For NZ Music Month the last couple of years, we asked bands/artists 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 were most proud of creating.

We really enjoyed the stories people told us, so we are doing it again this year.

Next up is Daniel McClelland.

May 5th, 2012 – Bodega. Tommy Ill was launching his excellent album New Hat And A Haircut, with support acts from Bang Bang Eche and Golden Axe. The elephant in the room was that Adam Yauch (AKA MCA) had just died on May 4th. All rappers owe a debt to the Beastie Boys, but none more so than white-rappers like Mr Ill. He’d got into rapping as a result of License To Ill. Rather than making platitudes though, Ill launched into a cover of (if I remember correctly?) Sabotage. The room erupted. It was like a spark hit a powder keg and just exploded. Tears, laughter, rage, grief, and joy were shared as everyone belted out the words with full-force. Normally a cover like that would flop, but on that night, at that time, the loss of MCA was so devastating that we all needed something to rally around. Tommy Ill provided that, and it was one of the most electric experiences I’ve ever had. I wager everyone in the room at the time remembers it too.