Day 39, Level 1: Writing, music and star jasmine

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What stunning weather today. The breeze wasn't enough to be a nuisance but it did have just a slight hint of chill that stopped it from being too hot. And even though there wasn't really any wind as such, the flies stayed away. Perfect!

Brett went off to golf in the afternoon (again!) and I spent the day busy writing. I have a number of deadlines. And, as usual, time is all very well but I'm much better with a deadline! Like a deadline of tomorrow ... and I didn't start writing till today! More about that tomorrow ...

Watched the Aotearoa Music Awards tonight - what a different format to normal. Usually it's a big gala dinner with celebrities and A-list presenters and all the fashion and associated ra-ra glitz. Generally very ho-hum, who cares. 

This year it was very pared back. Held at a music venue, with a focus on music rather than showmanship. Hooray! Plenty of music performances. It seems Covid has enabled the organisers of this previously dull and boring awards ceremony to think outside the box. Rather than a highly-sponsored fancy-dancy event, this year it was an authentic music-based concert-style event. Just one host, no presenters, lots of music and plenty of their supporters (they didn't have to pay hundreds of dollars for a ticket!) 

And they also honoured six music acts into the NZ Music Hall of Fame - long overdue for all of them, half of them deceased. Yahoo. There were a few hiccups and "could do betters" but it was the first time in this format and we'll give them some leeway. Definitely a much more authentic and engaging event to watch, that's for sure.

A band that both performed live, and won two awards (People's Choice and Best Roots Artist), was LAB - love this single of theirs - link below. Called "In the Air" it's a laid back track that smacks of those carefree days of youth. The video has a raw and old-school NZ vibe that resonates - filmed in the Wairarapa. The sound of summer ... 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI5usbhzmbY

Benee, The Beths, Six60, they all got awards.

I don't understand why my beloved Mako Road isn't nominated ... I raved about them during lockdown - and their fab song "The Sun Comes Up".

Whatever ... WOW we produce some great music in NZ!

SHARE-NOTE OF THE DAY:
Star jasmine ...

Ours is in full bloom. Pretty! Smells nice too!





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