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 Jhan Lindsay. Jhan is a Wellington based musician, composer, teacher and Independent Marriage Celebrant. She released her first album Jhan Lindsay and The Chattelaines at the end of 2015 and is currently working on her second album which will be released at the end of 2016, while teaching voice and music in schools in Wellington and Wairarapa. As an Independent Marriage Celebrant Jhan has written and performed a multitude of diverse marriage services throughout Aotearoa.

Two musical memories about this first years of my life in Wellington I wish to share are the composition of my first original song ‘Emerald’, and the memory and love for a little bar called Bodega.

‘Now that summer’s gone, I’m left, to weep with winter’ the opening lines to my original tune ‘Emerald’ composed while experiencing my first Wellington winter on Aro Street. The chords and tonality reflect the unease and chilling cold of the limited sun and icy footpaths of the vale. I yearned, I waited and a celebrated when the trees returned their leaves, their ‘emerald glow’ the new leaves of fresh green, the promise of a warmer season to come. As a 17 year old fresh to the capital from the sandy breezes in Auckland, winter at 166 Aro Street was a surprise.

Close to my home was a bar. A small bar. A bar that sold good beer. A bar that had bands and music. A bar that had Ben Fulton playing solo, Toastie reggae DJ nights and black t-shirt clad bar staff with impeccable manners and boundless creativity. Bodega. Our band Project, (Saali Marks guitar and vocals, John Downes bass, Warren Field samples and electronic beats, Brad McMillan drums and vocals and myself playing saxophone and vocals) played there regularly.

We always got a crowd, whether it was music school acquaintances, flatmates, Motueka apple pickers up for the weekend to splurge their cash who had seen us play at a festival in the back blocks when we were on a tour the previous summer, like minded dub infused beat seekers or baristas and chefs from the thriving bohemian soaked cafe scene. This is where I cut my teeth playing music. I loved Bodega. I still miss Bodega. When the time came for a road to replace this iconic underwire of the music scene I cried, playing my saxophone I walked with the regulars and the wooden bar to its new home, it has never been the same.

You can buy Jhan’s album on Bandcamp here.

All images used with permission.