Photography: Emily Chalk
The things that help singer Boh Runga find joy these days are mostly close to home. She and fellow musician Troy McKubre enjoy a peaceful rural life on their small lifestyle block near Kumeū in West Auckland.
Nevertheless, they’ve been busy working on an ambitious project that’s bringing lots more people to their doorstep.
After 15 years together, the Stellar* frontwoman, 56, and her partner, 46, have converted a large garage beside their country villa into their own recording studio, doing much of the hard work themselves.
“Troy spent a year on this,” says Boh, who admits she’s not particularly talented when it comes to DIY.
“I was his reluctant helper. Poor Troy! He’s very patient, practical and dedicated, and he put up with a lot of my complaining. I’m definitely more of an ideas person!”
Where creativity comes to life
When they decided to move to the country three years ago, it was with the intention of building a recording studio where they could create their own work. After finding 1.6 hectares of park-like grounds, their vision got bigger, becoming somewhere other artists can come and record music too.
Old North Studios is now open for business, with Troy – a multitalented rock musician, producer and engineer – running the show and Boh providing assistance.
“I’m just the tea lady,” she laughs.
“It’s the best feeling having people come here to be creative and really enjoy it. I love hanging out with other musicians and there’s lots of banter – that’s the best bit really.”
All those months of lugging sheets of soundproof gib board around and painting walls now seem worthwhile. There’s plenty of space for big bands and even video shoots – already, Ardijah singer Betty-Anne Hall and her band have used the studio.
Boh’s given the place a cosy feel with beautiful rugs on the floor and a light-filled control room that overlooks their garden.
She explains, “We wanted to make it a friendly environment where people can feel relaxed. On a nice day, they can take a break to go hang out under the magnolia trees.”
A new chapter in music
In pride of place in the new studio is a vintage Sames upright piano, which Boh thinks is about 100 years old.
“I’d been hunting for a piano for ages. I found this one on Trade Me and although it’s in great condition, it’s not worth anything. It being free was highly attractive – it being ornate even more so. It’s gorgeous. So now I need to make time to get some lessons and improve my piano playing.”
Boh hopes that having a studio right next door to her home will kickstart the creation of new music.
“Troy has a folder full of ideas, so we started by recording something he and I wrote together, then released it as a kind of showcase for the studio. It’s called North and it’s quite dark rock, which is not normally my thing – I’m a very poppy, cheerful person! But I love how massive it sounds.”
She’s also planning to work on some projects of her own.
“Apart from this thing with Troy, I haven’t done any songwriting for a few years. I actually have to make the time for it! So I’ve booked some studio time for a songwriting session with my DJ friend Chris Keene and an artist called Sam Cullen. We’re going to write together.”
The best is yet to come
As her sixties approach, Boh’s aware of how fast the years are racing by and she wants to fit in as much creativity as possible. As well as new songs, she’s busy producing new designs for Boh Runga Jewellery, which has “Bohtiques” in Auckland’s Ponsonby Road and at the airport – and she still performs with her band Stellar*.
In August, Boh also teams up again with a crew of female musicians, including Fur Patrol’s Julia Deans and Dianne Swann, for three live gigs taking on iconic girl-power rock anthems from the likes of Blondie, the Eurythmics, Kate Bush and Madonna. Their band Atomic! will perform in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
“I like being at home, so to get me out of the house, it has to be something I really want to do and Atomic! is such a great time. We’re playing songs we love and it’s an amazing group of women to hang out with – everyone’s so funny.”
It’s a fulfilling stage of life.
Boh smiles, “I’ve travelled a lot, I’ve done lots of things and I’ve got great friends. Now I just want to make more music, and I want other people to come and make music here in our studio because it’s super-fun.”
Atomic! plays Christchurch on 13 August, Wellington on the 14th and Auckland on the 15th. For tickets, visit atomicconcert.com. For more info on the studio, visit oldnorthstudios.co.nz.
