Boh Runga’s Old North Studios brings musicians to rural Kumeū

“I’m just the tea lady,” she laughs. “It’s the best feeling having people come here to be creative and really enjoy it. I love hanging out with other musicians and there’s lots of banter – that’s the best bit really.”

Boh’s keen to bang out a few hits in her brand-new studio. Photo / Emily Chalk

All those months of lugging sheets of soundproof gib board around and painting walls now seem worthwhile. There’s plenty of space for big bands and even video shoots – already, Ardijah singer Betty-Anne Hall and her band have used the studio.

Boh’s given the place a cosy feel with beautiful rugs on the floor and a light-filled control room that overlooks their garden.

She explains, “We wanted to make it a friendly environment where people can feel relaxed. On a nice day, they can take a break to go hang out under the magnolia trees.”

In pride of place in the new studio is a vintage Sames upright piano, which Boh thinks is about 100 years old.

“I’d been hunting for a piano for ages. I found this one on Trade Me and although it’s in great condition, it’s not worth anything. It being free was highly attractive – it being ornate even more so. It’s gorgeous. So now I need to make time to get some lessons and improve my piano playing.”

Boh hopes that having a studio right next door to her home will kick-start the creation of new music.

“Troy has a folder full of ideas, so we started by recording something he and I wrote together, then released it as a kind of showcase for the studio. It’s called North and it’s quite dark rock, which is not normally my thing – I’m a very poppy, cheerful person! But I love how massive it sounds.”

Boh with Stellar* bandmates Chris van de Geer (left) and Kurt Shanks. Photo / Woman’s Day

She’s also planning to work on some projects of her own.

“Apart from this thing with Troy, I haven’t done any songwriting for a few years. I actually have to make the time for it! So I’ve booked some studio time for a songwriting session with my DJ friend Chris Keene and an artist called Sam Cullen. We’re going to write together.”

As her 60s approach, Boh’s aware of how fast the years are racing by and she wants to fit in as much creativity as possible. As well as new songs, she’s busy producing new designs for Boh Runga Jewellery, which has “Bohtiques” in Auckland’s Ponsonby Rd and at the airport – and she still performs with her band Stellar*.

In August, Boh also teams up again with a crew of female musicians, including Fur Patrol’s Julia Deans and Dianne Swann, for three live gigs taking on iconic girl-power rock anthems from the likes of Blondie, the Eurythmics, Kate Bush and Madonna. Their band Atomic! will perform in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

“I like being at home, so to get me out of the house, it has to be something I really want to do and Atomic! is such a great time. We’re playing songs we love and it’s an amazing group of women to hang out with – everyone’s so funny.”

It’s a fulfilling stage of life.

Boh smiles, “I’ve travelled a lot, I’ve done lots of things and I’ve got great friends. Now I just want to make more music, and I want other people to come and make music here in our studio because it’s super-fun.”

Atomic! plays Christchurch on August 13, Wellington on the 14th and Auckland on the 15th. For tickets, scan the QR code or visit atomicconcert.com. For more info on the studio, visit oldnorthstudios.co.nz.