Paul McLaney on Honesty in Music

I'm never sure if my current line of thinking is based on the observation of the world around me or of some completely interior process. At the moment I'd like to believe that it is a subtle blend; omens and signals disguised as epiphanies and conclusions. As far as this relates to music and life as a musician in New Zealand, my thoughts run something like this:

It would seem to me that the two primary functions of music are entertainment and communication. It follows then that at least two questions are raised: 1. for whose entertainment; and 2. communicating what information?

1. For whose entertainment?

When we classify all music made by Kiwi artists as "New Zealand music" we are answering the first question "for the entertainment of New Zealanders." This seems somewhat exclusive and in no way offers any clue as to what the music might be saying.

Bands like The Mint Chicks and Die! Die! Die! are surely communicating a different voice than others like Dimmer or Fat Freddy's Drop. Sure, they share an affinity to a country, but then so do Iron Maiden and Lily Allen!

Is there some underlying fear that our music isn't at an international level? That the public wouldn't be able to find a Bic Runga album under "R" in the Rock & Pop section? It surely can't be that all New Zealand music sounds the same? Or should be viewed the same? While it might be argued that the place of your domicile informs the way you view the world I think it would be wrong for the world to view you purely in respect of where you live.

2. Communicating what information?

I'm feeling a shift here. Not so much in the manner of lyrical content but in the delivery of that content. The word "real" keeps popping up. What does it mean? I think it means different things at different times to different people. To me, at this present time, it means "honest".

Honesty is something that I want to hear more and more these days. It would seem to be the most conscientious manner of communication and the method by which you might best be believed. There is an endless stream of music that I don't believe in - fabricated soul-less radio focused noise that serves no other function than to advertise some manner of shallow tacky consumerism.

I think this is having another effect though: I can also see a rise in a younger audience searching out new music that they can believe in. "Real," "honest" music that strives to create some level of empathy and communion. This audience includes the kiwi writers and performers who populate and give voice to our cultural identity. It is an identity that I have always witnessed as one of beautiful integrity and optimism and one where we create our own meaning. I think it is inspiring.

We live in the world and the world is talking amongst itself; I think that music could once again be an arena in which that communication could take place. A lightning rod for cultural thought and feeling ­- songs that mean something.