MUSIC HISTORY: Station manager Nat Newtown says old Blah Blah Blah posters will be part of the CD art
A VICTORIA University radio station is set to release a piece of its history to its listeners – a CD anthology of students’ live music and poetry.
Human FM has hosted and recorded quarterly open mic evenings – affectionately known as Blah Blah Blah nights – since the station began in 2007, and the CD will feature live performances from the early days.
For station manager Nat Newton, who has been a Human FM DJ since the age of 16, the CD is a trip down memory lane.
“It’s a bit of a nostalgia trip and a way to catch up on what the station used to be like,” says Nat (20), who studies political science at Victoria.
“The CD is a reward for those who have been with the station and listening since the beginning, and it shows the newer generation of performers how far it has progressed.”
The CD anthology – which features 28 poets and musicians who performed at Blah Blah Blah from 2007 to 2010 – is the first of its kind to be released by a student radio station in NZ.
“No student radio station has done any like this on such a scale, at least not in Wellington,” says Nat, who hopes to produce 100 copies of the anthology.
“It’s a testament to how unique Human has always tried to be.”
YOUNG POET: Hannah Blumhardt will feature on the anthology
The uniqueness of Human FM is evident in the material featured on the anthology, which ranges from experimental performance poetry, to comedic accoustic versions of pop and R & B songs, to jingles recorded in the station’s early days.
One of Nat’s personal favourites is the “angsty folk rock” band Semeloff, which ended up playing to stadiums in China.
The CD, to be released in October, will come with a fold-out booklet made up of old posters advertising Blah Blah Blah nights.As well as celebrating Human FM’s history, Nat hopes the CD will help raise money for the station, which broadcasts out of Victoria’s Anglican Chaplaincy.
“We wanted to do something different to raise funds – not just selling sausages,” he says.
“The Chaplaincy is funded by donations and by the Anglican Diocese [of New Zealand]. It gets no funding from Vic.”
MISS BRIGHT: Performing at Blah Blah Blah
However, for Nat, money is not the most important element, hence Human FM remains advert-free.
“No-one wants to listen to three minutes of ads. Sometimes, you’d rather just hear good music.”
Human FM currently has 15 student DJs on board, and broadcasts 24/7 from the Chaplaincy. As well as playing a wide range of music, it broadcasts poetry readings and lectures on social, ethical and religious issues.
“Unlike other Christian radio stations, we discuss religious issues from both sides of the track”, says Nat.
“We also try to be less cynical than other student stations. I’m not a fan of the current Government, but you won’t hear a show dedicated to saying ‘F*** John Key – it’s not very productive.
“Human provides a more positive space for student DJs who don’t find the traditional mould.”
Eclectic acts impress at August Blah Blah Blah
BROODING jazz tunes, songs about garlic, Plath-inspired poetry, and Bob Dylan spliced with Kimbra were all on the menu at this quarter’s Blah Blah Blah.
A crowd of Victoria University students, performers’ friends and family members and long-time fans of Human FM gathered at the stations’ Ramsey House headquarters, where they were treated to mulled wine (for a koha) and 10 diverse performances.
“At Blah Blah Blah, you can always expect a really eclectic mix of people doing their thing,” says station manager and MC Nat Newton.
The show opened with Wellington alternative jazz duo April Fish (left), who played a collection of songs from their online EP, Flailing Beautifully.
Keyboardist and singer Katie Morton says she loves that events like Blah Blah Blah exist.
“It’s heartening to…be included in such a supportive platform for young creatives to share their stuff,” she says.
They were followed by performances from current Victoria student Hannah Bright (who performs under stage name Miss Bright) and Victoria alumnus Rose Duxfield, both of whom have also released EPs.
Miss Bright, in a style similar to 90s pop-folk icon Jewel, performed three original songs inspired by her Christian faith.
“It’s always a good experience performing at Blah Blah Blah,” she says. “There’s a massive mixture of people and they’re all on your side.”
Rose Duxfield (right) performed an original song, Irreconcilable Differences, about her inability to date someone who didn’t like garlic. It had the audience in fits of giggles.
“I’d recommend Blah Blah Blah as an excellent starting point for anyone wanting to get into performing live music in Wellington,” says Rose, who has performed in several Wellington venues, both solo and with her band, The Breakfast Pastries.
Other musicians performed a variety of cover songs, including those by Adele, Mama Cass, Woody Guthrie, Foster The People (played on a ukulele) and Bob Dylan.
In particular, Human FM’s event manager Declan Doherty-Ramsay’s cover of Dylan’s All Along The Watchtower, spliced with Goyte and Kimbra’s hit Somebody That I Used To Know, delighted with crowd – with the MC declaring it was “much better than Goyte’s version.”
Law student Hannah Blumhardt was one of two poets who performed, and her three poems – inspired by a recurring theme of social awardness – were warmly received.
“I really like performing my poetry, and I’ve only ever done it at Blah Blah Blah,” says Hannah, who’s biggest influences at Sylvia Plath, Dylan Thomas and Vincent O’Sullivan. “It’s such a supportive and non-judgmental environment.”
Hannah’s poetry will feature on Human FM’s double CD anthology, to be released in October, featuring Blah Blah Blah performances from 2007-2010.
The next Blah Blah Blah will be held on September 26.
UNIQUE COVER: Declan Doherty-Ramsay performing “All Along The Watchtower/Somebody That I Used To Know”
