Meet the Makers: Bic Runga
Published: Thursday 6 July, 2023
To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of her eleven-time platinum, best-selling album Beautiful Collison and ahead of her SOLD OUT Auckland Town Hall performance this month as part of Elemental Nights, we are super excited to share we sat down with her to discuss all things creativity, music and inspiration. Check it out below:
Image Credit: Alleen Chen
Introduce yourself, your practice, and your connection with music?
I’m Bic Runga, I’m a singer, songwriter, and record producer.
Who or what inspires you in music?
At the moment, Grace Jones, Rosinha de Valença and Caetano Veloso.
What’s the hardest thing about what you do?
When making music or putting on live shows, I think the hardest part is managing an avalanche of micro decisions and the wrangling of many moving parts. Learning to be decisive, thinking quickly, and being present with whatever is at hand at the time.
What local or international musicians have inspired you to be a musician?
When I started out 25 years ago my heroes were David Bowie, Neil Young, Led Zeppelin, Nina Simone, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Sade, Kate Bush.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t lean a guitar against a wall, it will fall over - Dave Dobbyn
What got you started in your music career?
In New Zealand it was playing support for many much loved and established songwriters, Neil and Tim Finn, Dave Dobbyn, The Exponents.
What’s the best music gig you’ve seen this year?
Unknown Mortal Orchestra is the best live band, so many great songs.
What makes a great album in your opinion?
Timelessness, originality, emotional clarity, and skillful production/songwriting.
Why is music important to you?
Because it can say things you don’t know how to say yourself.
Tell us about your upcoming show.
I’m touring the full Beautiful Collision album, it's the 20th Anniversary of its release. We will perform the whole album as one live piece.
What advice would you give to an up-and-coming NZ musician?
Focus on building your live show, if you play live a lot, then it can make recording a lot easier.
What do you love most about performing in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland?
That I can go home to my own bed afterwards!
