19 January 2024 - 0 Comments

Aspiring Conversations, in its vibrant return after a six-year hiatus, proudly announces its first event as part of its 4-day, 14-event programme to be held 4-7 April. A gathering of curious minds with high-calibre speakers, writers, thinkers and artists, the festival is set to ignite discussions on a diverse and fascinating range of subjects and issues of today.

Kicking off the line-up is Tower of Song, featuring esteemed Kiwi songwriters Adam McGrath, Julia Deans, and Ebony Lamb and hosted by music reviewer, writer and broadcaster Grant Smithies.

In 1988, Leonard Cohen wrote a famous ballad about the difficulties of songwriting, something he considered a “heroic enterprise.” He imagined himself tied to a table in the Tower of Song, struggling to write lyrics that might resonate long after he was dead. He pictured one of his own musical heroes, country star Hank Williams, marooned in the same lonely place, dealing with identical problems- How do you transform complex emotions into sound? How do you pluck the right words and melodies from the air to make a song worth making?

In this session people can anticipate insights into the early experiences that set Adam McGrath, Ebony Lamb, and Julia Deans on their musical paths to thrive in this strange profession. The discussion will explore the stories behind their most cherished songs offering insights into the magic, inspiration and sometimes toil of creating great songs. Questions of depth, emotion, and the financial realities of being a songwriter in a digital age will be candidly addressed.

Tower of Song promises a sparkling fusion of conversation and live performances, as these gifted songwriters will not only speak about their craft but also treat the audience to renditions of their favourite compositions. Expect a celebration of the magic that occurs when songs are set free, becoming shared treasures able to evoke buried memories and powerful associations for every listener.

"Songwriters are human barometers compelled to make sense of the world. Some songs take three or four minutes, and some years. Writing music is something I'm compelled to do; it’s a mysterious gift that can be incredibly powerful and even life-changing for the writer and the receiver, I think that's why songwriting is so important.” - Ebony Lamb

Sponsored by Milford

The full programme for Aspiring Conversations will be released Monday 29 January at 7pm. Check it out at www.aspiringconversations.co.nz

Date: Sunday, April 7, 7:30 pm
Venue: Lake Wānaka Centre
Tickets: $35/$20 Students
Duration: 70 minutes, no interval
Tickets on sale Friday 2 February 8.30am.
For further information and ticket bookings, visit www.aspiringconversations.co.nz

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