I am, as of recently, getting my groove on. That is that I’m staying out of the house more in the evenings and trying to get to grips with HOW MUCH more live music there is over this way. With the likes of The Sherwood (Queenstown) and Gin and Raspberry (Wanaka) we are lucky to be able to get some of the newest top talent over this side of the hill. Or Island. Or country. If only Lionel Ritchie would visit Queenstown…….
Anyway I digress. Catch up with Lips and Anna Coddington live at Gin and Raspberry in Wanaka on September 20th. Playing back catalogues and unheard of material this group joined forces to pack a punch in their upcoming tour. I sent some Q&A to them and here are their answers. Enjoy!
Anna
1. What draws you to the South Island and in particular to this neck of the woods? (Wanaka, Queenstown)
Your neck of the woods is one of the most beautiful in the world. I have a real thing for lakes and there are so many good ones down there! Also, I have had so many good shows in QT and Wanaka. The audience is always so lovely and receptive! A great part of planet earth with great human inhabitants.
2. Gig you wished you could have been to in the past and why?
Michael Jackson. I have pretty much always been a massive fan of MJ since I was a little kid but I just had one brief period in my early teens where I got into grunge music and foolishly decided he was uncool. This happened to be when he came to NZ. I’m a fool!
3. Era of music that you would like to see re-invent itself and return?
What a great question! When I first got in to writing and playing my own music there were a lot of 90s pop-rock (for lack of a better term) bands around like Weezer (their early good stuff), The Wannadies, The Cardigans, Luscious Jackson- bands with great melodies but lots of edge. I’d love to see a modern version of this come to life right about now. Great melodies and lyrics and loud guitars.
4. Favourite thing to do in the Queenstown-Lakes area when you’re not rocking out!
Swim in the lakes in summertime. That water is life-affirming.
5. Up and coming stuff for the world to know about.
The tour with Lips obviously! And my third album which will be out in the first half of next year. We will be road testing some of the new material in these shows!
6. Why should the world listen to New Zealand music? What is different about it? Can it be on the world’s stage?
It already is on the world’s stage. I feel like the world’s stage these days is just the internet and we’re all on there. It’s hard to cut through the noise but when you do and someone picks up on your music and claims it as theirs it’s a cool connection. As for what’s different about NZ music- I think it has reached a place where “NZ Music” can’t just be grouped together under that banner anymore. Within that category is a massively varied selection of stuff. I do think though that NZ artists have a way of honing their own sound without so much influence from what’s “current” in the mainstream worldwide. Our isolation allows us to keep wiling away at what we’re doing without worrying too much about what’s happening in bigger markets. Maybe?! Ha. Who knows. Just listen to it it’s good.
Lips
- What draws you to the South Island and in particular to this neck of the woods? (Wanaka, Queenstown)
Steph: We played in Wanaka in April as part of the Festival of Colour and had a great show and so were keen to come back. It’s such a beautiful part of the country.
Fen: Mostly the majesty. Some pretty sweet majesty down there.
2. Gig you wished you could have been to in the past and why?
Steph: Whitney Houston! Her voice is so amazing. Plus I love those huge power ballads with soaring key changes.
Fen: I do wish I’d seen Nirvana. Preferably on a bill with Whitney Houston.
3. Era of music that you would like to see re-invent itself and return?
Steph: Victorian era piano in the parlour. Someone always got up to play a little Liszt while the rest of the guests continued their card game, that’s so damn cool.
Fen: We just watched Singing in the Rain last night for the first time. I want more song-and-dance business like that in my life.
4. Favourite thing to do in the Queenstown-Lakes area when you’re not rocking out!
Steph: I would like a local to take me exploring.
Fen: Ridiculous question, as I am never not rocking out.
5. Up and coming stuff for the world to know about.
Steph: We just released a new song “Traces of Teddy” with a cool video, check it out! More songs to follow!
Fen: Really looking forward to this new NZ flag I keep hearing so much about.
6. Why should the world listen to New Zealand music? What is different about it? Can it be on the world’s stage?
Steph: They do, and it is already!
Fen: I like that almost all the NZ music I’ve heard seems to be permeated by at least a base level of soul. Of course, I’m from America, where we exclusively listen to Nickelback.
