Junk Fest: Not At All Rubbish - In Conversation with Lara Marie from Junk Mail

FEATURE | INTERVIEW | PUORO O AOTEAROA / LOCAL MUSIC

Written by Elle Daji (she/her) | @elleelleelleelle_ | Contributing Writer

Illustration by Tashi Donnelly (she/her) | @tashi_rd | Feature Editor

These days, rangatahi are confronted with so much junk - political instability, job insecurity, a flailing economy and - shock horror - David Seymour. A whole lot of rubbish confronts our community. However, one event in 2024 broke me out of my existential funk: Junk Fest. And it's back for vol. 2, thank god! The brainchild of Junk Mail's Lara Marie, the gig brings together thirteen acts from across Aotearoa and Australia, proving the abundance of alternative music in our corner of the Pacific. 

I had the pleasure of speaking to Lara in St. Kevin's Arcade on a gloomy day brought to us by Cyclone Tam. My structured interview questions quickly dissolved into an easy conversation between two people passionate about the local music scene. The belief Lara has in the industry comes through in the unflinching way she articulates herself; it's magnetic. 

While Junk had its sell-out debut last year, the festival has roots in Lara's teenage years spent throwing all-ages gigs throughout Tāmaki Makaurau in places like UFO, Grey Lynn Library hall, and once a parking garage. Admittedly, it was not a great place for youth safety, but it was instrumental in developing young musicians. The impact of this community on her sense of self is clear as she states: 'I don't know how different my life would have been without access to DIY bands which were insane, or freaky or even I thought were terrible - but it's almost like learning a language. When you go to enough live music, you really start to learn about yourself.'

Junk is more than just another night spent gallivanting around our beloved Karangahape Road. The lineup dabbles in a range of fringe acts at various stages of their careers, meaning gig-goers can see their old favourites while discovering something new. Exposure to this is instrumental in crafting one's taste and perspective. It is clear that Lara sees Junk as having a central place in the culture; it is for the community more than anything. Local music can be an intimidating space to enter into, but she wants Junk to be open. A welcoming space that is really a celebration of everything imaginative and experimental. 

Lara explains that if she can get people to spend $45 to see thirteen bands and end up finding a new band to top their Spotify Wrapped, they might not be so put off when those musicians have their headline gig. Suddenly, the $30 ticket to an album release show seems less of a barrier to entry, reinforcing the tangible value of live music. Junk has positioned itself as the gateway drug to the alternative music space, and it's not just me that's hooked.

I, in fact, experienced this last year after hearing Awning's 'Gold Star' for the first time live  - a moment I'll never forget. The awe of stumbling into a room, not quite sure what you're in for and being astounded by something extraordinary. An experience that could never be replicated by finding something on a streaming service lost within the noise of everyday life. I expect this year's Junk to be much the same. 

But what kind of eclectic sounds might you be hearing from on June 7th? You are spoilt for choice. A range of raucous, noisy, shoegaze delights await you in the well-trodden corridors of the Whammy complex.

From Tāmaki Makaurau, the cathartic vocals and distorted guitar world of Cabinet, whose DIY recording style is sure to translate to a rowdy live show. Fresh-ish from the release of gbr2, I'm buzzing to hear the juxtaposing emo-electronic sounds of George Barney Roberts live. His narrative-heavy and vulnerable lyrics will make you want to dance till you cry. 

If you've been missing Pōneke emos Bleeding Star, I present you Dropper, which includes former member Jude Savage. Their fuzzy rock-noise sound is electric live, so says the YouTube video, which I found lurking in their Instagram bio. It can be difficult to find formal releases from up-and-coming bands, which is all the more incentive to dive head-first into their live universe.

Speaking of rock noise, I'm so excited to see Pearly* back up there after a year. Even listening to their self-titled EP will make you want to throw your body around, clashing with unwitting bystanders, and I yearn to do this in person. We also get the pleasure of duo Hōhā, which may translate to annoying, but their music is anything but. Their live sets meander between a more mellow, droning fusion of guitar and drums to heavier spontaneous moments.

If you were missing Fessh from last year's line up, never fear. You can see Eveline Breaker in two distinct projects, Girls Factory and Scrambline. The former is an EDM project, which I think Addison Rae would bump to. Check out their Bandcamp for kitschy 2000s graphics and the best music to listen to whilst getting ready for the festival. The latter a collaboration between Breaker and scramble204 is a distorted shoegaze dream that glides seamlessly between light, husky vocals through to darker, hectic guitar that you're sure to jump around to. 

Office Dog are an indie rock trio originally from Ōtepoti and my personal favourite addition to the canine references in New Zealand music, amidst the likes of This Dog, Blunt Dog, and Dogbox. The trio, led by Kane Strang, is a collaboration between the three members, each pushing and pulling each other to create a cohesive sound. 

Returning to junk this year, we have Ringlets and Salt Water Criminals, who have both blessed us recently with new work, both with entries into the 'dog music of New Zealand' hall of Fame. Back in March, Ringlets shared 'Heavenly Wheel' ahead of their second album, The Lord Is My Shepherd (Time For Walkies). Perhaps we will hear some sneak peeks of the upcoming album, or maybe I'm just hopeful. Salt Water Criminals is the project of Rueben Scott, whose live presence will permanently alter your listening experience with them. Put on your dancing shoes because you will be bashing into friends and strangers alike. Personal space is not a thing at an SWC show. I distinctly remember the girl next to me pulling me off the floor at last year's Junk, the mosh no longer a set of individuals but a joyous, rowdy hive mind. 

With all the Kiwis heading over to Australia, we finally have some coming to us with Twine and The Empty Threats. Lara expressed that she didn't see enough crossover between Australia and Aotearoa, spotting a missed opportunity for collaboration. Noting it would be really amazing to see bands flitting between the two countries, building relationships and expanding their reach in the process. 

If you think a violin doesn't belong in a noise rock band, Twine will prove you wrong. Returning quickly after touring NZ in February, they're back, with their innovative and shocking genre-bending sound. The Empty Threats have a frenetic live presence that informed their latest work and upcoming album 'Happy Birthday,' releasing in July later this year. Junk will be the perfect taste of what's to come from the post-punk band. 

Finally, Junk Mail's own Vera Ellen will be taking the stage, always polished with a pinch of whimsy in their live presence to break up their gut-wrenching lyrics. Every time I've seen them live, I have seen someone shed a tear, and they aren't just mine. Vera moves seamlessly from heavy and more punk moments to ballads, always informed by sharp, unwavering, raw lyrics. The emotional release from a Vera Ellen show will forego the need for therapy on Monday, all for the small share of $45. 

Finally, I give Lara the small feat of describing her hope for the New Zealand Music industry. In a sentence - 'One day I want to walk down Queen Street and ask people who is your favourite New Zealand artist, and I want to hear someone who isn't six60 or Stan Walker.' The thirteen acts on display at Junk Fest are definitely in the running to be your next top artist. 

Tickets for JUNKFEST Vol.2 are available on undertheradar.co.nz