BAFTFT 8: Kiwi Music With a Bang

Written by Jessica George

It’s 2am on a Monday night and I am driving on a dark country road. The crisp, wet air is pouring through all of the windows, my hair is madly flying around my head giving me Medusa-like qualities and the stereo is blasting whatever musical treat the ‘Soul Town’ station on Sirius Radio has to offer. I have two drunken Kiwi musos riding with me. One’s just shot a bottle rocket out of the passenger side window and I’m pulling off the road, so we can let off more.

Thank goodness for Kiwi music. When I made my first trip to Auckland as a study abroad student, I fell head over heels in love (and passionate aural lust) with countless NZ bands - The Sneaks, Odessa, Liam Finn, The Mint Chicks, The Situations, Voom, The Ruby Suns; I couldn’t get enough. I’ve nearly missed final exams for the sake of good music, just ask my Sociology tutor at the University of Auckland.

In my group of study abroad students, I was the one out at local music gigs most weekends while they’d be having a beer at Auckland Uni bar ‘Shadows’. I’d always been a fan of music, both as a teen in South Florida, where you’d find me decked out in punk rock plaids at FUBAR, and as a college student in Boston, where most weekends I’d be at Great Scott in Allston, stealing gig posters off the walls. Something about the NZ music scene resonates deep within me - more so than any of the scenes I’d been a part of in the past. NZ music feels more unique and refreshing in comparison.
From what I learned while in New Zealand, Kiwis share a DIY attitude. They aren’t afraid of going for what they want, and if they have to create their own opportunities, they will. In America, because there are these giant, crushing celebrity presences and thousands of other bands gigging, a common attitude is, “Why should I bother if so many other people are vying for the same thing?”.

New Zealand, being a much smaller community, has its own pool of celebrities but their status is significantly less soul crushing as oftentimes, they seem more accessible. I recall watching a NZ game show on television, with minor celebrities as contestants. I’d seen this many times in the USA, with the celebrities donating their winnings to a charity.  The Kiwis were simply taking their winnings. I couldn’t help but laugh and watching this put NZ celebrity status into a new perspective.

In an environment where celebrities seem less like gods and there are far fewer people to contend with, reaching out and grabbing your dreams feels more attainable. As an outsider coming in, this environment has notably bred an organic, free-flowing creativity, fostering talented musicians. The resulting music scene is exciting to watch develop. Instead of musicians fighting for spots on tours, musicians appear to be supportive of one another. NZ musos seem to be a part of a bigger, greater musical force with interchangeable parts, sharing their skills in multiple bands and projects. And sure, as a musician living in a small country at the ass end of the world it can be frustrating.  Touring the country takes only a few weeks.  But as a music lover, to witness the music community in Auckland and in Wellington was inspiring, and I’ve tried to incorporate that DIY, supportive stance into my creative endeavours here in the States.

Bringing us back into the present.  I’m climbing up into a giant lawn chair, at least as tall as a one story house, in front of a Lawn and Garden center near the old highway, feeling a bit like Alice in Wonderland. The Kiwis are there too, scrambling around and taking photos. I take a mental snapshot of this moment and let out a heart-aching but grateful sigh for my time in Auckland. Here’s hoping I can achieve and maintain that Kiwi DIY attitude here in America.

In the next installment: Jess fails to get into graduate school in North Carolina and seeks respite in NYC and Boston. Respite being: art, beer, live music and good friends. Stay tuned.