PASS US THE AUX

Music is a core part of the Salient office. Whether it’s in our headphones during work cramming mode, or blasted throughout the office in our manic hours, it’s a constant for us. It amps us up when we need an extra boost before print, when we’re sleep deprived and Red Bull fuelled. When Maia and Bella insist on blasting The 1975 or Harry Styles, you can catch Fran knee deep in her musical guilty pleasure of study time lofi jazz. As early 2000s babies, we also love a good VUWSA van roadie sing-along to the Jo Bros, Britney, Nelly Furtado or ABBA. 

Music is an expansive experience, combining poetic lyrical text with a mix of vocal and instrumental sound. The artists that opt into creating music videos bring us further into their inner worlds, using the video medium to bridge multimedia. And we can’t forget how music physically moves us. Whether you’re a trained dancer or not, it’s hard to deny the power of a good bop and boogie. 

As writers, music not only supports us to meet our deadlines, but it can be an excellent source of inspiration. Music makes us know the importance of telling a story, sparking visuals and rhythmic flow, and creating an experience for the reader. If our words leave the page and create a swirling sensation of ideas then we know we’re doing something right!

In Wellington, we are blessed by a thriving live music scene. Live music is one of those most cathartic experiences, creating moments that make you remember that this is why you are alive. 

At the back of the crowd at CubaDupa, we stood together on a ledge between friends, watching an experimental band (the glorious Recitals) play music like we had never heard. In the DARTZ mosh, we jumped and writhed to their unique rock sound. Screaming “ONE OUTS CAPTAIN COOK” is a truly purgative experience. And at Homegrown, we swayed with the crowd as Dave Dobbyn sung his Kiwi anthems into the dark. 

This is why we are alive. The euphoria of live music, of jamming to a song you love by an artist you adore, is ecstatic and unlike any other emotion. What better way to spend our years of being young (and what little disposable income we have) than to join in with the highs and lows of live music. 

In 2023’s “Music” issue, our writers dive deep into exploring all facets of musical creativity, artists and trends. We bring you more photos from our Rolling Stone inspired cover shoot and introduce you to the featured artists: Girl Best Friend, Milktooth, Maiden Name, and Sheboy. Our feature section starts off strong with Bridget’s exploration of the three months enigmatic rockstar Courtney Love spent at Nelson Girls’ College in the 70s. Jia asks Wellington musicians what it’s like to be a student breaking into the music biz. Xavier tracks the resurgence of one of pop music’s biggest trends: breakbeat. Finally, Kat explores the emotional damage caused by boygenius, reviewing their debut album, the record, and Pippi introduces us to the wholesome Vic Folk Club. 

The Salient News team has had a busy week. Niamh tracks down a missing bus shelter amidst biblical rain. Ethan and Elliot find that while Chris Bishop is certainly a renter, he denies that his in-laws are family members. Zoë investigates the accessibility of VUW Halls of Residence, and Ethan is on the Vice Chancellor’s case, reviewing his announcement of Senior Leadership Team restructuring. And Maia, it seems, is angry at some greenhouse gas emitting pipes (again). 

May is NZ Music Month, so there’s no excuse not to support our music industry. Follow our featured artists on social media, listen to our Intro to Welly music playlist, or attend one of the gigs in our gig guide. Get in there and have a fucking good time. 

Ngā manaakitanga, 

Maia and Fran xoxo