Fashion week might be making the news but, unlike unfortunate models it seems, at least New Zealand musicians can stand on their own two feet. And hold their heads up, too.
It's been an exceptional week in local music, eight of the top 50 albums are by our own folk from the feelers debuting at No 1 to Tadpole clinging on at the bottom after almost a year on the charts. Remarkable achievements all round so take a bow feelers, Anika Moa, Garageland, Che-Fu, Salmonella Dub, Pluto, goodshirt and Tadpole.
And on Monday at the Apra Silver Scroll award (for best song of the previous year) there will be the announcement of the top 10 Kiwi songs of the past 75 years as voted for by Apra members and 100 invited guests.
So we put the two together and asked as many of those currently charting acts as we could find (some are touring, some were asleep) what song they think will get The Big Nod. And what their personal favourite Kiwi song of all time is. The results may surprise and alarm ...
James Reid, the feelers (communicate, No 1): "That's a hard call but I'd hope it would go to Dave Dobbyn for Loyal. That's a wee blinder of a song. It's an emotional song. Loyalty isn't a fashionable thing among Kiwis although I think it's there among friends and it's what binds everyone together, that's what makes friendship. Personal favourite? That's it probably, although Six Months in a Leaky Boat is pretty good, it's an all-round blinder. Don't Dream It's Over and Private Universe, too."
Jeremy Eade, Garageland (Scorpio Rising debuted at 13): "I'm pretty sure it's going to be Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House. It's a good song and has become quite iconic for a lot of people as a really well written Kiwi anthem. I think Neil's written better but, to be honest, in these lists success counts a lot. It's a combination of an incredible song with incredible success. For me there's a song by Bill Direen called Girl At Night which is a fine example of songwriting. I think it was with the Builders but it's on an EP. It's got some beautiful lyrics which are eloquently put. It's a well-written, heartfelt song."
Tiki Taane, Salmonella Dub (Inside the Dub Plates, 22): "Let me think, I'm not sure, give me a clue here. What's that one about the weather, 'You always take it with you'? Yeah, Weather With You. Or is it Four Seasons in One Day I'm thinking about? Yeah, that's the one, that's what it's going to be, it's a good tune and it's been around and everyone knows it. But I think it should be Chains by DLT and Che-Fu, it's still the only tune that really gets me. It's got a whole lot of attitude - it's dark and aggressive and got a street vibe."
Rodney Fisher, goodshirt (Good, 43): I Got You by Split Enz. It's one of their most well-known songs and most people would think of them as an all-time favourite New Zealand band. Beside You by Dave Dobbyn would be my personal favourite, it's a well-written song which is honest without sounding cheesy in the wrong way."
Renee Brennan, Tadpole (The Buddhafinger, 49): I'm pretty sure it'll be Don't Dream It's Over. It had such huge success internationally as well as being much loved at home, it's the New Zealand song that's gone out and showed the world. It speaks to hope and dreams, and we're very much a nation of dreamers and hopers. We're people who've tried to carve a niche for ourselves in a strange land and it's about never letting go of the dream. My personal favourite would probably be George by the Headless Chickens. It's a song that's deeply personal but quite bitter and dark but yet funny and that appeals to me."
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from Lifestyle
How King’s return will take pressure off Kate
Charles’ resumption of public duties will help his daughter-in-law's cancer recovery.