lemon letters
A love letter to the artists of Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Mānawatia a Matariki! I just got back from a month in Europe, visiting my parents in Heidelberg, Germany. Back just in time for Matariki, and the days are short and somehow it’s colder inside my flat than it is outside. I wasn’t planning to write anything this week for live laugh lemon but I was walking on the waterfront this morning and felt inspired to write a little love letter to Wellington. (I might make this a little series?). I expected to go overseas and be blown away by the art scenes and how amazing these European cities are, and I was! But I’m also blown away by how much is happening here in Te Whanganui-a-tara and Aotearoa. I said to some of my friends while I was gone that I was so excited to come back into our little creative bubble, so here are some art-related things that have been making me excited to be back and the things I’m loving in Pōneke.
What Dreams May Come - Louisa Williamson
Louisa Williamson is a saxophonist and composer and What Dreams May Come is her debut album, and it’s incredible. I am SO gutted I missed the live performance and release of this album, it is so beautiful and Louisa is a big inspo to many people in the Wellington scene, myself included. Just knowing that I am existing in the same city as people like Louisa makes me excited to be here. If you haven’t listened to it yet you won’t regret it! I had it on repeat on the plane home, it’s perfect for travelling and reflecting.
Listen on Spotify - What Dreams May Come
Te Kahureremoa - Acts of Service
Another beautiful album from a Te Whanganui-a-Tara based wahine that has recently been released. Every moment in this album is moving and heartfelt, and straight-up stunning. I heard about this album because Neil Macleod and Salina Fisher, two musicians I’m connected with from different music scenes, posted about it on their Insta stories. A truly incredible album and made me reflect on these relationships within the music community, and all the amazing collaborations happening between different music scenes right now.
Listen on Spotify - Acts of Service
Robin White - Something is happening here
My boyfriend and I went for a walk to Te Papa just to be warm the other day and ended up going to this exhibit and it was incredible. The paintings themselves were so compelling and rich. The stories behind them, Robin’s life, and her love for art are really inspiring. It’s free so go check it out, even just to be warm.
Classical on Cuba
The schedule is out, I’m playing with some of my fave people, and the groups all look amazing, I am so excited. I love the direction that classical music is headed in Te Whanganui-aTara, and props to Leah Thomas for organising some of the most exciting gigs I’ve done and for her amazing work programming this festival. It’s gonna be mean.
Also shout out to the people I love most in my life in Wellington for being major creative inspiration and also being my family while I couldn’t see my parents and sister. I love Wellington because of you, and you make this city my home <3
