19 June 2024
Julia Deans' career has seen her front one of New Zealand's most popular bands, Fur Patrol, release critically acclaimed solo albums, perform the works of iconic musicians Joni Mitchell and Jacques Brel, collaborate with The Adults, SJD and Neil Finn (among others) and perform classic albums live as part of Come Together.
After the announcement of four special Fur Patrol shows to mark the 20th anniversary of their second album Collider, I asked Julia to give us some insight into her musical life.
The first music to capture my ear was…
Eurythmics’ Love Is A Stranger
The three albums that make up the soundtrack to my childhood are…
Lindsay Yeo presents Buzz O’Bumble’s Favourite Children Songs
Million Sellers of the 60s Volumes 1 & 2 – Various artists. Mum had these on cassette, and they were thrashed.
Maggie Foster & Allen (and lots of other traditional Irish music)
My favourite album of 2024 (so far) is…
Ooooh, Anna Coddington's newbie Te Whakamiha – it's an absolute banger!
The album I wish I’d written is…
Mezzanine by Massive Attack
The musician I can listen to for hours is…
David Bowie
The album I’m most likely to press on a friend is….
Inspiration Information by Shuggie Otis
The piece of music I’ve studied most closely is…
Lydia. That’s not necessarily voluntary...
The line or two that always gets stuck in my head is…
Oh it changes hourly. But if I’m out walking, it’s often:
“Tahi rua toru wha,
Rima ono whitu waru
Iwa tikau, iwa tikau”
from Anika Moa’s Songs For Bubbas album. If I’m not already counting my steps in English.
The album I keep meaning to get around to listening to is…
Mel’s Parson’s new album Circling The City. I shamefully haven’t managed to eat the full serving in one sitting yet.
The song I have listened to the most is…
Lydia. That’s also not voluntary.
The last song I listened to is…
The Funeral by Band Of Horses
Stage or recording booth?
Both!
Album or playlist?
Album.
My composing process is…
Mood dependent!
Fur Patrol with special guest Tom Lark are playing at Nelson's Theatre Royal on Wednesday 5 September The Loon, Lyttleton on Friday 6 September, Double Whammy, Auckland on Saturday 7 September and at the Great Sounds Great festival in Wellington on Saturday 31 August.
