So much time as passed since it was announced that RSD would release my album Live at Old St. Paul’s - a concert from 2022 with NZtrio and my steadfast band. A concert that holds a sentimental place in my heart. The first proper handful of shows I did since becoming a Mum in 2021. I had baby in the hotel room with her Dad. Covid lockdowns were easing. Weird times. NZtrio were brilliant collaborators, my songs had been arranged by Alex Taylor. I felt right in step.

Live albums are a funny thing. You’re either into them or not. But I think they are great for posterity. And now I can say I’ve got one. I really must thank Chrysalis for putting it all together and Bob Frisbee who has recorded 99% of the shows we’ve done together.

Well now, here’s the thing, it’s now coming out on streaming, Bandcamp, and on my various stores. Some of you nabbed it on RSD, which was the point, so thank you.

Can you do me a favour? Pre-save the album in any form you like?

Better still, nab a copy on September 25th. All the clicking, and saving makes someone, somewhere feel better. The algorithm gods.

When I tour with NZtrio (shh) next year I will do run of CDs for those, like me, who think the CD is bloody good.

9th of September, my cover of Mazzy Star’s Fade Into You comes out. Here’s a video of my first crack at the song. I’m certainly not the first or last to cover this song but it’s a song I discovered when falling in love, properly, at the age of 20. I clung to it. There is a stoned, broken-hearted feeling to this song. Released two years after my birth. Long live the 90s.

Plus, a week or so ago, (I lose track of time), Call The Days (Live at Old St Paul’s) was released with a gorgeous animation by Parry Jones, who I’ve known since a youngin, his son Harley Jones, an incredible artist (!), well, I’m covered in tattoos drawn by him, and his daughter Ruby Jones, is a world class illustrator and artist. Runs in the family.

Here’s the brief I gave to Parry -

I’m really going back in time here…I wrote this in 2013 when I had moved to Wellington to live. The city’s weather really had an effect on me. Such a brutal yet beautiful city. The wind would sweep up Newtown and sort of shake me awake. Then, as the saying goes, you can’t beat Wellington on a good day, we would get a day of sunshine and all would be right in the world. I’d moved for a fresh relationship and was feeling a lot of change and pressure and now, on reflection, growth. I worked at a burger bar down in Newtown and was listening to a lot of Paul Simon. Most of my writing feels unconscious. But looking back now, I can see I am trying to make sense of life and all the crunchy parts. The line ‘call the days as they were known’ perhaps in some ways relates to the heaviness that depression can bring. I never liked that word and am still uncomfortable with it, I suppose the blanket of dread is a better way to explain it. I’ve felt it a lot over my lifetime, for whatever reasons, and these days I sort of befriend it. As it often tends to be fleeting.

This is a real Wellington song for me, and meaningfully, this live version is recorded at Old St Paul’s in Wellington. When I left Wellington, it was on very sad terms, so this was a nice full circle moment. Back in love with the city. On better terms.

What else?

I’m touring

If you’re thinking of coming, please do buy your ticket… there was a great NZ article that went around recently - buying early makes such a difference. Everywhere.

UK shows, my guest lists are generally pretty empty so please reach out if funds are tight currently, I’d love to guest you, and I’d do my best to accommodate that.

Anyway, tell your mums, your Australian friends

Till soon

xx

The heatwaves have subsided. I’m still in love with my Shark fan. I’m writing for my new album. It’s not comfy territory but in the big picture it’s all good stuff. My big thinking at the moment is - how do I sustain myself for the long run as a singer/songwriter? I’m over here in the UK to give this all a good shot. I’m no longer in the bubble of the NZ music scene, which is beloved to me, but it IS a bubble. I was riding on success there that I can’t ride on here. And that’s part of it. That’s part of why I wanted to come here. But is this really what I want to do? When my little one starts school, could that be an opening to go back to study? I think that answer is inside me and the answer could be both/and.

Ugh. That old thing.

When I was chatting to my friends The Broken Heartbreakers months back we were talking about how being a musician can feel like everything and nothing at once. How can something mean so much but also be so meaningless at the same time? I think that is what a paradox is.

Music feels like everything and nothing at the same time. It is deeply meaningful, and ultimately meaningless. I am important, and I am irrelevant.

Speaking of- The Broken Heartbreakers released their album last month. It is stunning. My little imprint Slow Time put it out.

HERE IT IS

Today is Bandcamp Friday so it’s a PERFECT day to purchase.

and Anthonie Tonnon has a new single too. Ps. his new record is insanely good.

I am also ON TOUR in the UK in late September - Norwich (with This Is The Kit), then with strings Reading, Hastings, York, Glasgow, Chester

December - Australia and New Zealand, I’m looking at you. Stand by. xo

Want to know what I was like at 19? Here’s little recording I did in 2011.

Thanks Mike Summerfield.

I was living in Christchurch. I left home at 18, packed my Honda Civic Hatch and went in search of something. Got a job at C1, met some beautiful people who were geniuses but I didn’t know it then. Tim Moore was a shining light for me and gave me a gig or two at Goodbye Blue Monday.

I had my very own flat above Ruby on High Street. The rent was $300 a week. I used to go busking down Cashel Mall to buffer up rent money.

Music really helped me, saved me, in a way, gave me something to hold on to.

I put these recordings up on Bandcamp this morning for Bandcamp Friday - so grateful for all the orders streaming through. It all reaches me direct.

That’s it for now -

I have a few things to announce next week so please do follow me here too

Me with Kate Stables from This Is The Kit - a dream is an understatement!

xx NR

I return from Ireland where I had an incredibly blessed time. What joy it is to visit these places with a renewed sense of gratitude.

I shared a bill in Galway with Niall McCabe and Flyte. Absolute dreamboats. And a first for me, a pint of Guinness.

My lovely friends Rachel Bailey and John Howell have their album up for pre-order now.

My personal im…

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