When Bic Runga hears the chorus of her 1997 single Sway, she can’t help but laugh.
“How’s that snare drum?” she exclaims. “That’s a 90s snare. It’s almost Zooropa-era U2.”
It’s been 29 years since its release, but Runga still has an affection for her biggest song.
This piece of pop genius was huge at the time, appearing in both Dawson’s Creek and American Pie soon after its release.
More recently, it was reimagined as the multi-million streaming smash Sway My Way by R3hab and Amy Shark, and covered by beabadoobee for triple j’s Like A Version.
Beabadoobee covers Bic Runga ‘Sway’ for Like A Version
“I always play that song and I’m not sick of it yet,” she tells Double J’s Dylan Lewis about her first big hit.
“It’s still my little mate and it’s found its way and it’s cool. I owe a lot to that song.”
A long-awaited sunset
While we’re bound to hear that hit when the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame inductee sets out on an Australian tour this week, the real focus will be her new record, Red Sunset, released in February.
As it should be. Fans have waited long enough.
“It’s been 15 years since my last proper record,” Runga says.
“I didn’t really know what to make. It took so long because I didn’t want to repeat myself, I wanted to experiment with the sound a bit more.”
Bic Runga’s new album Red Sunset is her first album of original material since 2011’s Belle. (Supplied: The Orchard)
Runga did release an album called Close Your Eyes in 2016, a collection of 10 covers of the likes of Kanye West, The Beach Boys and The Meters, and a couple of original songs.
Releasing a full album of new material is a whole different challenge, and especially daunting when you haven’t done it in a while.
“It’s a relief,” Runga says about releasing the album.
“I mean, there’s something so inherently neurotic about spending that long on a record. I’m over myself now.
“There were definitely times where I thought I was never going to make anything again.”
To make the record, Runga went back to Paris, where she had spent time at the turn of the century.
Along with long-term partner Kody Nielson — a key part of acts like The Mint Chicks, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Silicon — and their children, she embarked on the ultimate working holiday.
“I took my whole family over and we rented a house and we took some recording gear,” she says.
“I’d lived in Paris about 25 years ago and I hadn’t shown it to my family, so I wanted to see it through my kids’ eyes. They just loved it so much.
“But there was something so different about this time. It feels a little bit more scary and apocalyptic than when I was there 25 years ago.
“It had just been flooding, so it was that vibe. It’s like the beautiful Paris you know, but kind of spooky and a little bit more urgent.”
Bic Runga, old pianos and 60s music in Paris
A vibe that no doubt inspired Paris In The Rain, a highlight from the new album with a glossy, late‑70s electronic sheen.
“I love Giorgio Moroder,” she said.
“I love all that sort of glamorous disco stuff. Because I’m ever so middle-aged now. That’s my buzz, you know?
“The bass line sounds kind of electronic, but actually it’s a really old piano that was in the apartment. Like a 200-year-old piano that was just in the apartment.
“I could have made an acoustic record but I wanted to make something that was a bit more fun.”
There’s a sharp urgency to one of the album’s highlights, Ghost In Your Bed. With a driving rhythm and infectious melody that harks back to 60s beat music.
“The bass line’s kind of banging,” Runga says.
“I kind of wanted to make something that sounded like something between Paint It Black and something by The Mamas and the Papas. I’m always mining 60s and 70s songs for inspiration.”
The titular ghost in the song is more psychological than paranormal.
“The lyric is about spooking yourself out in the middle of the night, and it’s only you that’s spooking yourself out,” Runga explains.
“So, the ghost in your bed is kind of you and your own creepy thoughts, I suppose.”
On the road again
Runga has shows in Australia this month for the first time in a couple of years, playing capital city theatres around the country with Nielson’s Silicon in support.
Heading back out on the road has an extra layer of excitement now that Runga is packing a whole new album.
“I’ll tell you what’s really good is having more songs to put in your live set,” she chirps.
“It’s actually really exciting.”
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After the touring is done, she’s determined to get back on the tools. It’s highly likely it won’t be another 15 years before we hear another new Bic Runga release.
“I’ve got another trip to Paris with the family, and I’m looking forward to that,” she says.
“And I want to make another record. Once we get started again, it’s quite addictive once you sort of get over the hump of it. So yeah, I’m really excited to make some more stuff.”
Bic Runga begins her tour in Melbourne on Thursday, April 9, before shows in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Fremantle.
Hear Dylan Lewis on Double J Arvos from 3pm weekdays on ABC listen.