ANDREW STAFFORD, WRITER AND LABEL OWNER INTERVIEWED (2017): Going global in our own backyard #2

With the Going Global Music Summit about to land on our shores -- at various venues and locations in Auckland this coming weekend Sept 1 and 2 (for details opf speakers, artists and events see the link below), it is timely to let some of the delegates have their say about their experiences in the music industry, what sounds shake their tree, what's going in their world and maybe reveal something persnal about their interests and incentives.

We started with Sydney-based journalist Lars Brandle of the music industry bible Billboard but now let's hear from Australian Andrew Stafford who is a freelance writer for Britain's Guardian and owns Pig City Records . . .

What five songs would best depict the soundtrack to your day, today?

Kaleidoscope World, by the Chills (appropriately enough - somehow the song came to me in a dream I had last night). Regional Echo, from Jen Cloher’s new album, out this week. Psycho, by the Beasts of Bourbon, from their first album The Axeman’s Jazz - an old Leon Payne song, produced by the great Tony Cohen, who passed away last week. Shine The Light, by Sabrina Lawrie, which has been on constant rotation in my head long before we released her debut album through my label Pig City Records. And, at the risk of self-indulgence, Pig City by Spiral Stairs, formerly of Pavement - it’s a bonus 7” that comes with his new album Doris And The Daggers. It sounds like the most Go-Betweens song the Go-Betweens never wrote, and was apparently inspired by the book, not the song of the same name by the Parameters, which he told me he’d never heard.

What is your favourite music-associated movie, and why?

High Fidelity, directed by Stephen Frears. I’ll leave everyone else to select This Is Spinal Tap (understandably) but it’s the most touching and funny film about love, music and the relationship between the two. It still moves me. I thought the film was better than Nick Hornby’s book and it didn’t hurt at all to move the setting from North London to Chicago - you could meet Rob, Dick and Barry in any record store on earth.

What is the craziest music industry experience you have had?

Again, pardon the self-indulgence, but seeing Pig City turned into an all-day concert with the original line-up of the Saints reforming for the first time in 30 years to play, just down the road from my home. It was surreal. OMG I died. And went to heaven.

What are your favourite music videos?

I’m presuming this means video clips rather than movies or documentaries, but I’ll make an exception for a concert film - Stop Making Sense, by Talking Heads, the whole damn thing. For individual clips, Loose Cannons, by Brisbane band HITS. Reach You On The Phone by another Brisbane band, Blank Realm, who somewhere along the way absorbed the entire Flying Nun catalogue. (I’m) Stranded, by the Saints. Let There Be Rock, by AC/DC, with Bon Scott dressed as a priest.

Have you ever been to New Zealand? If no, what are you expecting? If yes, what was the best part?

No! I want to see Kokakos and Kakapos, though I know I won’t. I’ll settle for a Tui. I’ve been a birder since I was a kid.

What New Zealand bands are you listening to?

The Chills, again. I just got the double vinyl reissue of Kaleidoscope World on Captured Tracks. I’m pretty old-school with all that Flying Nun stuff - the Bats’ new one The Deep Set is really good too.

What is your favourite long-haul airplane activity?

Sleeping, because it’s so hard to come by.

What one song represents New Zealand, to you?

It’s tempting to say Tally Ho! by the Clean, just for that keyboard riff, but I’m going to go with the Chills again - Heavenly Pop Hit. Lighter than air, floating above that long white cloud. And Martin Phillipps played that keyboard riff in Tally Ho!, anyway.

Flat white, long black or fluffy?

Latte, so I guess that’s fluffy.

If you could pick ONE band you are working with, what would be your pitch to New Zealanders?

I’d pitch Sabrina Lawrie, simply because great songs are great songs and know no borders.

For more details on the Going Global Music Summit check their website here.