Even though Wellington claims to have more cafés, bars and restaurants per capita than New York City, a good deal of its thriving (nightlife) culture takes place “behind the scenes”. Organizations such as the Eyegum Music Collective or the Home Economics Initiative – a collaboration of local musicians and artists – regularly host “living room concerts” or public house parties outside the commercial setting of bars and clubs.
During my first weeks of exploring Wellington's music scenes, I met Richard and Georgina, two underground musicians and the organizers of Home Economics, a semi-regular, not-for-profit art and music event which is held in different domestic spaces around Wellington city. By combining home craft, video art, sonic arts and music ranging from gamelan and acoustic folk to experimental and noise, Home Economics transforms a typical Wellington home into a thriving underground performance space.
Wellington’s Home Economics
My first Home Economics event took place in a private flat in the suburb of Newtown, which is situated in the southern part of Wellington. The former working-class suburb is now an attractive neighbourhood for immigrants, young families, students and artists. The event took place in what was once an old factory of some sort, but is now a spacious living area for up to six people. In DIY fashion, the inhabitants rebuilt the rooms themselves and converted them into a cosy, open living space with a communal kitchen, bathroom, toilet and a wood burner for the cold winter days.
The amalgamation of private and public space at Wellington’s house concerts not only creates a cosy and intimate ambience, but also allows the events to function like little “windows” into the musicians’ creative space, giving me a glimpse of what is going on behind Wellington’s (music) scenes.