They're gonna make me a Bic star

By Russell Baillie

Bic's back. After a year either on the road in Australia, Europe and America or living in New York, New Zealand music's golden girl - Bic Runga - is home to play.

Between band practices there was just time enough for a quick chat and progress report:

So 1998 has been a groundwork sort of thing?

It's mostly been a setup for the future. It's just a first record for me. I've still got another three to do with this record label at least, so it's really just a case of introducing myself to the market, if you want to use record company-speak.

How hard is it? Or is it a case of, it's something you've always wanted to do and now you're getting to do it?

I think it's really hard work. I didn't realise how hard the job was. It's one thing to be busy, but to not be stimulated by the busy-ness is kind of taxing. It's basically much of the same thing over and over again, which is not conducive to writing songs, which is something you are expected to do at the same time.

Does your record company have difficulty explaining you?

The difficulty is in making yet another artist stand out from the 600-odd records that get released every Tuesday in America alone. As far as explaining Bic Runga goes - I don't really know that there's much to explain. But a record release in America does get lost in the hordes of stuff that is coming out at the moment.

How about the difficulty of explaining yourself to people who speak a different language?

When your music depends so heavily on lyrics it's hard to perform in countries where English is a second language. But I'd have to say the best tour that I've done in the last year would have been the Neil Finn support in Germany, which is unusual. But then Neil Finn draws a certain type of crowd.

Other highlights?

Playing the Lilith Fair tour, which was the biggest grossing tour of 98. So that was a big bill to be on for me. The thing is with the Lilith Fair, it's an all-women's tour. There are just no egos on this festival. As much as my status on this tour was about as low as it could go - as in the acoustic stage early in the afternoon or in the early evening - the bigger artists would invite all the baby artists on the stage together at the end of the evening and sing a song together. We'd also share a press conference so you always felt like part of a tour.

Go on, drop some names ...

I sang with Natalie Merchant, Bonnie Raitt, Sarah McLachlan, Emmylou Harris, Luscious Jackson.

And the audiences?

Predominantly female and excitable - the sort of thing men should really get along to.

I imagine with Lilith Fair, instead of throwing TV sets out the hotel windows the musicians leave herbal teas for the staff?

Exactly. Very passive tour, that one. It's very carey-sharey but it's totally genuine, which is even more amusing.

Ever been hugged so much in your life?

Never. No.

In all the interviews you've done, face any interesting questions about home?

Yeah, the traditional sheep-type questions. They're still not over it yet. They're still laughing about it.

So, written any songs recently?

No, but I feel them coming on. Just being home and having time to process is the best thing for songwriting.

What are you thinking as far as the next album goes?


This year I've been fiercely turned off by guitar music, which is a grim realisation when you are a guitarist. I'm going to have to go and learn another instrument ...

... like the bagpipes ...

Exactly. Something like that ...

... which is a grim realisation when you are a singer ...

Ha, ha, that's really funny. No, I can hear these noises in my head, but as far as I know they are not instruments I have heard of before. It's a case of trying to figure out how to make these noises.

How has all the playing you've done recently affected your performing?

Most gigs I've done in the past in New Zealand, I've just been a blithering mess. So I think for the first time in my life I am actually performing, which I always felt awkward doing. I still feel awkward doing it, but I can pretend a lot better now - oh dear.

What was your weirdest gig?

Playing to a radio station during their tea break while they were eating birthday cake. That was in St Louis.

Er, why did you do that?

I have no idea. I am not sure at all. It's the type of thing you have to try and do to be played on the radio in the States, I guess.

So you're a big hit in St Louis now?

At birthday parties. You can hire me for your kids' birthdays ...

And the best gig?

It was an acoustic show in London to a bunch of expats. Oh dear, that's sad, isn't it?

Home girl, huh? How does the homesickness manifest itself?

It manifests itself in huge phone bills.

How much?

Thousands a month.

So, 1998 in summary?

I think as far as groundwork goes, this year was a success. The record has sold a little bit and the few fans I gathered around the States are on the diehard side -- and a few diehard fans is better than lots of really-not-fans-at-all type fans.

And 1999?

I think this will be a good year. I can't wait to make another record. That will be good for my own head and Sony America haven't given up on Sway as a single yet - they're relaunching it. All that groundwork has been done. It's just a case of working a little bit harder and some luck.

Anyone booked for next New Year's Eve?

This year? Oh, it's the big one, isn't it? I'll definitely take a gig that night.

Who: Bic Runga

Where: Blue Stage, Big Day Out, Ericsson Stadium

When: Next Friday, 5 pm