aotearoa in the sun baybee
004. Marlon Willams, Erny Belle, Mystery Waitress, + some light reading
It’s been warm in the sun the past week. All the more daylight to listen to garden music. For family back home entering the dark months fear not, I’ve got plenty of sad winter music too. I’m now making playlists (through BuyMusic.Club) with select tracks from the albums included in each newsletter. Listen along and support the artists you love.
Red, Red, Red by Mystery Waitress. A beautiful example of how a song can build. Makes me feel something every listen.
My Boy by Marlon Williams
Can’t get enough of My Boy from singer-songwriter Marlon Williams. Pitchfork gave it a 6.9. I’d round that up to a 10.
Easy Does It - pair with ‘Island Time’ from Venus Is Home and ‘Fiji’ from Nest
Thinking of Nina
Morning Crystals - Hey hey I’m gonna do a spin
Venus Is Home by Erny Belle
Something pleasantly spooky about this one. Plays well in the sky.
Hell Hole - Promise myself I’ll never belong to the Hell Hole
Island Time
Baby Blue - There’s a woman in my dreams. She said she’s coming to find you.
Nest by Mystery Waitress
Top notch album. My first encounter with Tessa (Mystery Waitress singer, songwriter, and guitarist) was backstage at Vogelmorn Bowling Club a month ago. I was performing that night for the first time with a new project called Sig Wilder and Friends. I was very nervous and chatting awkwardly with the band when she approached with bubbly and offered us each a glass. It was a fabulous evening and a wonderful show.
Fiji - What’s the weather gonna be like tomorrow? And what the fuck am I gonna wear?
Red, Red, Red - track of the month! on repeat.
Track 7 baby
Gardening and the Secret of Happiness
This lovely article weaves around one of my favorite books, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Is Old Music Killing New Music?
From The Honest Broker Ted Gioia - a substack I highly recommend.
Those who make a living from new music—especially that endangered species known as the working musician—have to look on these figures with fear and trembling.
September, 1918
A beautiful poem by Amy Lowell
Orbit I by Recitals
I saw Recitals a couple months back at Meow for their album release show. They created a gorgeous wall of sound with abrupt shifts into delicate spaces. Many great tracks on this album. Can’t wait for more!
Fever Dream by Tahini Bikini
Salad funk, surf rock, groove jams. Maddy Taylor takes it to the next level with the crew know as Tahini Bikini. I met Maddy in Melbourne circa 2019 when we were both working as baristas on opposite sides of town. Her apartment kitchen was covered in plastic sheeting like a scene from Dexter as she prepped her tattoo gear to ink a small shell in Ruby’s bicep. Back in Welly - it’s Tahini Bikini town. This album is one for the summer!
Oh My Darling by Michael Llewellyn
Desert flats at dusk. Tumbleweed and all. Very warm. Very beautiful. A Wellington artist to keep an eye on.
Happy Halloween. Leave an album you love in the comments. Cheers,
Sig