For New Zealand Month last year we asked a bunch of people what they thought made Wellington music unique as well as what their favourite albums by Wellington artists were.

This year we thought we would do something similar, but slightly different. This time we’re asking people for a favourite memory of making music in Wellington. It could involve a favourite gig, a funny story from the recording studio, a moment that led to the inspiration for a song, the fond recollection of a defunct venue, or the piece of music or lyric that they are most proud of creating.

Today we caught up with Martin Andrews. Martin Andrews is a singer from Lyall Bay, versed in the styles of many different musical genres. He also records under the name ‘Pisces’ & is a member of ‘The Polly Johnson Set’, a ‘gypsy punk vaudeville cabaret’ collective of songwriters and performers. Martin also posts on the blog bsidestories which focus on various Wellington people & artist that make the city unique.

From a personal stand point, completing my first album last year has been my favourite part of making music in Wellington. There are so many high points along the way, finishing the recording, mixing each track, getting the mastered album, working out the artwork and then holding the actual physical copy, the release gig when you send your child out into the world to grow and work it’s magic, seeing it displayed in the Wellington Public Library for the first time!

My current favourite local album is ‘Roman Birch’ by Roman Birch. I first met Roman when he was in High school and I’ve followed his career as he’s grown into adulthood and become an accomplished songwriter. This is his second record which reminds me a lot of Bob Dylan’s ‘The freewheelin Bob Dylan’. My current favourite track is ‘Home for Christmas’

You can buy some of Martins music on Bandcamp here.

Cover art used with permission.