Newsletter Issue #542: 01 Aug 2021
Guest Editorial: Martina Brito
Kia ora tatou and welcome to this months newsletter!
This month's editorial is brought to you all the way from California, by the amazing and dedicated Martina Brito! I have no doubt some of you may be acquainted already, and for those of you who aren't, you're about to be!
Kia Ora NZ fam,
Many have asked how this native SoCal punker found the wonderful people I consider family within the New Zealand music community. That question is usually followed by “Hey where in NZ do you live? Hope we can meet up soon to discuss music.” And I have to politely decline their invite as I’m nowhere near the coolest people I love.
The Kiwis in my life since 2010 are considered family whether we’ve met in person or not. I love all in my Kiwi bro crew.
How the hell did it start? Twitter. Unrelated yet intertwined with music, as is the story of my life. It started with phenomena occurring while playing Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures. Something like “Hey that just happened to me too.” Instantly, a friendship between my Wellywood Mate at the time, (now known as my Dick Older Brother) suggesting I listen to Die! Die! Die!’s Sideways Here We Come. Holy hell it was instant love at first listen. I followed the guys on social media, I chatted to them. My bro sent me into all things classic Flying Nun Records, Radio Active FM, and from the non the rest is history.I jumped into ChCh music a few months before the February 22, 2011 earthquake, just catching I Could Care Less by Ipswich on Radio Active while working and doing coursework at my alma mater CSU, Bakersfield. Then Muzai Records, then Melted Ice Cream. Years later Brian Feary the best record executive and producer interviewed me for Cheap Thrills. 4zzz’s NZ Music Show interviewed me too. I made best friends along the way, it happened so fast somehow, so surreal.
“Is this even happening? Pinch me I’m dreaming,” I’d say to myself while later standing in front of Die! Die! Die!, The Bats, David Kilgour and the rest of The Heavy Eights. Finally meeting Steven Marr of Ipswich/Doprah in person made me cry because I didn’t think I’d get to meet him and Jonty who is one of my favourite ChCh drummers. We snapped a picture.
“You know who we should send this to, Jamie Larson [Ipswich’s drummer],” my little bro Steven suggested. I held my Kiwi Little Brother’s durries and hugged the guys tightly.
I met Mike of The Shifting Sands twice. The second time around I received an autographed vinyl copy of Cosmic Radio Station. I asked why the guys gifted me their record when I could buy it.“Because you’re awesome,” Mike replied in that isn’t-it-clear-we-like-you tone. Or something like that.
Tom Bell and I jammed out to Plague Vendor — affectionately referred to as Die! Die! Die!’s noisy prick American cousins. Those Die! Boys would’ve been signed onto Epitaph the same year we got Plague Vendor on the label. Man, I almost made it happen.
Seeing
The Chills live here in LA at our Regent Theatre was way better than any ride or magical experience I’ve ever had at Disneyland. I am as atheist, non-believer as we
get, jamming on Bad Religion since age ten during their Recipe For Hate era. But somehow when it comes to my Kiwi family, when I don’t think I can take my happy self to gigs in LA due to disabilities, something in the universe aligns and out of the blue I am offered to be driven to and from my home. Or rad legends like Kiki, Jason, Penny, Bria, and Bernard offer to swing by and have some breakfast at Denny’s here in the Antelope Valley.
My way back Wellywood/Dick Older Brother Dr. Steve visits and we talk all NZ music in person just as we’ve done since 2010. We may not be able to chat as much but I feel the love between all in my Kiwi family. My late mom loved the ones who’ve visited me, loved to spoil you guys with delicious Mexican food I grew up eating, I know my late brother would’ve loved every single one of you. He is the reason I call my crew my brothers and sisters; I give the same love to my Kiwi family as I did to him. Life has not been gentle to me recently and my Kiwi family has provided me with so much love and support. This piece is a homage to you.
Keep sending me your music I am lifted up by it. I’ll always be here to help any way I can. Yeah I’ll send it to SRN, labels, anywhere. “My life is a song, a short melody harmonizing with reality.”
Thanks, New Zealand on Air.
Martina Brito
- BadReligionTina
Marianne Leigh is an acoustic indie-pop artist writing catchy tunes about genuine human emotions and experiences. She speaks to the soul with her meaningful lyrics and connects to listeners through her narrative songwriting style. Marianne recently spoke to Muzic.net.nz about dealing with nerves, what inspires here and more:
Have you got any tips for dealing with nerves before a gig?
I used to be terrified performing. I remember walking on stage when I was 12 years old, about to do a little show at my school, when I freaked out, put the mic down and walked off stage. That night was significant to me. I knew I couldn't keep being afraid; how could I be a musician if I couldn't sing my songs?
There isn't a cure for it, except to keep doing it. After that show I began playing at open mic nights all around the city to get rid of those fears. Now I feel more excited about shows!
How
do you balance your music with other obligations; family, job etc.?
Honestly, I'm not too sure how I find the time to balance music with the rest of my life! I just prioritise it - if I'm not doing homework or working, there's nothing else I'd rather do. There's always something I find myself to do for my music career, I don't feel fulfilled without checking off those 'to-do' lists!
Where do you get your inspiration to create music from?
I get inspired to create music by the world around me. Most of the time I've been on the bus home from school, watching the world go by and listening to my favourite songs when I get inspired. When I'm alone with my thoughts and able to breathe and think, creativity flows.
What has been your most memorable show to date?
I have a feeling my first single release show is going to be my most memorable show!
What rumour would you like to start about yourself?
I love when people speculate who I write my songs about! It's so cool that people take time out of their day to analyse my songs - so I encourage it.
Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?
My advice to aspiring musicians is to be obsessed with music and to truly love your craft. The journey to your dream career is a difficult one, and there are many times when you wonder how you can keep going. If you create art that is authentic to you and that you love, even if no one heard it, your passions will guide you to where you're meant to be. I firmly believe that with a hard work ethic and a genuine passion, you can achieve anything.
Marianne Leigh on Muzic.net.nz
Catch Marianne at Dead Witch in Auckland on 6 August - more info here
Another new interview series making its mark on Muzic.net.nz is Background Noise. Brought to us from Gaby Ivanov-Giraldo, in issue 001 Gaby talks to musician extraordinaire Danny McCrum from Noise Play.
I'd like to base this interview on a theme of trust, friends, and the meaning of music. What top three things can you list that make you trust or distrust humans in the music world?
I’ve heard the music industry described as the Wild West which has always made sense to me. We don’t have the basics, like minimum wage and holiday pay, handshake deals are most common, and every type of agenda, motive and range of ethics is included. It’s an unregulated industry with no barrier to entry, so it’s full of every type of character. It’s a microcosm of the big bad world, all piled into a struggling industry. So, I don’t think it’s about trust or lack thereof, I think it’s just about being realistic and making smart decisions.
Why is music so important to you?
I’m sure most of us have a similar answer. Music was always the thing that lit me up, that possessed me, that I couldn’t get enough of. It was a great release and an escape from unhappy circumstances. It gave me a way out, an identity, a path to follow and it’s given me a career. Through music I’ve had some of the greatest experiences of my life, I’ve found purpose and adventure, I’ve travelled all over the country and overseas and I’ve met many of my closest friends.
What was your plan with Noise Play, the vibe of the band and the touring plan for the band's future?
We have lots of plans for Noise Play. Right now we’re focusing on our upcoming shows, we have singles being recorded and collaborations in the works. Each of us in the band have been in the game for a while, playing professionally and doing the job. While we appreciate the work we do, Noise Play is our chance to do something really fun and creative, a chance for us to try all the things we don’t usually get to try. In doing so we hope to give our audiences a unique and fresh experience. For us it’s all about reengaging with what we love about music.
Read the full interview here
At the start of July, we launched our brand new video interview series - The Distorted Transmission. Delving into the depths of NZ heavier music, The Distorted Transmission is hosted by Will Stairmand (Primacy, Remote). Check out all his latest interviews at the below links:
Watch this space, because there's heaps more planned!
Exploring the world of New Zealand's Drum n Bass movement, Heavy Bassix is brought to us from Muzic.net.nz's DJ Freecell himself, Kerry Kingi
In episode 3 of Muzic.net.nz
's Heavy Bassix interview series, Zach speaks with talented violinist Hannah Fang Violin
.
For episode #120 Ekko Park drummer Nick Douch dropped in for a fun conversation about all things music. We talk bands, drummers, getting started in the business as well as Nick's journey from Te Awamutu to being a professional touring drummer and drum tutor. Nick’s a great example of how it should be done.
On episode #121 we talked to beatbox champion Steven Crooks. Since Steven discovered beatboxing a few years ago, his life has drastically changed. Finding purpose, identity and clarity through his craft, Steven quickly became the national champion and is now a co-organiser of the Beatbox Championships. On this episode we talk about Stevens life, the positive impact beatboxing had on him and his plans to continue growing the beatbox community here in New Zealand. This is an honest and inspiring chat.
Listen to our episodes on our website, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Player.FM, TuneIn
and all other good podcast apps!
DON’T GIVE UP YOUR DAY JOB - THE PODCAST
www.dontgiveupyourdayjob.co.nz
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Our next issue is going out on Sunday 5 September!
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