BUBBLING OVER
NZ Music Month will look a little different this year, with all events having to take place at a safe social distance. But there’s still lots to celebrate, so we have rounded up some of our favourite Kiwi musos to mark the occasion.
1 MARTIN PHILLIPPS, THE CHILLS
What does NZMM mean to you? I lived through a time when NZ music was generally treated by radio, TV and the media as some sort of novelty and, therefore, the general public knew next to nothing about the brave people actively trying to create something special that truly mirrored our own isolated identity. I find it wonderful to see our nation’s music now treated as a natural part of who we are, and to still have a special month where people are reminded of that and are also exposed to wonderful local artists they may not have known about. Who should we be listening to? I’m finding that many women artists are exploring music more boldly and reaching me personally with something that seems more heartfelt and honest. Some of them have had serious career knock-backs by the lockdown at a crucial stage in their careers, and I hope to see Nadia Reid, Hollie Fullbrook, Reb Fountain, Tami Neilson, Aldous Harding and many others emerge from this time as even stronger artists than they were before. And, of course, I can’t wait to hear what Lorde has made of all this!
What’s your classic NZ album? The original 1975 Mental Notes album from Split Enz captured the strangeness and surreal beauty of this land and its people in a way that was brave and largely unique. From its almost cinematic production through to its cover art, it remains a work of art that all New Zealanders should be proud of.
2 TAMI NEILSON
What does NZMM mean to you? I’ve always loved NZMM. It shines a spotlight on our local talent in media and on radio for a few weeks, where most Kiwi artists struggle to get regular airplay. I’m hoping one of the positive things that comes out of this pandemic for musicians that have had the bottom drop out of our international touring careers, is that local mainstream radio and TV will jump on board to support local artists by playing them in high rotation, having a regular spot for live music on daily shows and syncing NZ music in their TV, advertising and film productions to help rebuild our New Zealand music scene.
It’s also my birthday month and usually wraps up with the Country Music Awards down in Gore, catching up with my country music community, so it’s a special month for me!
Who would you most like to collab with? Ladi6 and I have been talking about it for years and still need to make it happen. I have this secret dream of reworking Dolly Parton’s
Jolene, where I sing the chorus and she raps new verses about a friendship that forms between these two women who were competing over a man to one where they support each other as women and
ditch him!
What’s your most memorable live music
experience in Aotearoa? A month after I lost my dad I had to do my first show since his passing. I decided to sing a brand new song I wrote for him, If Love Were Enough. I broke down mid-song to a packed room at Leigh Sawmill. The audience cried with me and it felt like they were all holding me as I carried on sobbing the words to the end. I love my Kiwi audiences so much.
3 JONATHAN PEARCE, THE BETHS
What does NZMM mean to you? It brings everyone together to acknowledge that what we create in this country is special. Our lives are enriched by our local artists in a way that music from other parts of the world can never do.
What’s your most memorable live music
experience in Aotearoa? The genuine drama and danger of The Mint Chicks lastever show. I can’t remember how many songs they played before something set Kody [Nielson, vocals] off. Someone said Ruban [Neilson, guitar] ran out the back way and didn’t look good. I felt that night was the end for my favourite band. The Mint Chicks have unfinished business.
4 PETER URLICH, TH’ DUDES
What does NZMM mean to you? It doesn’t have a lot of
relevance for me because I think it should be NZ Music Year. It came about when our own music wasn’t getting enough attention but now I think Kiwis really want and love their own music.
Who should we be listening to? Everyone should be listening to whatever turns them on. But I’m really enjoying Benee’s vibe right now.
Who would you most like to collab with?
I’ve never thought about that. Maybe Ella Yelich-O’Connor and I could come up with something crazy, something Bohemian Rhapsodisian.
What’s your most memorable live music
experience in Aotearoa? Th’ Dudes playing at our induction into the Hall of Fame at last year’s Music Awards was something I’ll never forget. It was 40 years in the making and my wife and sons were right up front.
5 STAN WALKER
What does NZMM mean to you? Every month should be NZ Music Month! Our stories are so important to our identity and what makes us unique.
Who should we be listening to? I am deeply proud that the world is listening to Benee, she’s proof we make the best.
What’s your most memorable live music experience in Aotearoa? The You Are Us Christchurch concert. In the darkest moments, music can start to bring a light.
What’s your classic NZ album
I’m cheating!
Albums from Dave Dobbyn, Che Fu, Bic Runga, Aaradhna and Fat Freddy’s Drop. If you had eight children, could you love one the most?
6 TROY KINGI
What does NZMM mean to you? A lot of people release albums around then so it’s a good chance for me to discover and support new NZ artists.
What’s your classic NZ album? Based on a True Story by Fat Freddy’s Drop. Bangers from start to finish. When I was dive instructing we had it on MiniDisc stuck in the stereo. It become part of our DNA.
Who would you most like to collab with? Connan Mockasin. He seems like he’d be the most interesting guy in the room.
What’s your most memorable live music experience in Aotearoa? Opening for Trinity Roots at the Leigh Sawmill many moons ago. No one knew who the hell I was yet, the whole place was raging — plus Warren [Maxwell, vocals, guitar] is my hero.
7 CHURCH & AP
Who would you most like to collab with? Benee. We love her music.
What’s your most memorable live music experience in Aotearoa? We performed a small gig at The 312 Hub when Ready Or Not dropped to no more than 100 people. But that performance is unmatched. It highlighted a whole culture and gave us our first experience of what was to come.
• Church & AP are finalists at the Pacific Music Awards where they lead the pack with four nominations. For full nominations list visit nzherald.co.nz
8 JESSB
What does NZMM mean to you? Music Month is cool because it’s a chance to shine extra light on the talent and exciting music coming out of our country.
Who would you most like to collab with? I think me and Benee could do something pretty cool. What’s your most memorable live music experience in Aotearoa? Performing at Splore Festival this year. I was on at 10pm, which felt like a headline slot. I’ve loved Splore as a festival, both as a performer and attendee, so it was amazing to go from standing in the crowd three years prior to being on stage and having that moment.
9 ANNABEL LIDDELL, MISS JUNE
What does NZMM mean to you? It means the celebration of the best music on the planet. Who should we be listening to? Che Fu because we all need to relax and have good vibes in the house.
Who would you most like to collab with? I’d like to sing a hook for Savage. Or do a duet with Shayne Carter.
What’s your classic NZ album? Crowded House’s self titled album from 1986. So many classic bangers.
10 REB FOUNTAIN
What does NZMM mean to you? This year musicians are not only out of pocket due to the impact of Covid-19, but have in many ways lost a sense of purpose and meaning. Live performance, touring and audiences are the lifeblood of a musician’s identity, as are the places and spaces we congregate to work with industry folk to put on shows. In lieu of no live performances, I’ll be doing my best to support fellow musicians, venues and crew around the country, with a focus on sending aroha and creating new ways of doing the work we love; work that is so much a part of who we are.
What’s your most memorable live music experience in Aotearoa? I went on a date to see Straitjacket Fits at the Carlton in Christchurch when I was 16 ... totally underage. I’d never seen anything like it. They were amazing. The date wasn’t so hot ...
11 MELODOWNZ
What does NZMM mean to you? Every month’s NZ music month for me, but it’s a great opportunity for the rest of NZ to get on board and support home-grown music.
Who should we be listening to? There’s this young king called Ranui Mars, he’s a hood poet. I would say he’s the West Auckland Tupac, telling stories that are close to home and a voice for the unheard youth.
What’s your most memorable live music experience in Aotearoa? Performing in Christchurch last year to support the people affected by the mosque shootings, it was a special moment in history, all NZ music legends and artists on one stage in front of 20,000 people. A lot of unity and love that night.
12 LOUIS BAKER
Who would you most like to collab with? Che Fu. I’ve always been a big fan, and he’s the nicest dude!
What’s your most memorable live music experience in Aotearoa? Playing Blue Smoke at the opening of Te Rau Aroha Museum, in Waitangi. It was a moving moment and meant a lot to our family. My father and I went along to honour my grandfather, Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Baker DSO, and all the men and whanau of the 28th Maori Battalion.
13 HOLLIE FULLBROOK, TINY RUINS
What does NZMM mean to you? It may affect the wider industry in more tangible ways than individual artists or bands. I think NZMM’s aim has been to also encourage more local music on the airwaves. It’d be nice if that encouraged more focus year- round. Compared to Australia for instance, we have very low levels of local music played on our radio stations.
What’s your classic NZ album? Bic Runga’s Drive. I would’ve been 12 when it came out. I’d just started playing guitar and found it really inspiring. I remember lying on the lounge floor a lot listening to it.
Who would you most like to collab with? I’m not sure. I always feel awkward thinking about that sort of thing, like saying it publicly might make it happen, or create a situation. I’ve enjoyed singing bits on a few people’s records, though.
14 JAMES WOODS, BEASTWARS
What does NZMM mean to you? This year, given the global situation, it’s more important than it’s ever been before. We need to support local businesses, bands and musicians.
What’s your classic NZ album? It’s a toss up between Skeptics III and Boodle Boodle Boodle by The Clean. I’ll say Boodle because I think it’s slightly more quintessentially Noo Zullund.
Who would you most like to collab with? Delaney Davidson, the darkness in his song writing and voice would go so well with our style. And he’s a top bloke.
What’s your most memorable live music experience in Aotearoa? The reunion show we played in Wellington after our two-year hiatus. I was so nervous. We didn’t know if we still had it. The roar from the crowd when we walked on was so humbling and wonderful.
15 THEIA
What does NZMM mean to you? A chance to reflect and celebrate the incredible talent — past and present — in Aotearoa. It’s more poignant this year because the industry has been hit so hard.
What’s your classic NZ album? Dennis Marsh’s Maori Songbook. It reminds me of my kui ( grandmother). We played this CD on repeat, singing along in the car. Every song’s a classic that I’ve grown up with at parties and kapa haka. It’s very special to me.
16 NAIL, DEVILSKIN
What does NZMM mean to you? It’s a celebration and an opportunity for more Kiwi bands to get their music recognised. We’re fiercely proud of being Kiwis and it’s great the industry stands up and wants to shout about Kiwi music. Long may it continue.
What’s your most memorable live music experience in Aotearoa? Performing a sold-out show with Disturbed at Spark Arena was unbelievable. We found out just before going on stage that our album Be Like the River had charted at No.1 on the Official Album Chart. Playing alongside a band like Disturbed with our album on top of the charts was a buzz!
What’s your classic NZ album? The Datsuns by The Datsuns. Rock bands here struggle — with the exception of a select few — and often don’t get the recognition they deserve. They had the biggest record companies running after them and it was great to see. It showed us what could be achieved. It certainly gave me motivation.
17 LUKE BUDA, THE PHOENIX FOUNDATION
What does NZMM mean to you? It’s really hard to make a living in the arts in New Zealand so I welcome any opportunity to remind people about the local produce available at their local produce markets.
Who would you most like to collab with? In all honesty, Wing. But I don’t know if I would be able to handle her power and majesty.
What’s your classic New Zealand album? Fabulous/Arabia’s Unlimited Buffet. This is one of my most listened to albums of all time. It’s absolutely 100 per cent disgustingly enjoyable from start to end.
18 SACHI
What does NZMM mean to you? It’s a reason to be thinking about and listening to NZ artists, to appreciate existing favourites or take time to discover something new.
Who would you most like to collab with? I’d really like to do something with Connan Mockasin because he gets really wacky live. We would do some bizarre shit.
What’s your classic NZ album? Lorde’s Pure Heroine because it defined the current era of NZ music and paved the way for so many of us to have careers.
19 LILY WEST, MERMAIDENS
What does NZMM mean to you? Heritage. NZMM instantly signals the black tee with iconic white circles my dad got me. So much of the NZ music I love was introduced by my family — car trips spent listening to Fur Patrol, Bic Runga and dad’s Flying Nun albums. There’s pride and trust each time my dad hands over a record from his collection to mine. Still waiting on that original Toy Love pressing though ...
20 L. A.B.
What does NZMM mean to you? It’s special because it shines a light on home-grown music. This year it’s more important than ever with the current climate. Support local!
Who should we be listening to? Benee, she has her own sound and swag. What’s your classic NZ album? Crowded House’s Temple of a Low Man was stuck in the car on repeat as a young fella.
Who would you most like to collab with? Dave Dobbyn. Why? Because he’s Dave Dobbyn!