playing songs, organising performances and concerts. A lot of fun has been had and their ability to entertain and play music that is both listenable to and exciting is by now obvious.

This is due to the devotion of key group members.
Keith Austin is the musical maestro keyboardist who also fronts on bass, piano accordion and backing vocals. Beside Keith, with his serious musical ability, is Rob Maunsell (Dr Rob), who has come of age as lead singer and rhythm guitarist. He also enjoys playing harmonica/blues harp and does this tastefully, mostly at appropriate times, during songs that are blues or more rock inspired. Filling out the rhythmic substance of the band are Mark Bradley on drums helped out by Eddie or Franklin. Mark is an internationally connected computer troubleshooter so they have to take their chances on him being able to join them for a gig. Over several years they have had the joyous association of guitarist collaborator Stefan Brown, who adds his infectious swing/jazz feel to the band’s sound. He plays his own songs with the band in support and interprets covers in an entertaining and magical way. Instrumentalists who join them for live shows and recording include Momo Sato, Anita Gude, Patrick Bleakley and Nick Bauke-Maunsell.
The performances Grafia has created over the last ten plus years have included many other local musicians and bands from near and further, eg. Wellington, Palmerston North, Whanganui, Auckland, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Dunedin and London. Together with their graphic designer, photographer and videographer friend, A J Hunter, who provides the gamut of artistic needs from poster design, photography, video imagery, screen presentations and website development, a whole new world of music, imagery and performance/entertainment has come to life.




Grafia is creating and playing an inspiring selection of uplifting and danceable to tunes. Currently their regular haunt is Madisions on First St. In Masterton where they perform as “thank Grafia it’s Friday,” on the third Friday of the month. Be sure to check them out on Spotify, You Tube, Wai TV and iTunes, or at a local show in their home region, the Wairarapa.

Grafia is available for private functions and will adapt their line-up and set-list to suit any occasion.

Debut Album: Ultimately Free