Whanganui district councillor Charlotte Melser dips toes back into music with songwriting win

Charlotte Melser wrote the song 10 years ago. Photo / Rochelle Te Kaho

The winner of Whanganui Musicians Club’s songwriters competition is making a return to music after several years off.

Charlotte Melser took out first place this year with The Heart of Miss Black, a 10-year-old song inspired by her best friend.

“I actually got a bit of a creative block when I built the Citadel [Cafe] because it took up every corner of my brain and work week,” she said.

“Then I went straight into having twin babies. The birth happened five days after I sold the Citadel.

“It’s only over the last year that I’ve started getting back into songwriting and creating music.”

She is currently serving as a Whanganui district councillor.

All 16 finalists played on stage at the musicians’ club with a house band made up of John Keating, Denis Troufleau, Eneti Waretini, Rohan Goodsir and Adam Brazeau.

Melser said it was the first time she had played the song with a full band.

“It really brought the song to life.

“Entering the competition was a bit late notice, but it was good timing because a couple of weeks beforehand, I had decided that I needed to record all my originals before my voice changes too much with age.

“Adulting gets in the way, but every time I perform I really love it. It’s still a really important part of my life, it’s just not quite as frequent.”

First place won her recording time at The Stomach in Palmerston North thanks to funding from the Creative Communities Scheme.

Second place went to Bethany Coleman, with Timon Maxey claiming bronze.

Musicians Club spokesperson Annie Keating said any of the finalists could have won on the night.

“There was a full house and everybody was really supportive of each other. It’s one of those amazing Whanganui things.

“Charlotte had beautiful lyrics and a beautiful melody. The judges had a hard job, but they got there in the end.”

The house band did an amazing job, Keating said.

Every artist had 45 minutes of rehearsals with the musicians before the big night.

“They [the band] spent all week listening and making notes on their chord sheets.

“From the first song of rehearsal, they just looked at each other and just went for it to give the artists what they wanted.”