SoundProof at the 2009 VNZMAs, Part Two
By: Nina McSweeney
Posted: October 21, 2009 – Auckland New Zealand
Read Part One here.
New Zealanders suffer from "Tall Poppy Syndrome" (TPS): you can be successful, but not too successful. The only exception to the rule is when an artist makes it big overseas. Then the nation can love and embrace the returning hero. The Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards function as a ritual homecoming for these successful expats.
London-based Ladyhawke triumphed over this year's VNZMAs and won six categories including Best Album for her self-titled debut. She also took home the awards for Best Single ("My Delirium"), Best Female Solo Artist, Breakthrough Artist, Best Dance/Electronica and International Achievement.
Ladyhawke—real name Pip Brown—left New Zealand after finding no recognition at home. Now Ladyhawke is an electro-pop dynamo whose album has gone gold on the British charts.
Brown's bashful demeanor has helped her become NZ's indie sweetheart. And that's part of the ritual: an artist who has achieved international success can only be embraced in New Zealand if they tick all the cultural boxes. They must, on their return, be extremely humble.
Ladyhawke has the grace to look slightly ashamed of her success and that wins her widespread appreciation. The night of the awards, her acceptance speeches were awkward and she looked continually surprised although she cleaned up in almost every category entered. She shuffled on and off stage with her head tucked between hunched shoulders. On accepting her third award she said, "Tonight is a huge shock to me and I don't know what to do except drink more vodka."
The audience approved. NZ Prime Minister John Key told SoundProof, "Ladyhawke has had a fantastic year... for a girl from Masterton [small town NZ] she's doing pretty darn well."
Her awards-sweep was so complete that Anika Moa, presenter and local singer-songwriter joked, "Well done Ladyhawke, you stupid bitch."
SoundProof witnessed a similar, truimphal homecoming at last year's VNZMAs.
New York residents Flight of the Conchords won large in 2008. They were once a moderately popular comedy-duo whose TV series was rejected in NZ. Now, with a successful HBO show, and a Grammy for Best Comedy Album under their belt, Flight of the Conchords are the nation's beloved.
They too met the pre-requisite for nation-wide approval with their self-effacing attitude. Rounding out their wins with an award for Best Album, Jemaine said, "I'm not accepting this one."
Most New Zealanders didn't even know that Ladyhawke existed before her overseas success. "People don't seem to realise that I've actually been making music in NZ for a long time," Brown commented after the show.
This lack of awareness made her triumphant homecoming even more surreal. "I cant even put it into words," she explained. "This is an insane shock to me, so um, I'm still in shock. I literally walked off stage and haven't really had any time to process it."
In addition to her sweet attitude, Pip Brown is profoundly talented.
Brown writes the songs herself. "It is me and about four producers. I usually demo stuff at home and take it to whoever I'm working with and show them, and that's where we go from." That said, she is also the mastermind behind the unique sound of her music, "I completely know exactly what I want and I tell them— fucking crack the whip—and say exactly what I want."
Rather authoritative for a humble lady.
The other big winner at the VNZMAs was Midnight Youth, up for eight awards in total.
The boys have a rousing success story. This time last year they were still unable to find a backer for their album, The Brave Don't Run. "We went to New York on our own back. We spent our life savings in early 2008, and went to New York and recorded the bulk of what was to become our album. We bought that back and played demos and signed with Warners New Zealand and in Australia. No one else wanted it. They were the only people who backed us," commented lead singer Jeremy Redmore.
Midnight Youth have the unfortunate distinction of being very popular with the New Zealand local public, which leads to industry grumbling. More than one industry insider was heard saying, "Midnight Youth. They are only popular because they got lucky."
Midnight Youth finally went home with Best Rock Album and Best Group—awards that Ladyhawke wasn't eligible for. However, these categories were laden with talent. Rockers The Mint Chicks and dub heroes Fat Freddy's Drop have both scooped the Best Album award in previous years.
"To beat The Mint Chicks and Fat Freddy's for these awards is just ridiculous," said Redmore.
As for Ladyhawke, "She's great. We played with her in Texas as well at SXSW. She's got such a buzz about her. She has captured a sound and a presence that really works. It's cool because she has basically had a whole bunch of success overseas and not really any in New Zealand."
Redmore's comment touches the heart of the New Zealand music issue. Many artists who achieve success at home find themselves suffering the effects of TPS. But Redmore was hesitant to comment about any hardship back home. "I think a lot of people who criticise us have heard two songs on the radio and haven't been to a live show. Usually once they see us they shut up."
They certainly silenced any doubters at the awards. Midnight Youth kicked off the show with the anthem "All On Our Own". The song came equipped with crashing build-ups, audience sing-alongs and an a-capella breakdown. Pillars of fire loomed over the stage during their act. As Redmore said, "Any time we get to play with towers of flame is pretty special. It was an awesome night and good to finally give a stadium anthem the situation it deserves."
Disbelievers admitted that Midnight Youth gave a great performance. However, SoundProof overheard someone say that Redmore "wore his Guns N' Roses t-shirt like a night-gown." You can't please everybody.
In truth, dedicated fans of indie music will probably never champion a pop ballad. But Midnight Youth may have encountered less cynicism if their success was international instead of locally based.
Video: "My Delirium" by Ladyhawke
