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Eons ago, The Doors informed us that people are strange. Fortunately for them, strange
people provide excellent advice when it comes to creative expression.
Much more recently, students at Pukekohe High School found some ‘strangers’ able to help them open doors in the music industry.
Musicians Noema Te Hau III and Paige Tapara from Play It Strange stopped by Pukekohe High to inspire and advise budding musicians.
“Pukekohe High has a great music department. Steve Granshaw has been the [music] teacher there for a while and he’s really awesome,” Tapara says.
“We visit around 90–100 schools every year and some students aren’t very receptive, but his class was really engaged, really keen to learn. We did some songwriting workshops and they were all asking questions and showing us their songs. They were an awesome group.”
Based on this visit, the former Rosehill College student believes Pukekohe High could very
well have the next Lorde – or the next Chris Knox, for the benefit of our ‘veteran’ rockers/readers – among its student body.
“As a [Franklin] local, I would be stoked if they did, but I wouldn’t be too surprised. The school has already produced at least one great musician, Vana (Yvonne Winckel). She’s a heavy metal artist who came out of Pukekohe High and she’s doing really big shows in the States – recently, she opened for Linkin Park. So, I really wouldn’t be surprised if another great artist came out of Pukekohe High soon.”
Overall, Tapara says that one piece of advice rings loud and true across the (black)board – young musicians must play it, strange or otherwise, to make it.
“There’s a perception that you have to wait until you get better to play live, but you have to
get out there and start doing it, that’s how you improve. Not just posting online, but getting out and performing at bars or restaurants or busking, that’s the way to make it happen.”
While their students are young, the Play It Strange Trust is no stranger to the stage. For
almost 25 years, the initiative has backed young artists, producing more than 7000 songs for competitions.
The trust has also flipped on the switch for more than 1500 recording sessions. Contests serve as springboards into the music biz.
“Play It Strange provides Aotearoa’s largest songwriting competitions – the kaupapa is to
help emerging songwriters, connecting them with our judges who are also songwriters,
artists and producers.”
Ironically, Tapara (best known on stage as Paige) didn’t kickstart her own music career
through the initiative but the list of alumni is a who’s-who of modern Kiwi music.
“I didn’t do Play It Strange in high school, but it would have been very helpful as it’s a
shortcut into the industry. It’s so hard to get connected otherwise – it’s definitely not as
simple as applying for a job,” she adds.
“I think it has now become an integral part of a lot of people’s high school artist experiences. Kimbra came up through Play It Strange, that’s just one big name off the top of my head.”
Visit playitstrange.org.nz for more information or to enter the National Songwriting
Competition, which is open to students in years 9–13 until August 9.
