After more than 25 years of crafting heartfelt songs, Shady Wade is finally taking the leap into the spotlight with his debut single, Damaged Goods, releasing on April 11th, 2025. The singer-songwriter’s journey, long marked by a prolific output of original music, is now reaching its culmination, with Shady Wade now taking the step from performing artist to recording artist.
At 42, Shady Wade is proving that it's never too late to pursue your dreams. His decision to release Damaged Goods comes after years of honing his craft and performing on the live circuit. He first developed his stage presence while living in rural Japan from 2007 to 2010, where he played small gigs and gained experience. He continued to build his presence in Christchurch’s vibrant open mic scene, even running his own Friday night open mic throughout 2019. It was also in 2019 that Shady Wade took his music and passion for rugby back to Japan, touring across the country with intimate gigs in Kobe, Fukuoka, Akita, and Tokyo—all while attending Rugby World Cup matches.
With the support of the Toi Ōtautahi Incubator Mentorship Programme, Shady Wade has partnered with renowned mentors and producers Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers, The Feelers, Opshop) and Sam Trevethick (Shapeshifter) to bring Damaged Goods to life. Together, they selected the track from his extensive catalogue, a song that explores emotional vulnerability and the walls we build after heartbreak. With lyrics like "You want to know it all, Comparing me to past mistakes, I hide behind my walls, Because I’ve been burned before, We're damaged goods for sure," the song speaks to anyone who’s been reluctant to open up after past emotional trauma.
To complement the powerful message in the song, Shady Wade teamed up with Neato Productions for the music video, using the symbolism of broken, rundown brick walls and wooden slats behind SOLE Music Academy to convey the emotional walls depicted in the song. The visual imagery encapsulates the essence of the track—a raw, honest look at the hesitance to let love in due to past pain.
As Shady Wade continues his momentum, he's already recording additional songs with Lyttelton-based producer Flynn Adamson (LYTTEL Studios) for release later this year, working towards a debut album that will showcase his unique blend of folk and rock influences.
This story is a testament to perseverance and artistry. It’s about a musician who, after years of building his craft and his name on the live circuit, is finally ready to share his voice and story with the world.