New Zealand Music Features

"...in a world that is mediated to a highly controlled extent, the possibility for raw failure is something that should be cherished." The third and final part of a three-part series in which Vera Ellen talks to local musicians about the difficulties navigating live performance and turbulent emotion. To read part one, click here, and for part two, click here. 

"...You know when you’re in a plane and the turbulence is terrible and there’s lightning hitting the wings and you start praying to god and you really fucking mean it? That’s what it feels like before I go on stage..." Part two of a three-part series in which Vera Ellen talks to local musicians about the difficulties navigating live performance and turbulent emotion. To read part one, click here. 

“Mouthfull has created a sense of community that hasn't existed since the early days of student radio...In my opinion, the musical freedom the Mouthfull team has developed is healthy. It allows the hosts to express themselves outside of the generic demands of nightclub DJing or radio funded by advertising. To me, that's important for independent music in the long run.” — Paul Berrington (DJ. B.Lo)

"...It felt so extreme that something one person could perceive as light weekend entertainment, could drag me to such devastation..." Part one of a three-part series in which Vera Ellen talks to local musicians about the difficulties navigating live performance and turbulent emotion.