Friday:

Illawarra Performing Arts Centre

Tickets: 4224 5999

Bic Runga has been a staple of the New Zealand music scene since she first hit the soundwaves in the late ‘90s with her singles Drive and Sway. She recently launched a new album, Belle, her first in five years.

How has your multicultural heritage influenced your songwriting?

I think being Chinese and Maori made me feel like a bit of a one-off, an individual, maybe an outsider. It’s not that common a mix. So I never felt pressure to conform to anything or try to be like anyone else. A lot of good music comes from feeling like an outsider, it always has.

On your new album, you composed songs with a range of artists. How does writing collaboratively differ from working alone?

Writing with other people is quite different to writing alone. You have to really let your guard down. It’s not the most comfortable thing at first but the results are often better because you have to get out of your comfort zone.

You had your son in 2007 and took a break from music for several years. How has motherhood changed your approach to music?

After spending five years as a full-time mum, I really feel the need for music more strongly than ever. Day to day life gets long, life is not always easy, if we didn’t have good music I think we’d all go mad.

It’s been five years since your last album, how has your sound changed?

It hasn’t changed too much, it’s still about songwriting and clear, honest melodies and lyrics.

What is your favourite song on your new album?

My favourite song is Everything is Beautiful and New which is about seeing the world from a new perspective after I had my son.

You’ve received a number of accolades, both within the music industry and outside of it, during your career. Which one is the most important to you?

The (New Zealand) Order of Merit was amazing, to be recognised for services to music. It’s nice to think of music as a service to the people!

You’ve been performing since 1996, when you were 20. What’s been the biggest change to your approach to music in that time?

I appreciate the work more, I love being on the road and being able to employ good crew and musicians who also love their jobs. It’s a tough business so you can’t be scared of hard work. You have to love the satisfaction you get from giving it everything that day.

Several of your songs have featured on film soundtracks. What’s it like hearing them while watching a movie?

Sway was used in the first American Pie movie and also the last one which just came out. I love seeing my songs in films. In some ways it’s the ultimate! Or at least it’s right up there with playing a really good live show. It really is fun.