We always hear about the "Dunedin sound", we're often reminded about the great talent that has come out of Christchurch, and Wellington has always had the cool factor.
So where does that leave Auckland in being considered a city that has inspired great songs?
I've tried in the past to put local things in my songs, but it always seems to have that nerd factor. It doesn't sound cool to sing "Auckland, Auckland" like it does for, say, "Louisiana" or "Albuquerque". Somehow Don [McGlashan] has made it his own but the rest of us are still figuring out how to do that and not cringe. Ella [Lorde] could have sung "We live in cities, you'll never hear their names, we're too embarrassed cos it sounds so lame!" It's a bit like the Kiwi accent in hip-hop. It's taken a long time to get comfortable with it. It is happening though and Don is one of those dragging us in that direction.
What will the night reveal about you as a songwriter?
I guess, reluctantly, that I'm neither John Lennon nor Beyonce. Just another Little Kiwi Trier. I'm in pretty flash company though - Shayne, Anika and Don are all classic Kiwi mega-hit writers and it should be a great smorgasbord of stories and other juicy gossip surrounding the songs. I tend to write songs that are a bit emotionally naked. So I'm debating whether to say the inevitably exposing and embarrassing things that relate to these songs. There are quite a few in my scandalous little back catalogue.
Is songwriting a craft that can be taught or is it an instinct you're born with?
Yes and yes. Anyone can write a song. It's as easy and as hard as you want it to be. But I don't think anyone could write She Speeds. Oh, hang on, someone did. Wow, that must have been talent and hard work.
What was the shortest time in which you ever wrote a song?
Eight minutes. Mac Macaskill and I had a race to write a song and mine was Sad Surf Scenario. I was like "Finished!" and he was like "What the? That's only eight minutes".
It's on the first Voom album Now I Am Me. I had had a dream the night before about surfing a tidal wave and how great it was until I saw all the people dying as it swept inland over houses. I was still on the wave when I wrote it.
And the longest?
The longest might be King Kong.
I slaved over that one day after day, for months, with a thesaurus after I read that Lynley Dodd spent ages on the words of her Hairy Maclary books. Really simple, concise, rhythmic words are the hardest to get right. But I got there in the end through sheer brain strain. I was surprised how I could write a good song using hard work and discipline.
If there was one song you wish you had written, what would it be?
So many answers to this one - Surf's Up by Brian Wilson, Somewhere Over The Rainbow, Pokarekare Ana. Sorry that's three. I love great melody songs.
What are the top five most listened to songs in your iTunes library?
David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust (370 times)
Taylor Swift - Red (223)
Atmosphere - Your Glass House (218)
Buzz - My Brain Is Sore (205)
Velvet Underground - Sunday Morning (199)
Hey, all the kids have been on my computer, by the looks. Sophie loves Bowie, Grace loves Taylor Swift and Nic loves the rapper Atmosphere.
I listen over and over to my own songs. And everybody loves Lou Reed, of course.
The night is being held at the Q Theatre so you'll have the audience around you. Does that make for better interaction with the crowd?
Definitely. At venues like the King's Arms a lot of bands complain that audiences stand back from the stage in what they call the "circle of fear" and no one wants to walk right up to the stage on their own and dance. This way, we'll be right in the circle and we can dance with you if you're all alone.
In House - Songs and Conversations is being held at the Q Theatre in Auckland on April 16. Proceeds from the night will go to the New Zealand Music Foundation. Tickets are available from Q Theatre, 305 Queen St, Auckland, qtheatre.co.nz
