UK indie label director picks Pixx
Rmike.alexander@fairfaxmedia.co.nz THE annual Going Global Music Summit is set for Roundhead Studios in Auckland on September 1 and 2 and will feature some of the makers and shakers of the music industry.
Guest speakers include Lars Brandle from United States industry bible Billboard, Andrew Jervis, chief curator at Bandcamp, the direct-to-fan change-makers, and Jane Abernethy, director of A&R at independent label 4AD.
Founded in 1980, 4AD is a highly regarded British independent record label renowned for its groundbreaking signings, including Bauhaus, Cocteau Twins, The Pixies, The Breeders, The National and more recently New Zealand’s Aldous Harding.
Abernethy shares more about herself: What were you listening to, at 14, when you were deadset on working at a record label?
I was mainly listening to Bjork, Madonna & Joni Mitchell as well as some Britpop and American Indie back then. If you could pick one band you are working with, what would your pitch be to New Zealanders?
It’s hard to choose but I think Kiwis would really love Pixx, who is a new young British artist I am working with. It’s been said that she’s updating the 4AD ethereal sound, her music is really dreamy and she’s a brilliant lyricist. What five songs would best depict the soundtrack to your day, today?
Fix Up, Look Sharp – Dizzee Rascal, Cranes In The Sky – Solange, Lost In Music – Sister Sledge, Come on Home – Lijadu Sisters, Hey Moon – Holly Nillson. What is your favourite musicassociated movie, and why?
A documentary called the Great Hip-Hop Hoax – it’s about these two rappers who are Scottish but pretend to be American to get gigs because noone would take them seriously. They end up being signed to a major label and have to lie every day about their origins and fake US accents. What is the craziest music industry experience you’ve had?
I’m not a crazy girl really and the longer you work in music the less crazy everything seems. I went on a business trip to Ibiza for two days once and I’ve seen Daft Punk without their helmets on. Ha ha. Have you ever been to New Zealand? If no, what are you expecting? If yes, what was the best part?
This will be my first time in New Zealand. It seems like nature is really breathtaking. I’m hoping I get to see some of it. My dream would be to swim in the blue pools of the South Island. What New Zealand bands are you listening to?
Aldous Harding and everything on Flying Nun as well as Flight of the Conchords, who I saw at the Edinburgh fringe in 2003 and have loved ever since. What is your favourite longhaul aeroplane activity?
I love listening to podcasts and watching documentaries. The Australian podcast Starving Artist is my new favourite. What one song represents New Zealand, to you?
Pink Frost – The Chills. Flat white, long black or fluffy?
Flat white but make it a decaf as I’m a tea drinker really.