Spotlight: Hahko Presents A Night With Lévyne

Tāmaki-based podcaster and electronic producer Hahko aka Isaac McFarlane is presenting and hosting the three-part, weekly A Night With . . series, wrapping up on Thursday 31st March at Karangahape Road's iconic Whammy Bar. Starring Lévyne, BEING. and Kane Strang in a seated, spaced-out setting, these events showcase intimate performances by and conversations with each respective artist, including audience Q&A sessions. Setting the scene for this week's concluding event, Hahko asked Lévyne aka Sophie Bialostocki to share a formative musical memory. Launching new single ‘I Don’t Think Its Me’ this Friday, read Lévyne's reflections below, grab tickets for Thursday's event while you can (the prior shows sold out) and scroll down for Hahko's thoughts around the project...

Lévyne Musical Memory — 'Blinking Lights (For Me)' by Eels

My brother put this song on a mixtape for me when I was about 8, and I listened to it on a plane for the first time when I went on holiday overseas. Every time I listen to it I can feel the same sense of wonder and excitement that I did back then, very childlike and like I was on a big adventure. I've always loved the instrumentation and combination of strings, percussive guitar noise and synths. I've never used it as a reference for any of my work or anything but in a funny way, it's all come back around into what I like to hear and to make in music as a producer and writer nowadays. Some ethereal blend of organic, synthesised, and orchestral. — Sophie Bialostocki / Lévyne

A Night With Lévyne
Thursday 31st March - Whammy Bar, Auckland
Tickets available HERE via UTR

Doors - 7.30pm
Artist & Hahko on stage - 8pm sharp
Audience Q&A - 9.30pm
These events are Red Alert safe, seated and socially distanced and as such only limited tickets are available.

'A Night With . .' raison d’etre

The through-line in my work for the last few years seems to be my attempt to highlight the voices and ideas of musicians in a way I think they are traditionally limited.

In a culture where the tools for making music have been democratised and simplified, I believe that the intention behind music has become far more interesting than the ability to execute the music creation itself.

When we lurched back into the Red Alert setting I was acutely aware of the crisis music venues would face. I believe the importance of physical spaces for music is not only the performances, but also allowing musicians to mix, mingle and interact. Things that are integral to any kind of cultural scene growing sustainably.

In an effort to help keep people continuing through the doors of Whammy Bar I combined my existing love of music and conversations and developed the idea of ‘A Night with . . ‘ as not only an exciting enjoyable event but one that works extremely well in the intimate seated and socially distanced setting we are existing within.

‘A Night with . . ‘ is the kind of show I’ve always wanted to see. A combination of live music, alternate versions, interviews and insights that allows a multi-dimensional view of some of NZ’s best music, and for the artists behind it to speak to their experiences on the other end.

Ultimately, I am a giant music fan and that is the energy I bring to everything I do, from the podcast to the Mt Noise community to these new events. I also understand how valuable it can be to allow musicians the time and space to articulate themselves beyond the tiny boxes they are usually kept in.

I am incredibly grateful to Whammy Bar and the amazing experiences i’ve had in their space, from performing myself to watching all-time favourites like King Gizzard, Wax Chattels, The Nae Nae Express and many many more on that stage. This is my attempt to show love and support for this wonderful venue, the tireless people that facilitate it and also teams like Undertheradar who do so much to support the functioning of a healthy grassroots music scene here in New Zealand. — Hahko